Medieval doctors commonly diagnosed illnesses by tasting the urine of their patients to check for sweetness, which was an early and deeply disgusting method for detecting diabetes.

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Medieval doctors commonly diagnosed illnesses by tasting the urine of their patients to check for sweetness, which was an early and deeply disgusting method for detecting diabetes. These learned medical professionals carried around special urine-carrying flasks as status symbols, proudly showcasing their willingness to sip bodily fluids in the name of science. While it sounds completely barbaric, the presence of glucose in urine actually was a scientifically valid indicator of metabolic disease, meaning these guys were right for the grossest reasons possible. You really have to admire the absolute lack of gag reflex required to be a medieval physician, especially since they were doing this without any guarantee of a decent health insurance payout