Medicine has come a long way, and thank goodness for that. Today, we take antibiotics, undergo laser surgeries, and use advanced diagnostic machines that can see inside the body without a single incision. But if you travel back a few centuries, medicine looked more like trial-and-error mixed with a dash of superstition.
Here’s the twist though: some of those bizarre treatments—despite sounding absurd—actually worked. From maggots to mold, let’s take a closer look at history’s weirdest medical practices that saved lives.
Maggot Therapy: Tiny Healers with Big Results
When you hear “maggots,” your first instinct might be disgust. But in battlefield hospitals during the American Civil War, doctors noticed that soldiers whose wounds had been infested with maggots often healed better than those without.
It turns out maggots aren’t just freeloaders—they eat dead tissue while leaving healthy tissue untouched. This prevents infections and speeds up healing. Today, sterile maggot therapy is still used in hospitals for chronic wounds and ulcers when antibiotics aren’t enough.
Moldy Bread Bandages
Long before penicillin was discovered in 1928, ancient Egyptians were unknowingly putting mold to work. They applied moldy bread directly to wounds as a kind of natural antibiotic. The mold, in fact, contained penicillium, the same fungus Alexander Fleming later identified as the source of penicillin.
So while it might sound like something from a questionable kitchen, those moldy bandages sometimes meant the difference between life and death.
Leeches for Bloodletting (and Beyond)
Leeches have been used in medicine for thousands of years. While the old idea of “balancing humors” by sucking out blood has been debunked, modern medicine still uses leeches—just in a different way.
Today, leech therapy is employed in reconstructive surgery. Their saliva contains anticoagulants that keep blood flowing in delicate tissue, such as after skin grafts or reattaching fingers. They might look creepy, but these little creatures can help save limbs.
Trepanation: Drilling into the Skull
This one sounds terrifying: for thousands of years, doctors treated migraines, seizures, or “evil spirits” by drilling a hole in the skull—a practice known as trepanation.
While it was often dangerous, trepanation sometimes worked to relieve pressure inside the skull from injuries or swelling. In fact, neurosurgeons today perform a safer version of the procedure, called a craniotomy, to treat brain trauma or bleeding. It’s a case where an ancient, bizarre method evolved into a modern lifesaving technique.
Mercury: Dangerous, Yet Sometimes Effective
Mercury is highly toxic, but it wasn’t always known to be dangerous. In the past, it was used to treat syphilis, a disease that plagued Europe for centuries. Mercury ointments and pills often caused poisoning, but in some cases, they did suppress the bacteria enough to relieve symptoms.
Though far from safe, this crude treatment was one of the few options available before antibiotics were developed. Thankfully, we now have penicillin instead of poison.
Foxglove and the Heart
Foxglove, a beautiful flowering plant, was once used in folk remedies for dropsy (swelling caused by heart failure). In the 18th century, physician William Withering studied it systematically and found it actually worked.
Foxglove contains digitalis, a compound still used today in heart medications to regulate heartbeat and improve circulation. What began as a “weird” herbal remedy turned into one of the most important contributions to cardiology.
Spider Web Bandages
In parts of ancient Greece and Rome, spider webs were used to dress wounds. While it sounds odd, spider silk is rich in vitamin K, which helps blood clot. It also acted as a natural barrier against dirt and germs.
Modern scientists have studied spider silk for potential use in sutures because it’s strong, flexible, and biocompatible. Who knew something so creepy could be so useful?
The Strange Wisdom of the Past
Not every historical treatment was effective—plenty were downright dangerous. But these examples remind us that even in the midst of superstition and trial-and-error, people stumbled upon discoveries that paved the way for modern medicine.
It’s a fascinating reminder: sometimes the strangest ideas hold the seeds of future breakthroughs. Next time you hear about a medical experiment that sounds odd, remember—maggots, moldy bread, and spider webs once sounded just as strange, yet they ended up saving lives.