Tag Archives: medical

20 Vintage Photos of Iron Lungs for Polio Victims From Between the 1930s and 1950s

In the early 20th century, polio was one of the most feared diseases in industrialized countries, paralysing hundreds of thousands of children every year. A highly infectious disease, polio attacks the nervous system and can lead to paralysis, disability and even death. The symptoms – pain and weakness, fatigue and muscle loss – can strikeContinue reading “20 Vintage Photos of Iron Lungs for Polio Victims From Between the 1930s and 1950s”

125 Reasons You Could End Up in a Lunatic Asylum in the 19th Century

Reasons for admission into the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in West Virginia from 1864 to 1889 included laziness, egotism, disappointed love, female disease, mental excitement, cold, snuff, greediness, imaginary female trouble, “gathering in the head,” exposure and quackery, jealousy, religion, asthma, masturbation, and bad habits. Spouses used lunacy laws to rid themselves of their partners andContinue reading “125 Reasons You Could End Up in a Lunatic Asylum in the 19th Century”

40 Amazing Photos of the 1918 Spanish Flu

Spanish flu, also known as the Great Influenza epidemic or the 1918 influenza pandemic, was an exceptionally deadly global influenza pandemic caused by the H1N1 influenza A virus. The earliest documented case was March 1918 in Kansas, United States, with further cases recorded in France, Germany and the United Kingdom in April. Two years later,Continue reading “40 Amazing Photos of the 1918 Spanish Flu”

Before and After Photo Comparisons of Lobotomy Patients

Today, the word “lobotomy” is rarely mentioned. If it is, it’s usually the butt of a joke. But in the 20th century, a lobotomy became a legitimate alternative treatment for serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia and severe depression. Physicians even used it to treat chronic or severe pain and backaches. There’s a surprising historyContinue reading “Before and After Photo Comparisons of Lobotomy Patients”

18 Harrowing Photographs of Heroin Addicts in New York in the 1960s

In February 1965, LIFE magazine published an extraordinary photo essay on two New York City heroin addicts, John and Karen. Photographed by Bill Eppridge, the pictures — and the accompanying article, reported and written by LIFE associate editor James Mills — were part of a two-part series on narcotics in the United States. A sensitive,Continue reading “18 Harrowing Photographs of Heroin Addicts in New York in the 1960s”

Miss Correct Posture: Pictures From a Chiropractor’s Beauty Contest in Chicago in 1956

Beauty contests were a way for people, places and businesses to celebrate events, highlight pop culture and promote various products or ideas. In the 1950s and 1960s, chiropractors around the United States found themselves with a PR problem. So they decided to utilize beauty contests as a way to legitimize their profession. Through these pageantsContinue reading “Miss Correct Posture: Pictures From a Chiropractor’s Beauty Contest in Chicago in 1956”

15 Incredible Vintage Photos of People Getting X-Rays Over the Decades

The world first learned about X-rays 120 years ago. Despite the danger, however, the judicious use of X-rays allowed great medical progress in diagnosis and treatment alike—not to mention numerous non-medical uses. Here are 15 vintage images of X-rays at work over the decades.

31 Terrifying Photos Showing the Early Days of Dentistry

People calling themselves dentists appeared in the late 1700s, though the profession wouldn’t be licensed for about 100 years. Before dentistry was licensed, doctors addressed tooth health. And before there were doctors, things were pretty dicey. If you think going to the dentist today is scary, imagine a guy with a bloody apron approaching youContinue reading “31 Terrifying Photos Showing the Early Days of Dentistry”