Ep 4. Episode 4

Horrible Histories is a comedy show that takes viewers on a hilarious and gruesome journey through history. Season 1, episode 4 explores the history of medicine, as well as the life and times of Florence Nightingale.

The episode begins with a sketch about the first doctor, who suggests a treatment for the black plague that involves dancing and a live chicken. Needless to say, it doesn't work out well for anyone involved. The sketch sets the tone for the rest of the episode, highlighting how ignorant humans were about medicine and health in the past.

The show also features a song about all the different ways people died in ancient Egypt, such as crocodile attacks and being struck by lightning. The comedic sketch features a group of mummies singing and dancing, with hilariously morbid lyrics about their demise.

The second sketch of the episode explores the life of Florence Nightingale, who was a pioneering nurse during the Crimean War. The sketch showcases how Nightingale revolutionized the medical industry by implementing strict hygiene practices and improving living conditions for wounded soldiers. The show pays tribute to her impact by featuring a song about her accomplishments, titled "Florence Nightingale's Crime".

The episode also features a sketch about the "ickiest jobs in history", where viewers learn about the job of a barber surgeon. This unique profession involved cutting hair, giving shaves, and performing surgery all at once. It was a common job in the medieval era, and the sketch emphasizes how gruesome and unhygienic the process was.

Another sketch features a doctor from the 19th century attempting to cure a patient's cholera by giving him opium and arsenic. The sketch pokes fun at how ignorant doctors were about medicine in the past, and showcases how dangerous it was to be a patient during that time.

Another comedic song featured in the episode explores different ways diseases were spread throughout history, such as through fleas and rats. It also highlights the ways that people tried to cure themselves, such as drinking mercury and sucking on mummy powder.

The show also features a sketch about the "medicine man", who was a common figure in Native American culture. The medicine man was believed to have supernatural powers that allowed him to cure illnesses and ward off evil spirits. The sketch showcases how different cultures had their own unique beliefs about medicine and health.

The episode ends with a sketch about an audience member attending a doctor's lecture about the human body. The doctor attempts to present the inner workings of the body through a crude puppet show, with hilarious and juvenile results.

Horrible Histories season 1, episode 4 is a hilarious and educational look at the history of medicine and health. The sketches and songs are both informative and entertaining, with a healthy dose of dark humor added in for good measure. The episode is a great way to learn about the fascinating and often bizarre ways people viewed medicine and health in the past.