18 simultaneously frightening and fascinating photos of medicine of the past

We are already used to the fact that modern medicine has made incredible progress, the drugs and techniques we are familiar with no longer seem like miracles. But in the old days, doctors knew very little about the human body, and there were many charlatans among them. Therefore, some of the medical procedures that existed at that time were incredibly strange and painful. One should only be glad that we live in the XXI century and can enjoy the benefits of modern scientific achievements!

In psychiatric clinics, patients were swaddled in wet blankets to calm them down.

A medical worker's suit from the X-ray room, presumably 1918.

In order to avoid the development of rickets, children were irradiated with ultraviolet radiation in winter, 1925.

Dr. Lewis Sayre treats scoliosis. Photos from the time of Victorian England.

Dr. Clark's spinal apparatus was advertised in 1878 as a device that allows people with back problems to walk for several minutes (or even hours) a day.

A portable defibrillator from the 1960s.

Physiotherapy, 1920s.

Operations were not always performed under anesthesia. Patients were given only a little ether before the operation, that's all anesthesia. Photo of the amputation was made presumably in 1885.

Anatomical model of a pregnant woman, the 80s of the 17th century. And the coffin-shaped case served as a reminder that it is possible to study anatomy only on deceased people.

A European birthing chair, circa 1750.

Wheelchair, 1915.

Therapeutic radioactive water, circa 1928.

Prosthetic leg, 1890.

Prosthetic hand, circa 1800.

The apparatus "Iron lungs", 1950-ies. Before the invention of the polio vaccine, young patients were placed in an Iron Lung machine that simulated breathing.

Medical heroin, which was sold by Bayer in the 1890s.

Painkillers with cocaine.

A special jar for leeches, the beginning of the 19th century.