Cauterization

You’ve likely seen this ancient medical method performed in movies. Cauterization (placing super-heated metal against a wound) was used to stop heavy bleeding in medieval times, most likely from battle or if a limb had to be amputated. While it was highly effective and would help prevent disease and infections on the wound, it would leave irreparable tissue damage. And while we can’t speak from experience, we bet it’s safe to say it was awfully painful.