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trepanning

Definition: Trepanning involved boring a small hole into the skull to expose the dura mater, the outer membrane of the brain.
The practice was believed to alleviate pressure and treat health problems localized within the head, though it was also thought to cure epilepsy, migraines, and mental disorders and were a common "fix" for more physical problems such as skull fractures. Needless to say, such exposure of the brain to airborne germs would often be fatal.

Trepanning as a practice has not been completely abandoned: it was performed as recently as 2000 when two men in the US used it to treat a woman suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome and depression.

Related Resources

external link 10 Bizarre Medieval Medical Practices Gareth May
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