Iron Lungs
Before an effective vaccine was developed in the 1950s, the polio epidemic devastated many lives. When the outbreak reached its peak in 1952, there were 57,628 infected people in the USA. It was one of the most feared diseases of the 20th century. Back in the day, one of the most effective methods was invented to save lives, but it was one of the most terrifying, too. Imagine being unable to breathe and being put into a large, metal, coffin-like cabinet where you had to stay for weeks or even your whole life. This cabinet was nicknamed "the iron lung" and saved thousands of people who were not able to breathe on their own after their chest muscles were paralyzed due to polio.
#18 The idea is that of sympathetic (imitative) magic : mices have good teeth, so they are good for ailing teeth... the same kind of "reasoning" is always used nowadays in... homeopathy !
#19 Some trepanated prehistoric patients have survived long enough for the bone to grow again around the opening !
#1 Maybe one was supposed to have masturbated with a handful of cornflakes. That certainly would have made it a lot less fun. (Cream on your cornflakes, anyone?)