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 Party
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)
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
Sensory Deprivation toilet chair for the Mentally Unstable
Imagine walking into a room and seeing a contraption that looks like a cross between a medieval torture rack and a porta-potty. Welcome to Benjamin Rush’s Tranquilizing Chair, the 18th century’s answer to the question, “How can we make mental illness even more fun… for us?
Average body temperature dropped every decade since the 1800s and even more every decade since 1960
Attention, fellow humans! It’s time to chill out… literally! 🧊 Our bodies are on a cosmic cooldown, and it’s not just because we’ve all become walking popsicles addicted to air conditioning. Oh no, this is far more sinister and hilarious than that! The Great American Refri
Royal Jelly & Silkworm Droppings: The Buzz and the Poop of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Get ready, because we’re about to dive into the most unhinged yet scientifically fascinating duo in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): Royal Jelly (the queen bee’s secret sauce) and Silkworm Droppings (yes, bug poop, but make it medicinal). These two are the Beyoncé
Evans blue
T-1824 or Evans blue, often incorrectly rendered as Evan’s blue, is an azo dye that has a very high affinity for serum albumin. Because of this, it can be useful in physiology in estimating the proportion of body water contained in blood plasma. It fluoresces with excitation peaks