Sawbones is a medical history podcast hosted by Dr. Sydnee McElroy and her husband, Justin McElroy. The show explores the weird, wacky, and often gruesome history of medicine, from the use of leeches to cure ailments to the invention of the first X-ray machine.
With over 400 episodes, there’s plenty to choose from. But what’s the best place to start? Here are some of the best episodes of the Sawbones podcast:
The Gut Hole Romance
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In the latest episode of Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee McElroy and her husband, Justin McElroy, dive into the intriguing story of a doctor and his muse, exploring the will-they/won’t-they dynamic of medical history’s greatest romance involving a man with a hole in his stomach.
The Dancing Plague
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In the latest episode of Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee McElroy and her husband Justin McElroy explore a real-life case of Boogie Fever that is both horrifying and intriguing.
The Man Who Ate Everything
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The tale revolves around Tarrare, a man who is known for his insatiable hunger. His bizarre eating habits included devouring a variety of unusual items such as a cat, a puppy, a snake, an eel, and even offal and poultices.
Mr. Reich’s Sexbox
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In this episode, discover the story of a peculiar individual with unconventional sexual practices.
Perkins’ Tractors
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On this episode, Dr. Sydnee and Justin discuss the intriguing history of Perkins’ Tractors, which are not only misleadingly named but also fail to deliver on their supposed benefits. The mystery surrounding them is sure to pique your interest!
Colic and Gripe Water
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In this episode, Sawbones explores the history of colic and gripe water, a combination that seems to be a perfect fit for the show. A misinterpreted diagnosis has contributed to the continued popularity of a fictitious medicine that is still available on the shelves today.
How Horseshoe Crabs (Probably) Saved Your Life
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In this episode, Sawbones explores the history of colic and gripe water, a combination that seems to be a perfect fit for the show. A misinterpreted diagnosis has contributed to the continued popularity of a fictitious medicine that is still available on the shelves today.
The Chicago River Reversal
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On this episode of Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee McElroy and her husband Justin McElroy share the fascinating true story of how Chicago reversed the flow of a river to combat the spread of typhoid and cholera.
The Royal Fistula Fad
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In this special episode, Justin and Dr. Sydnee explore the bizarre fad started by King Louis XIV, where having a fistula became a trend. While celebrities have started some strange fads, this one might just take the cake.
Bizarro World
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On this episode, Dr. Sydnee and Justin will take you on a journey through a hypothetical world where Sawbones never existed, and medical progress was halted. A recent issue of The Times painted a horrifying picture of this world, where false wellness ran rampant. Get ready to explore this alternate reality with the hosts of Sawbones.
Soda
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In this episode of Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee McElroy and Justin McElroy take a trip to the home of Coca-Cola to explore the history of medicinal soda pop. They also attempt to settle the long-standing debate of Coke versus Brad’s Drink.
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