The History Herald: They Did What!?! Crazy Medical Treatments From History!

Extra! Extra! Learn All About it! In this 4 day course, we will travel back in time and explore some of the craziest and most dangerous medical procedures and treatments that were ever done!  Leaches, Lobotomies, & More!

Almost too crazy to be true! Come join us as we explore some of the most outlandish medical ideas that were actually used to "heal" people. Without advanced science, people back in time were forced to rely on stories and ideas that had very little to no medical backing. Because of this, some of the procedures and medicine they promoted were not only wrong but could kill or really hurt the patients! 

Part I: Oh My!
- Trepanation (Head drilling)
- Spontaneous Combustion
- Opium
- Electrocution

Part II: So Gross!
- Mummy Medicine
- Urine
- Number Two (Ewww!)


Part III: Are You Serious?
- Arsenic
- Nicotine 
- Tongue Removal for Speech Issues (Yes, I am serious)
- Soap for Weight Loss

Part IV: Shake Your Head
-Bloodletting
-Chocolate
-Poison, Poison, and More Poison

This class will use interactive discussion, presentations, and activities to bring this historical topic to life. We will use deductive reasoning and critical thinking to work out why the people believed that these types of medicine or procedures were believed to be helpful. We will also connect the topic to our own discoveries and discuss how things have changed. We will use the classes to spurn creative ideas on some silly and gross and just plain silly treatments and procedures we could come up with today.  

This is a history class, so historical reasoning and skills will be utilized and strengthened throughout the class, but the lesson is also set up to spur creative conversation between peers. So come join us for some seriously scary medical stories through history!