Strange Medieval Medical Cures That Belong in a Horror Story
The medieval period, spanning from the 5th to the late 15th century, was an era rich in mystery, superstition, and bizarre practices. Medical knowledge was rudimentary at best, deeply entangled with religious beliefs, astrological influences, and fear of the unknown. For horror enthusiasts, the strange and grotesque cures of this era offer a fascinating look into the macabre—and sometimes disturbing—world of medieval medicine.
In this post, we’ll delve into some of the strangest medieval medical cures that sound like they came straight out of a horror novel.
1. Bloodletting: A Delicate Dance with Death
Bloodletting was one of the most common medical treatments during the medieval period, believed to balance the body’s four humors: blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile. According to the ancient medical theory, an imbalance in these humors was responsible for illness.
How it worked:
A physician would slice into a vein or use leeches to drain a “calculated” amount of blood from the patient. Often, a vein in the arm or neck was used, and the amount of blood removed depended on the patient’s symptoms.
Why it’s horrific:
Imagine lying on a straw bed, already feverish and weak, as a doctor stands over you, draining more blood from your body—believing it will make you stronger. Bloodletting frequently resulted in shock, infections, and death. The practice was a delicate line between life and death, making it a perfect plot device for horror fans. It wasn’t uncommon for bloodletting to be fatal, especially for patients who were already weakened by disease.
Dark twist for a horror story: A doctor obsessed with finding the perfect balance of humors in his patients might become a bloodthirsty madman, convinced that draining them dry is the only cure.
2. The Cure for Epilepsy: A Touch of Corpse
Epilepsy, also known as the “falling sickness” in medieval times, was widely misunderstood. Seizures were often attributed to demonic possession or divine punishment. The medieval cure for epilepsy was as eerie as the disease itself: consuming a potion made from human remains.
How it worked:
Medieval physicians recommended drinking a concoction of blood from a recently executed criminal, or worse, consuming powdered skulls. It was believed that the spirit of the deceased would help calm the seizures.
Why it’s horrific:
The image of a doctor grinding human bones into powder or collecting fresh blood from an execution site is chilling. It turns desperate patients into unknowing participants in a ritual that feels more like witchcraft than medicine. The macabre use of human remains creates an atmosphere of dark magic, perfectly suited for a horror story.
Dark twist for a horror story: What if the spirits of those consumed for these potions haunt the patients, slowly driving them mad as they seek vengeance?
3. Trepanation: Drilling Holes in the Skull
Trepanation is one of the oldest forms of surgery, dating back to prehistoric times, but it was still practiced in medieval Europe. Physicians believed that cutting or drilling a hole in a patient’s skull could relieve pressure from head injuries, cure epilepsy, or even release evil spirits.
How it worked:
Without anaesthesia or advanced surgical tools, a hole was carved into the skull using rudimentary instruments. Patients were often conscious during the procedure, enduring immense pain while the doctor cut into their cranium.
Why it’s horrific:
The idea of a conscious person having their skull slowly bored into is horrifying enough. Add to that the medieval surgical environment—a dirty room, the smell of blood and infection, the sound of bone cracking—and you have a scene straight from a nightmare. The crude and barbaric nature of trepanation, combined with its dubious efficacy, creates a terrifying image of medieval surgery.
Dark twist for a horror story: A botched trepanation surgery could release not just pressure, but something far darker—a malevolent entity that takes over the patient’s mind, wreaking havoc on everyone around them.
4. Goat Dung and Dead Mice: The Cures for the Plague
The Black Death swept through Europe in the 14th century, killing millions and leaving physicians scrambling for any kind of cure. Some of their desperate treatments sound like something from a witch’s grimoire.
How it worked:
One such remedy involved smearing a paste made from goat dung and vinegar on the swellings caused by the plague. Another remedy called for placing a dead chicken (sometimes still alive) on the sores to draw out the disease. As if that wasn’t enough, some medieval texts recommended mixing powdered emeralds into drinks to ward off the plague. Other strange concoctions included grinding up dead mice or using a mixture of human excrement.
Why it’s horrific:
The idea of slathering infected, oozing sores with dung or applying a decaying animal carcass is truly nauseating. Not only were these treatments revolting, but they often exacerbated the spread of the disease by introducing even more bacteria into the wound. The combination of filth, rot, and desperation paints a grim and grotesque picture of medieval life during a plague outbreak.
Dark twist for a horror story: What if the infected sores, after being smeared with such bizarre substances, began to fester in a way no one expected—transforming into monstrous, sentient growths that spread their own kind of contagion?
5. Toothache? Try Burning the Nerves with a Hot Iron
Dental care in the Middle Ages was just as brutal as other forms of medical treatment. People suffering from a toothache or infected gums often had their teeth pulled, but for those hoping to save their teeth, the cure was worse than the pain itself.
How it worked:
If you didn’t want a tooth pulled, the medieval alternative was to burn out the nerve. This was done by inserting a red-hot iron directly into the affected tooth, essentially cauterising the pain away.
Why it’s horrific:
Imagine the smell of burning flesh, the searing pain, and the sound of sizzling nerves as a hot iron is pressed into your tooth. No anesthesia, no painkillers—just you, a glowing piece of iron, and the agonizing wait for it to stop. It’s easy to see how a medieval dental visit could turn into a gruesome chapter in a horror novel.
Dark twist for a horror story: A dentist who delights in this barbaric practice might develop a taste for the suffering of his patients, seeking out new and inventive ways to cause pain in the name of “healing.”
6. Mandrake Root: Poison or Cure?
The mandrake root was believed to possess powerful magical properties. It was used in many medieval medicines as a sedative or anesthetic. However, harvesting the root was a risky business, as legend had it that the mandrake would scream when uprooted, killing anyone who heard its cry.
How it worked:
Medieval physicians believed that mandrake root, when properly harvested, could be used to induce sleep or cure melancholy. The catch? If the root screamed and you didn’t take precautions, you would die. The solution was to tie the root to an animal, usually a dog, and let it pull the root out while you blocked your ears.
Why it’s horrific:
The idea of a plant that screams when uprooted and kills those nearby is a perfect blend of botany and the supernatural. The use of the mandrake in medicine adds a layer of dark folklore to an already mysterious world. Its potential for deadly consequences makes it a compelling element in any horror setting.
Dark twist for a horror story: What if the mandrake’s scream didn’t just kill, but also brought the dead back to life, turning a simple harvest into a nightmarish resurrection?
Conclusion: A Dark Mirror into the Past
The strange and grotesque cures of the medieval period are a testament to humanity’s enduring struggle against disease and suffering. These treatments, blending superstition, rudimentary science, and horror, offer a grim window into the past where life and death walked hand in hand. For horror fans, these ancient cures evoke a world where the line between medicine and madness is razor-thin, and where the cure might be more terrifying than the disease.
© Colin Lawson Books