10. A Royal Fail

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When King Charles II died unexpectedly following an illness during 1685, the citizenry insisted on an explanation. The royal doctors knew that they had to produce evidence they they did everything in their power to save the king. In an effort to appease the citizens they prepared numerous diaries and journals which detailed the king’s treatment, which included the following: More than two pints of blood being drained from his body, ingesting antimony (a toxic metal), a series of enemas, having his head shaved and blistering agents applied, pigeon droppings were applied to the soles of his feet and he was given candy to cheer him up which was followed by a good prodding with a red-hot poker. As a last resort, the royal doctors administered a dose of crushed stones from the intestines of an East Indian goat which were rammed down his throat. If his initial illness did not kill him, it is likely that the treatment he endured from his doctors did.