An Infamous "Rest" Cure From the 19th Century

Abbey Perreault, Atlas Obscura
For over a month, Mrs. C laid in bed, gulping down quarts of milk. Aside from occasionally sitting up and relieving herself, the 33-year-old New Englander remained horizontal. She had been deemed sick, or wearied at the least. But according to Dr. Silas Weir Mitchell, his strict rest cure regimen had her on the mend. By the end of the month, she'd gained 40 pounds and a spot among his most successful cases.