Prepare yourself for a rather gruesome tale. If you’re curious but have a weak stomach, proceed with caution.
Who was Dr Roberts Bartholow?
Dr Roberts Bartholow was no ordinary doctor. Born in November 1831 in New Windsor, Maryland, he had an unconventional approach to medicine. After studying liberal arts at Calvert College, he pursued a medical degree at the University of Maryland.
Bartholow’s career took an interesting turn during the American Civil War when he served as an assistant surgeon in the US Army. However, his abrasive personality and sarcastic criticism of his colleagues made him unpopular. Eventually, he left the army and became a professor at the Medical College of Ohio.
But it was at the Good Samaritan Hospital where Bartholow truly made his mark. He set up his own laboratory and began experimenting with electricity as a potential treatment for various disorders and conditions. In the 19th century, the belief in the healing powers of electricity was widespread, and Bartholow was determined to explore its potential.
Bartholow’s laboratory became a hub of innovation and discovery. Equipped with state-of-the-art electrical tools, he was ready to push the boundaries of medical science.
Bad decisions and worse outcomes
One fateful day in 1874, Mary Rafferty entered Bartholow’s laboratory. Mary was an Irish immigrant in her early 30s who had suffered a severe head injury as a child. Over time, her scalp developed an open and infected ulcer, exposing parts of her brain.
Bartholow saw an opportunity to further his understanding of the
