Psychiatrist Henry Cotton's Obsession of "Curing" Mental Disorders by Removing Teeth

It's a crazy theory but Henry Cotton was intrigued with his mentor, Adolf Meyer's theory that mental illnesses could be caused by bacterial infection. So in Cotton's mind, the best way then to "cure" these illnesses is by removing the infected areas.

Cotton attacked the teeth first and slowly began to work his way towards other organs. The mouth, he reasoned, was the most obvious place were germs lurked. So he started by removing infected teeth, unerupted teeth, teeth with cavities and abscesses. He even had his own teeth pulled out, as well as that of his wife and two sons, as a prophylactic measure to avoid the risk of infection.
When pulling teeth didn’t cure his patients, he doubled his efforts and in the process removed their tonsils and sinuses. If a cure was still not achieved, other organs were suspected of harboring infection. Soon patients got relieved of their spleens, colons, testicles, ovaries, gall bladders, and other organs.

(Image credit: Amusing Planet)


Newest 1
Newest 1 Comment

You do know the current (reasonably well founded) theory about what causes alzheimers is a bacterial infection gained from the bacteria that causes gingivitis spreading to the brain?
So it kinda sounds like in at least one way he was right rather than crazy
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Login to comment.
Email This Post to a Friend
"Psychiatrist Henry Cotton's Obsession of "Curing" Mental Disorders by Removing Teeth"

Separate multiple emails with a comma. Limit 5.

 

Success! Your email has been sent!

close window
X

This website uses cookies.

This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By using this website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

I agree
 
Learn More