What killed George Washington? Turns out it was probably related to the bloodletting and other 18th-century medicine his doctors applied.

Throughout history, people have been trying to figure out how our bodies work and how to fix them when things go wrong. This has led to some ideas that, with the benefit of hindsight, seem very strange

Has a doctor ever told you that you just have too much blood? Probably not, but there are a handful of conditions where being a little low might be good for you.

What killed George Washington? Turns out it was probably related to the bloodletting and other 18th-century medicine his doctors applied.

Humanity didn't always know about the invisible viruses, bacteria, and microbes that can cause disease. But that doesn't mean we didn't come up with some truly bizarre ideas. From the four humors and miasma theory to bloodletting and...

Life during the middle ages in Europe was harsh and unforgiving. Then, in 1347, things got worse when the bubonic plague also known as the Black Death swept through Europe. This program explores how the pandemic began and its impact on...

There are a surprising number of treatments that get accepted into mainstream care, and covered by insurance, despite the fact that there is little evidence that they work. There's even evidence that some of these treatments may be...

This short video looks at why the Ancient Maya believed in sacrifice and how they carried it out - not too gruesome but not for the feint-hearted either.

After a few periods of great scientific progress in several parts of the world, we finally arrive at the Middle Ages. It was quite a bummer to be alive during this time, and one of the main reasons for this was the persistent plagues...

Let's explore the history and visual illusion of the barbershop pole. Originally a symbol of bloodletting, the pole's rotating stripes create a paradox in our perception of motion. Through research conducted by psychologists in the 20th...

Barbers in the Middle Ages were excellent multi-taskers. It’s true: a lot of surgery in the Middle Ages was done by so-called barber-surgeons, a medieval precursor to the old dude with the combs in the blue water down the street. But...

In this episode I explain the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the three ways it is calculated, and connect it to the financial sector. I also explain how George Washington's death is similar to the Great Depression. Weird huh? Thanks...

The Black Death - an epidemic that decimated medieval Europe. A disease that affected both beggars and kings. This event changed the face of history forever. The figures that we associate with this plague are masked doctors reminiscent...