Sparked by a suggestion from Dave in Texas (Nerd Herd represent!), this episode explores the 2,000-year reign of a practice once considered cutting-edge medicine. From the ancient theory of the four humors to the “heroic medicine” of the 18th century, we trace how physicians across civilizations believed that draining blood could cure nearly everything — from fevers and pneumonia to insanity and even excessive bleeding. Yes… they treated bleeding by bleeding.