Medical Horrors of History (#5 Will Especially Shock You)

From drinking gladiator blood to lobotomies, humanity's quest for cures has led us down some dark, twisted paths. You’re unlikely to know about the ones we’ll cover!
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In ancient Rome, the Colosseum was the go-to spot for brutal combat and public spectacle. Gladiators clashed in fierce battles, their struggles a form of entertainment for the eager crowd.

Amidst the violence, a peculiar belief took hold: that the blood of a gladiator had healing powers. We’ll just let modern medical systems take notes for a moment… ok!

Romans believed that this blood could cure various ailments, from infertility to weakness. In a society fixated on vitality, the idea of seeking life from the throes of death was oddly fitting.

Spectators would scramble to collect the spilled blood, convinced it would rejuvenate them.

As gladiators fought and bled, their blood was seen as a remedy and a chance to absorb their strength and courage. But let's consider the desperation that led to such practices.

However, as time progressed, the popularity of gladiator fights declined, and with it, the practice of drinking their blood.

The empire crumbled, and this once-common belief faded into obscurity. So much for that miracle cure.

Are there modern examples of people drinking the blood of others? Aside from occultists, there is one example of a Japanese man who would drink donated blood in order to survive, on account of his unique medical condition.

At least this blood was donated willingly. The brain matter in our next medical practice probably wasn’t..

From drinking gladiator blood to lobotomies, humanity's quest for cures has led us down some dark, twisted paths. You’re unlikely to know about the ones we’ll cover!
_________

In ancient Rome, the Colosseum was the go-to spot for brutal combat and public spectacle. Gladiators clashed in fierce battles, their struggles a form of entertainment for the eager crowd.

Amidst the violence, a peculiar belief took hold: that the blood of a gladiator had healing powers. We’ll just let modern medical systems take notes for a moment… ok!

Romans believed that this blood could cure various ailments, from infertility to weakness. In a society fixated on vitality, the idea of seeking life from the throes of death was oddly fitting.

Spectators would scramble to collect the spilled blood, convinced it would rejuvenate them.

As gladiators fought and bled, their blood was seen as a remedy and a chance to absorb their strength and courage. But let's consider the desperation that led to such practices.

However, as time progressed, the popularity of gladiator fights declined, and with it, the practice of drinking their blood.

The empire crumbled, and this once-common belief faded into obscurity. So much for that miracle cure.

Are there modern examples of people drinking the blood of others? Aside from occultists, there is one example of a Japanese man who would drink donated blood in order to survive, on account of his unique medical condition.

At least this blood was donated willingly. The brain matter in our next medical practice probably wasn’t..

From drinking gladiator blood to lobotomies, humanity's quest for cures has led us down some dark, twisted paths. You’re unlikely to know about the ones we’ll cover!
_________

In ancient Rome, the Colosseum was the go-to spot for brutal combat and public spectacle. Gladiators clashed in fierce battles, their struggles a form of entertainment for the eager crowd.

Amidst the violence, a peculiar belief took hold: that the blood of a gladiator had healing powers. We’ll just let modern medical systems take notes for a moment… ok!

Romans believed that this blood could cure various ailments, from infertility to weakness. In a society fixated on vitality, the idea of seeking life from the throes of death was oddly fitting.

Spectators would scramble to collect the spilled blood, convinced it would rejuvenate them.

As gladiators fought and bled, their blood was seen as a remedy and a chance to absorb their strength and courage. But let's consider the desperation that led to such practices.

However, as time progressed, the popularity of gladiator fights declined, and with it, the practice of drinking their blood.

The empire crumbled, and this once-common belief faded into obscurity. So much for that miracle cure.

Are there modern examples of people drinking the blood of others? Aside from occultists, there is one example of a Japanese man who would drink donated blood in order to survive, on account of his unique medical condition.

At least this blood was donated willingly. The brain matter in our next medical practice probably wasn’t..