Enclothed Cognition

The history of medicine is an incredibly fascinating subject and is often quite grisly - but grisly is a bit of an understatement when it comes to three particularly unique medical books housed in the Mutter Museum at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. These publications - all focused on the subjects of women's health and obstetrics - are bound in the skin of an Irish widow named Mary Lynch, who died in 1869 at the age of 28.

The Hippocratic Oath is one of the most revered documents of history. Thought to be written around the year 5 BC, the principles laid out in this document provide the framework for modern medical ethics. 

The 19th century saw many medical advancements, particularly in the field of surgery. With the spread of modern germ theory and improvements in sterilization practices saving lives, Victorian-era surgeons, previously comparable to glorified barbers, became elevated to the ranks of the aristocracy.

One of the most frequently discussed topics of debate in healthcare is the ethics surrounding medical research and certain studies. Here are some of the most unethical medical studies from history.

The "science" of phrenology advocated that certain functions of the brain could be found in specific spots, which a physician would find by feeling and measuring the bumps and grooves on the patient’s head. Today this sounds downright ridiculous - feeling around someone’s head for bumps, and using them as a means of judging how smart, creative, or logical a person is - but at the time, this practice was groundbreaking.

Harvey Williams Cushing is notable for developing operating procedures, techniques and equipment that are still used today, many of which greatly reduced high mortality rates that had been commonly associated with brain surgery.

With the new pandemic of the Zika virus and the impending commencement of the Summer 2016 Olympics in Rio, it will be interesting to see if officials respond to the findings of a new study which suggests a correlation between tourism and spread of disease. 

Though they are less prevalent than most mental illnesses, these disorders have created just as many issues for the patients, their family members and their surrounding communities.