Old-fashioned hygiene habits that are anything but clean

Mercury Was Used to Treat Syphilis

Before the discovery of antibiotics, syphilis treatments were often more dangerous than the disease itself. A common method involved applying a mercury-based ointment to the skin several times a day. Doctors believed this could cure the disease – despite the devastating side effects.

Those affected suffered from ulcers, tooth loss, and kidney failure. Some even died from mercury poisoning before syphilis could run its course. This “cure” was worse than the disease.