As time marches on, everything around us changes.
Technology, infrastructure, travel, and of course, medicine are ever-evolving industries. Now we know times have changed, but looking back at some of these old medical devices you'd be shocked to learn that while most of them aren't torture devices, they sure do appear to resemble them.
From plague masks to iron lungs, here are some of the most out-there medical devices ever used by doctors.
1
Masks worn by doctors during the Plague. The beaks held scented substances to mask the scent of death and dying.
2
"Dissection room at a medical school in Bordeaux, France." Circa 1890
3
Children in an iron lung before the advent of the polio vaccination. Many children lived for months in these machines, though not all survived. c. 1937
4
Corset damage to a ribcage. 19th century London
5
Dr. Kilmer's Female Remedy
6
Tanning babies at the Chicago Orphan Asylum, 1925, to offset winter rickets
7
Selection of some items used to disguise facial injuries. Early plastic surgery.
8
Woman with an artificial leg, too embarrassed to show her face c. 1890-1900
9
Wooden prosthetic hand, c. 1800
10
Blood transfusion bottle, England 1978
11
Dr. Clark's Spinal Apparatus advertisement, 1878
12
Neurological exam with electrical device, c. 1884
14
"Walter Reed physiotherapy store" 1920's
15
US Civil War surgeon's kit
16
Boy in rolling "invalid cart" c. 1915
18
Claude Becks early defibulator
19
Antique birthing chair used until the 1800s
20
Knives for surgery, China, 1801-1920.
21
Anatomical Model. Doctors were not allowed to touch the women's bodies, so they would point to describe pain locations
22
Radiology nurse technician, WWI France 1918
23
1855-1860. One of first surgical procedures using ether as an anesthetic
24
Rush Medical College lecture auditorium, 1900, Chicago
25
Lewis Sayre's scoliosis treatment
