In medieval times, a saw was sometimes used as punishment for very severe offences of often sexual nature. Several etchings from the dark ages exist, showing that the victim was usually hung upside down to slow down blood loss and extend the duration of the punishment. A saw with very rough teeth, usually used by two men to cut down trees was then used to slowly saw the victim in half. There are several accounts that describe that the victim would often survive for 10 or more minutes as the saw made its way from the crotch to the rib cage.