S2E17 Remedies and Regrets: The Worst Infection Treatments in History

Imagine getting sick in the 1700s—before microbes were discovered, before antibiotics, and before infection had a clear cause. In this Outbreak After Dark episode, we explore the strange, unsettling, and sometimes surprisingly insightful treatments used to fight disease in the pre-germ theory era. From bloodletting and mercury to tobacco smoke enemas and malariotherapy, these practices reflect a time when medicine was working without seeing the real enemy. Along the way, we also uncover the rare moments when history got it almost right—and how those moments helped shape the science we trust today. Don't forget to sign up for my free weekly newsletter Field Notes, to continue the conversation around each episode. Transcript and annotated citations in companion blog post at infectiousdose.com