Terrrifying Antique Devices for Straightening the Human Spine

No, these aren’t medieval torture devices! In an 1848 issue of the British medical journal The Lancet*, Dr. John Bishop describes the history of medical approaches to straightening out spinal deformities. The unifying premise is that the spinal column can be stretched and then heal in its new position.

Dr. Bishop is, as you might hope, skeptical of the value of these treatments. He argues that this flawed understanding of human physiology encourages women in particular to bind their bodies with corsets into unnatural and unhealthy shapes.


(Video Link)

-via Retronaut

*Bishop, John. “On the Causes, Pathology, and Treatment of Deformities in the Human Body.” The Lancet 1.22 (1848): 574-579. Google Books. Web. 11 Nov. 2013.


Login to comment.
Click here to access all of this post's 0 comments




Email This Post to a Friend
"Terrrifying Antique Devices for Straightening the Human Spine"

Separate multiple emails with a comma. Limit 5.

 

Success! Your email has been sent!

close window
X

This website uses cookies.

This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By using this website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

I agree
 
Learn More