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History is filled with bizarre customs that, by today’s standards, seem unthinkable. From dangerous beauty routines to questionable medical practices, the past was a strange place. People once accepted many of these traditions as normal, even though they would likely horrify us now. Understanding these customs shows how far society has come. Here are nine strange past customs that would leave us in shock today.
1. Bloodletting as a Medical Treatment
For centuries, doctors drained blood from sick patients, believing it could cure illnesses. This practice, known as bloodletting, treated everything from fevers to mental disorders. Physicians often applied leeches to remove what they called “bad blood.” Instead of healing patients, bloodletting weakened them further and sometimes led to death. Thankfully, modern medicine has replaced this harmful practice with science-backed treatments.
2. The Use of Arsenic in Beauty Products
During the 19th century, many women applied arsenic-based cosmetics to achieve pale, flawless skin. Beauty companies marketed arsenic-laced powders and creams despite their deadly effects. Prolonged exposure caused severe health issues, including organ failure and death. Some women even ingested small amounts of arsenic to maintain their complexion. Today, using poison for beauty sounds unthinkable.
3. Binding Feet for Beauty
For over a thousand years, Chinese families tightly wrapped young girls’ feet to prevent growth. They believed tiny, deformed feet were a mark of beauty. This painful custom caused lifelong disability and suffering for countless women. Although the elite favored it, officials finally banned foot binding in the early 20th century. Looking back, it’s shocking that people once associated this practice with beauty.
4. Public Executions as Entertainment
Watching a public execution was once a common pastime. Crowds filled town squares to witness hangings, beheadings, and other gruesome punishments. People of all ages, including children, attended as if they were festivals. Vendors even sold food and souvenirs at these events. The thought of executions serving as entertainment feels horrifying in today’s world.
5. Using Lead in Everyday Products
Manufacturers once used lead in everything from paint to dinnerware. Since people didn’t know about lead poisoning, they regularly ate from lead-coated plates. Even children’s toys contained lead, causing widespread health issues. By the 20th century, researchers had fully recognized lead’s toxic effects. Today, strict regulations keep lead out of household products.
6. Memento Mori Photography
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In the Victorian era, grieving families posed for portraits with their deceased loved ones. Photographers arranged corpses to appear lifelike, sometimes painting eyes onto closed eyelids. These unsettling images served as treasured keepsakes. Today, most people would find the idea of posing with the dead deeply disturbing.
7. Grave Robbing for Medical Research
During the 18th and 19th centuries, medical schools needed human cadavers for study but struggled to find legal bodies. This demand led criminals, known as “resurrectionists,” to steal corpses and sell them to doctors. Some even committed murder to provide fresh bodies. Eventually, new laws regulated body donations for medical purposes. Today, ethical donations supply cadavers for research instead of stolen remains.
8. Sending Children to Work in Factories
Child labor was once a widely accepted practice. Factory owners hired young children to work long hours in coal mines and textile mills under dangerous conditions. Many suffered injuries, illnesses, and exhaustion, earning meager wages. Eventually, governments passed laws to protect children and ensure they received an education instead of working. Now, forcing children into hazardous jobs seems unimaginable.
9. Smoking as a Doctor-Approved Health Habit
Decades ago, cigarette companies promoted smoking as a healthy habit. Advertisements featured doctors endorsing cigarettes, claiming they relieved stress and improved breathing. Some even recommended smoking for pregnant women to aid digestion and weight control. Not until the late 20th century did researchers widely recognize smoking’s devastating health effects. Today, anti-smoking campaigns and cigarette warnings replace misleading medical claims.
The Past Was a Strange Place
Looking back at these customs, it’s hard to believe people once considered them normal. They remind us how much society, science, and cultural values have evolved. While today’s customs may seem normal now, future generations might find them just as strange. What past custom do you find the most shocking?
Read More:
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9 Bizarre Religious Rituals That Still Exist Today
Latrice is a dedicated professional with a rich background in social work, complemented by an Associate Degree in the field. Her journey has been uniquely shaped by the rewarding experience of being a stay-at-home mom to her two children, aged 13 and 5. This role has not only been a testament to her commitment to family but has also provided her with invaluable life lessons and insights.
As a mother, Latrice has embraced the opportunity to educate her children on essential life skills, with a special focus on financial literacy, the nuances of life, and the importance of inner peace.