[Photo Group] Horrifying: Unveiling the Dark History of Human Medicine

The ancient Greeks took the sick to the temple for treatment: they would spend the night in the temple and regarded dreams as part of the diagnosis. In order to relieve the patient's pressure, the ancients used flint or shells to pierce through the patient's skull. This kind of brain-drilling therapy continued until the Middle Ages. The toothbrush with letters engraved used by French Emperor Napoleon is also among the exhibits. The bristles of the toothbrush were made of horsehair, while his toothpaste was made from opium. The exhibition illustrates with illustrations a special profession from the past: the barber-surgeon. They split their time between shaving customers and performing amputations, or reconstructive surgeries for patients who lost their noses due to punishment or war.