Types of pseudoscience
The “Rest Cure”
person lies in bed for most of the time to try to cure an illness
Electropathy
unproven use of electricity to treat a variety of ailments. Devices like electropathic belts, electric hairbrushes, and magneto-electric machines
Hysteria
an outburst of emotion or, historically, a discredited medical diagnosis for a disorder in women characterized by emotional and physical symptoms
Fake “scientific” ideas were used to claim some races were better than others
Racism
purpose of these pseudosciences
to treat mental illness.
Mesmerism
healing occurs through the manipulation of an invisible "animal magnetic" fluid
Hydropathy
water treatments to promote health and cure ailments, including cold water baths, showers, and wet compresses or bandages
Melancholia
term for what we now call depression and was a recognized medical diagnosis
The most significant dangers of pseudoscience
- Health risks
- Misinformation
1837-1901
Victorian era
Phrenology
The study of skull shapes and bumps
caged birds
added to asylums to brighten up the mood
Chronic Mania
irritability, increased activity, and other manic signs in a persistent state of manic symptoms
Scientists spent time and money studying pseudoscience like phrenology, which slowed real scientific progress.
Wasted Research
Rapid social and scientific change
immense industrial, technological, and scientific change, including discoveries in fields like anatomy and electricity
Physiognomy
Judging character by facial features and appearance.
Bloodletting
belief that removing excess blood would restore health
dementia
any severe mental illness with delusions
Many believed false studies that stated that women were weaker or less intelligent, which limited their rights and education.
Gender Inequality
Spiritualism
It became popular after the spiritualist movement began in America in 1848
Eugenics
improving the genetic makeup of human populations through selective breeding
Coca-Cola
a cure for most diseases, including morphine addiction. It originally contained cocaine and large amounts of caffeine.
Tuberculosis
coughs, fatigue, and night sweats. Treatments were largely ineffective and included opium, a special diet, and relocating to a warmer climate.
justify existing social inequalities, including those based on race and class. It was used to argue that some social groups were inherently inferior.
Social hierarchy
The Everlasting Pill
a reusable metallic pill, made of antimony, popular in the 18th and 19th centuries for "cleansing" the bowels