Benjamin Rush: The Founding Father of American Psychiatry
Benjamin Rush (1746-1813) wasn’t just a signer of the Declaration of Independence; he was also a pioneering physician who laid the groundwork for modern psychiatry in America. Born near Philadelphia to Quaker parents, Rush received his medical degree from the University of Edinburgh in 1768 b
The Goldwater Rule: A Tale of Psychiatric Scandals and Ethics
This is the tale of the Goldwater Rule that proves sometimes the doctors are crazier than the patients! In the sweltering summer of 1964, the psychiatric community found itself at the center of a scandal that would shake the very foundations of professional ethics. Barry Goldwater, the Republican ca
Johann Christian Reil: The Mad Genius Who Coined “Psychiatry”
Johann Christian Reil (1759–1813) wasn’t your average 18th-century doctor. He was the kind of guy who looked at the chaos of the human mind and thought, “You know what this needs? A whole new field of medicine.” And so, in 1808, he coined the term “psychiatry”—a word derived from the G
Donald Ewen Cameron: The Man Who Put the “Shock” in Shock Therapy
Buckle up, buttercups, for the wild ride that is Donald Ewen Cameron. Born in 1901 in Scotland, little Donnie Cameron grew up dreaming of being a doctor. But why cure boring old diseases when you can play God with people’s minds? By the 1950s, our boy Ewen had climbed the psychiatric ladder fa
Egas Moniz: The Controversial Father of Psychosurgery
AntĂłnio Caetano de Abreu Freire Egas Moniz (1874-1955) was a Portuguese neurologist who left an indelible, if controversial, mark on the field of psychiatry. Born in Avanca, Portugal, Moniz studied medicine at the University of Coimbra, graduating in 1899. Moniz’s career was multifaceted: -Pr
The Dark Side of the Scalpel: A Sinister History of Prison Plastic Surgery
In the shadows of correctional facilities, a chilling chapter of medical history unfolded – one that modern narratives conveniently gloss over. Prison plastic surgery programs, far from being benign attempts at rehabilitation, were rooted in disturbing practices that blurred the lines between
Gaspare Tagliacozzi – the man who gave “drop-dead gorgeous” a whole new meaning
Meet Gaspare Tagliacozzi, the 16th-century Italian surgeon who decided that noses were overrated as mere breathing apparatus and should double as art projects. This Renaissance Picasso of the scalpel made a name for himself by turning the faces of Bologna’s elite into his personal canvas. Tagl
Tree Huggers: When Nature Takes It Literally
In the quiet corners of forests worldwide, trees are engaging in their own version of romance. It’s called inosculation, and it is nature’s answer to the artificial process of grafting. Inosculation and grafting are like botanical cousins. Both involve the fusion of plant tissues, creati
Omenn Syndrome: When Your Body Throws Its Own Surprise Party
Imagine your immune system as an overzealous party planner, but instead of organizing a fun bash, it’s staging a revolt against your own body. Welcome to the world of Omenn syndrome, where your T cells decide to go rogue and treat your organs like they’re uninvited guests. These rebellio
The Lady Who Brought Pox to the PartyÂ
Picture this: It’s 1717, and Lady Mary Wortley Montagu is living her best life in Constantinople, sipping Turkish coffee and learning about the latest beauty trends when she stumbles upon a local practice that would change medical history forever. Instead of bringing back exotic spices or fanc
Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) is divided into acute and chronic forms
Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) is a syndrome, characterized by inflammation in different organs. GvHD is commonly associated with bone marrow transplants and stem cell transplants. Not to be confused with Host-versus-graft disease. White blood cells of the donor’s immune system which
In the case of GVHD, maculopapular rash may progress to a condition similar to toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN)
Together with Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS) it forms a spectrum of disease, with TEN being more severe. Early symptoms include fever and flu-like symptoms. A few days later the skin begins to blister and peel forming painful raw areas. Mucous membranes, such as the m
Maculopapular rash is seen in graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)Â
A maculopapular rash is a type of rash characterized by a flat, red area on the skin that is covered with small confluent bumps. It may only appear red in lighter-skinned people. The term “maculopapular” is a compound: macules are small, flat discolored spots on the surface of the
before the medical police
Before the concept of “medical police” emerged in 18th-century Germany, public health measures in Europe were a patchwork of practices rooted in religion, superstition, rudimentary science, and localized governance. These efforts were reactive, fragmented, and often tied to immediate cri
Thorazine: chemical straitjacket
This is the absolutely bonkers tale of Thorazine, the wonder drug that turned mental hospitals into zombie discos! Picture this: It’s the 1950s, and French scientists are busy cooking up antihistamines like they’re trying to win a sneezing contest. But oops! They accidentally create a dr
The Merry-go-round from hell for the mentally unstable
Picture this: It’s 1810, and ol’ Benny Rush, fresh off his success with the Tranquilizing Chair, thinks to himself, “You know what would really cure madness? A merry-go-round from hell!” Enter the Gyrator, a centrifugal spinning board designed to improve circulation to the br