The Wild Side of Medicine: Craziest Things Doctors Have Done

Being a physician often involves situations that are beyond ordinary, leading to stories that range from bizarre to downright crazy. Here are some of the wildest things physicians have done, as shared by doctors themselves.

1. Self-Surgery

• Appendectomy on Self: Dr. Leonid Rogozov famously removed his own appendix while stationed in Antarctica, a testament to both necessity and sheer bravery.
• Bullet Removal: Dr. Evan O'Neill Kane performed surgery on himself to remove his own appendix and later a hernia, demonstrating self-reliance in extreme situations.
• DIY Sutures: Physicians have sutured their own wounds, often in remote locations where they are the only medical professional available.

2. Extreme House Calls

• Mountain Rescues: Dr. Geoffrey Tabin, a renowned ophthalmologist and mountaineer, has combined his passion for climbing with his medical expertise to perform surgeries in the Himalayas.
• Jungle Expeditions: Dr. Aisha Abubakar went deep into the jungles of Nigeria to provide medical care to remote communities, often battling both natural obstacles and wildlife.
• Underwater Medicine: Dr. George Bass, an underwater archaeologist, managed to provide medical care while conducting deep-sea dives.

3. Unorthodox Treatments

• Maggot Therapy: Dr. Ronald Sherman popularized the modern use of maggot therapy to clean out necrotic tissue in wounds.
• Leech Therapy: Dr. Roy Sawyer founded a leech farm to supply hospitals with leeches for medicinal use.
• Hypothermia Cases: Dr. Anna Bagenholm survived severe hypothermia after a skiing accident and became a subject of study for her extraordinary recovery.

4. Life-Saving Improvisations

• Pen Tracheotomy: Dr. Robert Kennedy, in a critical emergency, used a pen to perform an emergency tracheotomy on a patient to save their life.
• Plastic Bottle Splints: Dr. Tom Catena, working in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan, often uses whatever materials he can find to create makeshift medical devices.
• Defibrillator Alternatives: Dr. DeBakey famously used innovative techniques and improvisations in the early days of cardiac surgery.

5. Borderline Illegal Activities

• Crossing War Zones: Dr. Cynthia Maung crossed from Burma into Thailand to provide medical care to refugees, often putting her own safety at risk.
• Treating Illegal Immigrants: Dr. Juan Rivera, a renowned cardiologist, has been known to provide medical care to undocumented immigrants in the United States.
• Unauthorized Procedures: Dr. Jim Withers, known as the “street doctor,” has provided medical care to the homeless, often outside of formal healthcare settings.

6. Human Guinea Pigs

• Testing Vaccines: Dr. Jonas Salk tested the polio vaccine on himself and his family before it was made publicly available.
• Disease Exposure: Dr. Barry Marshall famously drank a petri dish containing Helicobacter pylori to prove it was the cause of stomach ulcers.
• Drug Trials: Dr. Jesse Lazear allowed himself to be bitten by mosquitoes infected with yellow fever to study the disease.

7. Unusual Patient Requests

• Exotic Pet Surgery: Dr. Jan Pol, a veterinarian, has performed surgeries on exotic pets at the request of their owners.
• Tattoo Removal: Dr. Will Kirby, a dermatologist, has performed laser tattoo removal procedures, sometimes beyond traditional medical practice.
• Personal Bodyguards: Dr. Conrad Murray, personal physician to Michael Jackson, took on roles beyond medical care, including personal security.

8. Handling the Paranormal

• Exorcisms: Dr. Richard Gallagher, a psychiatrist, has assisted in exorcisms, providing a medical perspective on the phenomena.
• Ghost Sightings: Dr. John Lerma has documented patient claims of ghost sightings and spiritual experiences in his hospice work.