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societyMar 4, 20261:29:23pending

Old Time Medicine

About this episode

Before WebMD convinced you that your headache is terminal, medicine used to be… absolutely unhinged. This week we dive headfirst into the horrifying, hilarious world of Old Time Medicine—when doctors prescribed heroin for coughs, crocodile poop for birth control, and thought the best way to diagnose illness was by drinking your pee like a fine wine. From arsenic beauty wafers to tapeworm diet pills, humanity spent centuries confidently poisoning itself in the name of “science.” We explore the weird cures, the gross treatments, and the moments where medicine was basically guessing with confidence. Spoiler: somehow we survived long enough to invent antibiotics.

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Life can get overwhelming, and talking to a professional can make a huge difference. BetterHelp connects you with licensed therapists online so you can get support from the comfort of your own home. It’s flexible, convenient, and designed to fit your schedule. If you’re thinking about starting therapy, give BetterHelp a try and see if it works for you. Visit BetterHelp.com/BROHIO today to get 10% off your first month.

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Old Time Medicine

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