HISTORY

An Exploration into the Unfathomable World of Disturbing Victorian Medicine

Bloodletting, arsenic treatments, heroin supplements and electrotherapy are just the tip of the gruesome iceberg.

The interior of a hospital dissecting room in London, with lines of cadavers on benches. Photograph. Work ID: u6xz27dn. Look and Learn, Creative Commons Attribution only licence CC BY 4.0

The Victorian era represents a time of significant progress and innovation. They revolutionised human life more than any other group of people to come before them. However, it was also a time of rampant quackery and bizarre medical practices that would shock and disgust modern prespectives. In this exploration, we will delve into the bizarre world of Victorian medicine and examine some practices that were once common but unimaginable.

Trepanation

Surgical instruments for trepanation. Engraving with etching. Surgical instruments and apparatus. Work ID: yaqy53re. Look and Learn History Picture Archive. Creative Commons Attribution only licence CC BY 4.0

Trepanation is the Victorian practice of drilling or cutting a hole through the skull to expose the brain. Although the practice was popularised by the Victorians, it actually dates back to around 6000 B.C. and is considered one of the oldest forms of brain surgery. Trepanation surgery was used for a variety of reasons, some more scientifically grounded than others, like the idea that it could release pressure on the brain…