Medical Historian Answers History of Medicine Questions | Tech Support | WIRED

May 26, 2026 Yanac

Medical historian Richard Barnett joins WIRED to answer the internet’s burning questions about medical history. What is cupping and why is it so popular? Who was Typhoid Mary? What is the Iron Lung and how does it work? Answers to these questions and many more await on History of Medicine Support.

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#History #LouisPasteur #AlexanderFleming

00:00 – History of Medicine Support
00:20 – 300% mortality rate? Just scream, it’ll be fine
02:02 – The science of cupping
02:56 – Don’t raw dog your milk, folks
05:09 – Nothing like a cold radioactive tonic on a summer’s day
06:23 – Blowing smoke up someone’s backside can be a lifesaver
07:07 – The most controversial Nobel Prize winner
09:36 – Larva-ing your best life
10:37 – The Iron Lung
11:59 – Chill, just lose a few pints of blood
12:49 – Who was Typhoid Mary?
14:10 – Trepanning, absolutely mind-boggling
15:09 – Those who can, do
15:53 – The first plastic surgery? ~600 BC
16:53 – Germ Theory 🤝 sterilization
18:32 – Short back and septoplasty please barber
19:18 – Alexander Fleming broke the mould
21:26 – Mad Hatter’s toxic trait? Hg
22:05 – Vaccines and the measles resurgence
24:01 – Why is it called X-ray?
24:50 – Couching, cataracts and cocaine
26:30 – Nature’s bloodletting

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