In the seventeenth century, one of King Charles II’s physicians devised an interesting invention called the stomach brush. The user would drink warm water or spirits to loosen the crud supposedly lining the stomach walls. The brush was then dipped in alcohol and slowly lowered down the victim’s throat by turning its wire handle. Once in the stomach, it was pulled up and down to brush the stomach clean. If used twice a week, it was said to considerably extend the user’s life.
Source:
Stephens, John Richard. “Ignorance & Intelligence.” Weird History 101: Tales of Intrigue, Mayhem, and Outrageous Behavior. New York: Barnes & Noble, 2006. 117. Print.
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