Quacks and Con Artists

People have always needed doctors. But the doctors of the past might not look like the doctors you are used to seeing!

Sometimes their healing methods were weird, disgusting, or even dangerous.

Doctors in the Middle Ages sniffed patients' urine to diagnose disease, and barbers might cut off a person's injured arm or leg.

The ancient Chinese fought smallpox by blowing powdered pus up the nose.

Many of these old remedies turned out to be dangerous, but others paved the way for modern blood transfusions, vaccines, and anesthetics.

If you're not too squeamish, read this book to learn more about the history of doctors!