Tiger snake
A Sofia city zoo employee shows one-metre long baby tiger python on January 26, 2004. Bulgarian police on Friday arrested a Cypriot man who tried to smuggle out three of the endangered snakes in his hand luggage. The reptiles, given to the Sofia zoo, are banned for trade. Reuters

Throughout the decades, medicine has undergone major changes that increased the longevity of people around the world. Because of medical modernization, people do not have to suffer from painful and crude procedures. However, there are a number of bizarre medical treatments that are still widely used today for staying effective through the years.

1. Snake oil and venom

Snake oil originated from ancient Chinese medicine and was used to treat joint pain. Today, snake oil is still used by modern doctors because it contains eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA, which is an omega-3 fatty acid with anti-inflammatory properties. Also, snake venom is extracted from various types of snakes to create antidotes for snake bites from the same species.

2. Acupuncture

The approach also originated from ancient Chinese medicine, which involves placing needles at precise points to relieve pain and discomfort as well as treat a variety of conditions. Medical doctors have approved of the process and even recommend their patients to undergo the procedure to alleviate symptoms from underlying disease. A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine that acupuncture is more than just a placebo and is truly effective in treating chronic pain.

3. Barium enema

The medical procedure involves inserting a well-lubricated enema tube into the rectum of the patient. Barium sulfate is introduced into the colon and X-ray photos will be taken. The diagnostic approach will help doctors visualize the large intestine to determine if there are any issues like herniation and blockage.

4. Electroconvulsive therapy

ECT is a therapeutic approach for psychiatric patients. It involves inducing seizures via electricity to anesthetized patients. The approach was first used during the 1930s and proved to be useful through the years in treating depression, bipolar disorder and other psychiatric conditions. About 1 million people around the world are treated with ECT over a short span of time. In one study published in WebMD News Archive, the benefits of shock therapy were shown to outweigh the risks.

5. Medicinal leeches

In microsurgery, leeches are used to minimize blood coagulation and relieve pressure in the veins caused by pooling blood. It can also encourage blood circulation in reconstructive surgery. The beneficial effect is actually from the steady bleeding from the wound made by the leech after it is removed. To prevent bacterial infection and allergies from developing, modern scientists are even developing mechanical leeches.