DARK HISTORY: MEDICINAL CANNIBALISM

Deven educates us on some of the former uses for human body parts as a medicinal ingredient, dead or alive.

Medicinal Cannibalism

Despite its disturbing sound, medical cannibalism was a widely accepted, and at times fashionable, component of Western medical practices for centuries.

The belief that the human body contained medicinal properties was prevalent among Europeans from about the Middle Ages until the 18th century. Eating parts of a dead body was not considered barbaric. Doctors, pharmacists, and even royalty recommended using human remains to treat a wide range of ailments, from headaches to epilepsy.

Mumia, a powder created from embalmed corpses and often sourced from Egypt, was the most well-known substance. Bitumen for mummification was the original meaning, with the word later signifying ground mummy flesh during the Renaissance. To halt bleeding, mend internal wounds, or regain strength, people would blend it with wine or water and consume it. Fueled by high demand, the market became saturated with fake mummies.

Another valuable remedy was blood. It was theorized that vital energy could be found in fresh human blood, especially if it came from a young, healthy donor. In certain parts of Europe, onlookers would hold out cups to gather blood from the scaffold during executions. It was common practice for epileptics to consume it while warm, hoping to inherit the victim’s strength before it dissipated.

Then there were bones. Migraines and nosebleeds were treated with powdered skull, also referred to as cranium humanum. Medicine and ritual were unified through the creation of drinking cups from some skulls. Fat salvaged from deceased bodies or gathered during executions was used to treat wounds, alleviate joint pain, and manage nerve conditions. It wasn’t uncommon to see apothecary jars with labels such as “Axungia Hominis,” indicating human fat.

Renowned intellectuals advocated for this approach. Paracelsus, a trailblazer in early chemistry and medicine, contended that ingesting human materials passed healing qualities from one person to another. This was not an obscure idea; it was a widely accepted medical concept.

The evolution of medicine through anatomy, chemistry, and germ theory led to a decline in medical cannibalism during the 18th and 19th centuries. Corpses, once considered medicinal, became viewed as disease carriers by the same culture.

The unsettling nature of medical cannibalism stems not only from the actions themselves but also from their commonplace nature. These were not acts of desperation in remote societies. Doctors, pharmacists, and patients all trusted in science when these prescriptions were issued and taken.

Deven VanKirk was raised in the Midwest and has lived all over the eastern half of the US. He’s been a horror fan for as long as he can remember. He enjoys hiking and camping, when he’s not reading or writing. Currently he resides in Florida with his wife, son, and two dogs.

PLEASE NOTE: The views and opinions of the staff of Memento Mori Ink do not necessarily represent those of Memento Mori Ink or Crystal Lake Publishing. Thank you for understanding.