Physicians' Gallery
Episodes
Ep.13 - Ripley Alchemical Scroll, Part 3
24 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we’re talking about the alchemical Ripley Scroll. This huge scroll, almost six feet long, supposedly contains the secret to the Philosoph...
Ep.12 - Ripley Alchemical Scroll, Part 2
10 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we’re into our second episode about the alchemical Ripley Scroll. In this episode we’re talking about conmen, Adam and Eve and Bigfoot....
Ep.11 - Ripley Alchemical Scroll, Part 1
27 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we’re talking about the alchemical Ripley Scroll. This huge scroll, almost six feet long, supposedly contains the secret to the Philosoph...
Ep.10 - Scarificator
13 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we’re talking about scarificators. These alarming devices are filled with tiny blades. Also known as 'mechanical leeches' they were desig...
Ep.9 - Rose
27 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we’re talking about the rose. One of the less unpleasant-tasting medicines, rose was a common treatment for indigestion and constipation.
Ep.8 - Bleeding bowl
13 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we’re talking about bleeding bowls. We’re covering everything from heroic near-death levels of bloodletting, to a Scots porringer of bl...
Ep.7 - Bleeding Bowl
30 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we’re talking about bleeding bowls. We’re covering everything from heroic near-death levels of bloodletting, to a Scots porringer of bl...
Ep.7 - Air Loom
30 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we’re talking about the Air Loom. This fascinating image is the first example of asylum patient art ever reproduced in print and we uncov...
Ep.6 - Thistle
16 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we’re talking about the thistle. From a medical marvel to a symbol of Scotland, we explore the rich history of this spiky plant. _______...
Ep.5- Artificial Wine
02 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we’re talking about an object from our temporary exhibition ‘Hooked’ – ‘A treatise of new artificial wines’. The author of this...
Ep.4 - Jamaica Ginger
19 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we’re talking about an object from our temporary exhibition ‘Hooked’ – Jamaica Ginger, a Prohibition-era American medicine which wa...
Ep.3 - Tree of Intemperance
05 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we’re talking about an object from our temporary exhibition ‘Hooked’ – The Tree of Intemperance, an 1800s American illustration wit...
Ep.2 - Electro Machine
21 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We’re exploring different objects on display in our Physicians’ Gallery. This week, we’re talking about the electro-therapeutic machine. These m...
Ep.1 - Erotomania
07 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we’re talking about an object from our temporary exhibition ‘Hooked’ – a 1600s book called Erotomania, which explores the add...
Ep.26 - Zeus, Zoonosis and Zits
24 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Daisy and Olivia talk about some Zs in the history of medicine: Zeus, zoonosis and zits. _______________ Follow us on: Bluesky - @p...
Ep.25 - Yawning, Yellow Fever and Yoghurt
10 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Daisy and Olivia yap about some Ys in the history of medicine: yawning, yellow fever and yogurt. _______________ Follow us on: Blue...
Ep.24 - Xmas, X-Rays and Xavier (Saint)
26 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Daisy and Olivia expound on some Xs in the history of medicine: x-mas, x-rays and Xavier. _______________ Follow us on: Bluesky - ...
Ep.23 - Warts, Witches and Widowhood
12 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Daisy, Laura and Olivia wax lyrical about some Ws in the history of medicine: witches, warts and widows. _______________ Follow us ...
Ep.22 - Vampirism, Virginity and Vaccines
29 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Daisy, Laura and Olivia talk about some Vs in the history of medicine: virgins, vampirism and vaccines. _______________ Follow us ...
Ep.21 - Ugliness, Urticaria and Universal Medicine
15 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Daisy and Olivia eulogise some of the Us in the history of medicine: ugliness, urticaria and universal medicines. _______________ ...
Ep.20 - Tea, Thyroid and Tobacco
01 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Daisy and Olivia talk through some Ts in the history of medicine: tea, thyroids and tobacco. _______________ Follow us on: Bluesky ...
Ep.19 - Scurvy, Snuff and Sympathetic Medicine
18 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Daisy, Charlotte and Olivia discuss some Ss in the history of medicine: scurvy, sympathetic medicine and snuff. _______________ Fo...
Ep.18 - Radium, Rosacea and Rabies
04 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Daisy and Olivia rant about some Rs in the history of medicine: rabies, rosacea and radium girls. _______________ Follow us on: Blu...
Ep.17 - Quinine, Quarantine and Quacks
20 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Daisy, Charlotte and Olivia talk about some Qs in the history of medicine: quinine, quarantine and quackery. _______________ Follo...
Ep.16 - Pregnancy, Pepys and Phrenology
06 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Daisy, Laura and Olivia explore some Ps in the history of medicine: pregnancy, Pepys and phrenology. _______________ Follow us on: ...
Ep.15 - Oranges, Obesity and Osteoporosis
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Daisy, Charlotte and Olivia discuss some Os in the history of medicine: oranges, obesity and osteoporosis. _______________ Follow ...
Ep.14 - Nurses, Nails and Nymphomania
09 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Daisy and Olivia explore some Ns in the history of medicine: nurses, nails and nymphomania. _______________ Follow us on: Instagram ...
Ep.13 - Milk, Mercury and Menopause
25 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Daisy and Olivia explore some Ms in the history of medicine: milk, mercury and menopause. _______________ Follow us on: Instagram - @...
Ep.12 - Lying-In, Lobotomy and Lead
11 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Daisy and Olivia explore some Ls in the history of medicine: lying-in lobotomy and lead. _______________ Follow us on: Instagram - @...
Ep.11 - Keyser's Pills, Kelp and Kidney Stones
28 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Daisy, Olivia and Charlotte explore some Ks in the history of medicine: Keyser’s pills, kelp and kidney stones. _______________ Fo...
Ep.8 - Halitosis, Hemlock and Hysteria
14 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s episode, Daisy, Olivia and Laura hit the Hs: halitosis, hemlock and hysteria. _______________ Follow us on: Twitter - @RCPEHeritage...
Ep.10 - Juniper, Jet lag and jealousy
14 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Daisy and Olivia tackle some of the Js in the history of medicine: juniper, jet lag, and jealousy. _______________ Follow us on: Tw...
Ep.9 - Insomnia, Iron and the Itch
14 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Daisy and Olivia discuss some Is in the history of medicine: insomnia, itch, and iron. _______________ Follow us on: Twitter - @RC...
Ep.7 - Glass Delusion, Gangrene And Godfrey's Cordial
31 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s episode, Daisy and Olivia tackle some Gs in the history of medicine: glass delusion, gangrene and Godfrey’s Cordial. _____________...
Ep.6 - Forceps, Food and Flatulence
17 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s episode, Daisy, Charlotte and Olivia chat about the Fs – forceps, food and flatulence. _______________ Follow us on: Twitter - @RC...
Ep. 5 - Electric Eels, Emetics And Eggs
03 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Daisy and Olivia evaluate the Es: electric eels, emetics, and eggs. _______________ Follow us on: Twitter - @RCPEHeritage Instagram ...
Ep.4 - Dancing Plague, Digitalis and Disability
20 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s episode, Daisy, Charlotte and Olivia chat about the Ds – dancing plague, digitalis and disability. _______________ Follow us on: T...
Ep.3 - Condoms, Cataracts and Coffee
06 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s episode, Daisy and Olivia chat about the Cs – condoms, cataracts and coffee. _______________ Follow us on: Twitter - @RCPEHeritage...
Ep.2 - Beavers, Birthmarks and Bathing
22 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s episode, Daisy and Olivia chat about the Bs – beavers, birthmarks and bathing. _______________ Follow us on: Twitter - @RCPEHerita...
Ep.1 - Anaesthesia, Autopsy and Antidotes
08 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s episode, Daisy, Charlotte, and Olivia chat about the As – anaesthesia, autopsies and antidotes. _______________ Follow us on: Twi...
Ep.15 - Ambrose Parry
25 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this talk Dr Marisa Haetzman discusses her bestselling writing as one half of the creative duo known as Ambrose Parry. You can also watch this ta...
Ep.14 - Human And Animal Health
11 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this talk Prof. Erica Fudge discusses the interlinks between human and animal medicine in history. You can also watch this talk on our website: ht...
Ep.13 - Marie Stopes
27 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this talk Dr Claire Jones explores the writing of birth control advocate Marie Stopes before the Second World War. You can also watch this talk on...
Ep.12 - A History Of Menstruation
13 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this talk Dr Camilla Mørk Røstvik presents the sanitary bin in its historical context for the first time, and argues that it reveals changing att...
Ep.11 - The Coffin
30 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this talk Dr Dan O'Brien discusses the history of funerals and coffins. You can also watch this talk on our website: https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/herita...
Ep.10 - Vital Organs
16 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This lecture explores some famous historical body parts, through the eyes of author Suzie Edge. You can also watch this talk on our website: https://...
Ep.09 - Death Of Kings
02 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this talk Dr Jessica Sharkey considers why Henry VIII is buried in relative obscurity, why Edward VI was cast as a sickly Lord Fauntleroy and why E...
Ep.08 - Historical Reflections On Burn Scars
19 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this talk Professor Jonathan Reinarz explores the history of burn scars over the last two centuries. You can also watch this talk on our website: ...
Ep.07 - What Is A Good Death
05 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this talk Prof Seamus O'Mahony, a member of the Lancet Commission on The Value of Death, explores the idea of a 'good death' in the 21st century. ...
Ep.06 - Roald Dahl's Marvellous Medicine
21 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This lecture explores Roald Dahl and his interest in medicine through the eyes of his doctor and friend, Professor Tom Solomon. You can also watch th...
Ep.05 - From Spots To Pox
07 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this talk Dr Katie Aske discusses the history of skincare. You can also watch this talk on our website: https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/heritage/talks/skin...
Ep.04 - Health And Disability In Convict Sydney
24 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this talk Dr Emily Cock uses some of the immense volume of colonial administrative paperwork to illuminate experiences of individual prisoners with...
Ep.03 - Food, Drink And The Maintenance Of Health
10 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How did people in the past decide what to eat and what not to? What factors shaped their decisions? How did they obtain the information necessary to s...
Ep.02 - The History Of Condoms
26 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this talk Dr Kate Stephenson explores the strange and fascinating history of condoms. You can also watch this talk on our website: https://www.rc...
Ep.01 - An Untold History Of Tattooing
12 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this talk Dr Matt Lodder presents an overview of his new book ‘Painted People’, and argues that through the history of tattooing, we can glean ...
Trailer
05 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We're off on a new journey into the muddy marshes of medical history! Website: www.rcpe.ac.uk/heritage Twitter: twitter.com/RCPEHeritage Instagram: i...
Ep.27 - Head To Toe - Feet
29 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This is the last episode in our Head to Toe series finishing, of course, with the feet! We set off on the right foot, put our best feet forward and ju...
Ep.26 - Head To Toe - Throat
15 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we explore the history of the throat – including lump in your throat, frog in your throat and, if you’re French, a cat in the thro...
Ep.25 - Head To Toe - Liver
01 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we’re scooping fish liver oil out of a bucket of offal in the name of health. We’re also exploring the myth of Prometheus and some...
Ep.24 - Head To Toe - Spleen
16 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we’ll explore perhaps the most confusing organ – the spleen. It’s a body part, a disease and a state of mind all in one. Accordi...
Ep.23 - Head To Toe - Brain
02 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we explore the history of the brain. Brains in jars, brains in slices, brains under the microscope - more brains than you can shake a ...
Ep.22 - Head To Toe - Legs
19 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we explore the history of the leg. There’s a lot of fashion in this episode, from the use of flannel shirts to cure gout to the erot...
Ep.21 - Head To Toe - Armpit
05 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
To sweat or not to sweat? Was sweating good or bad? Was it a treatment or a symptom? Was it something to be encouraged or prevented? The answer to all...
Ep.20 - Head To Toe - Heart
22 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we explore the history of the heart and heart-based symbolism – including the origins of the association of the heart with love and ...
Ep.19 - Head To Toe - Womb
08 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Do wombs have horns? Will the presence of a menstruating woman force bees to forsake their hives? Will your crops wither and die in the presence of me...
Ep.18 - Head To Toe - Guts
24 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we explore the history of the guts. Words and their meanings are a big part of this episode – where you can have a ‘gut feeling’...
Ep.17 - Head To Toe - Anus
10 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we explore the history of haemorrhoids, including a popular treatment which involved placing toads in the armpits. We also uncover the...
Ep.16 - Head To Toe - Bladder
27 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we explore the history of the bladder. It’s a urine-heavy episode as we take a deep dive into diuresis – including locally sourced...
Ep.15 - Head To Toe - Hands
13 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we explore hands through the ages – from the evil associated with left handed folk, to the soft white hands of the upper class woman...
Ep.14 - Head To Toe - Veins
29 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we explore the history of the veins. We’ll unpick the history of bloodletting – from leech farms to lancets, and mechanical bloodl...
Ep.13 - Head To Toe - Lungs
15 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we explore how central the lungs were to Ancient Greek and Roman ideas about medicine and the body. Renaissance illustrations of the l...
Ep.12 - Head To Toe - Muscles
01 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we explore exercise through the ages, from Ancient Greece to Victorian strong men - and their bar bending and book ripping antics. Exe...
Ep.11 - Head To Toe - Tongue
18 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The tongue has long been viewed as a meaning-laden symbol as well as a flappy mouth muscle. In this episode we explore the history of the scold’s br...
Ep.10 - Head To Toe - Fat
04 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we explore the changing perceptions of fatness – from the fashionable fatness of the 1300s, 1400s and 1500s to the weight loss schem...
Ep.9 - Head To Toe - Breasts
21 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we explore the history of the breast. We’ll unpick some myths about Amazonian warriors and supposed witches, before uncovering the c...
Ep.8 - Head To Toe - Mouth
07 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The mouth is the gateway to the body – so what better way to understand what is happening inside you, than to examine and explore the inside of your...
Ep.7 - Head To Toe - Hair
23 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hair could indicate you were virile, dangerous, untrustworthy, jealous, or just plain old unsanitary. We trace the ups and downs of hairdos, wig use a...
Ep.6 - Head To Toe - Ears
09 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hearing, and by extension the ear, was viewed as a civilising influence in the Victorian era. Music was a popular form of therapy, particularly for hy...
Ep.5 - Head To Toe - Teeth
26 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Teeth have been a constant source of pain and problems throughout history – from rotting teeth and tooth pullers, to false teeth and the horrors of ...
Ep.4 - Head To Toe - Skull
12 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Would you chow down on a human skull to treat your headache? In this episode we explore the history of medical cannibalism and how it ties in with col...
Ep.3 - Head To Toe - Nose
28 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Smell might be one of the main senses but its had a rocky history – going in and out of fashion, and written off as one of the less refined or civil...
Ep.2 - Head To Toe - Eyes
14 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The eye is one body part which has been loaded with meaning throughout history – it is a symbol, as much as it is an organ of the body. From the evi...
Ep.1 - Head To Toe - Skin
31 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When you’re talking about the history of skin, what is the line between beauty and health? In this episode we examine how doctors treatments of the ...
Ep.20 - Past & Present - Cardiology
17 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Casenotes Past & Present is a Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh podcast. In this fortnight’s episode we uncover the history of Cardiology. ‘...
Ep.19 - Past & Present - Dermatology
03 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Casenotes Past & Present is a Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh podcast. In this episode we explore the history of dermatology. We start with ...
Ep.18 - Past & Present - Paediatrics
17 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Casenotes Past & Present is a Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh podcast. In this episode we explore the history of paediatrics, including the ...
Ep.17 - Past & Present - Opthalmology
03 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Casenotes Past & Present is a Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh podcast. In this episode we explore the history of ophthalmology, or diseases ...
Ep.16 - Past & Present - Haematology
20 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Casenotes Past & Present is a Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh podcast. In this fortnight’s episode we look into the past and present of ha...
Ep.15 - Past & Present - Neurology
06 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Casenotes Past & Present is a Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh podcast. In this episode we explore the history of neurology. We start with th...
Ep.14 - Past & Present - Emergency Medicine
23 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Casenotes Past & Present is a Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh podcast. In this episode we explore the history of Emergency Medicine. From th...
Ep.13 - Past & Present - Pharmacy
09 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Casenotes Past & Present is a Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh podcast. In this episode we uncover the history of pharmacology and therapeuti...
Ep.12 - Past & Present - Respiratory
25 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Casenotes Past & Present is a Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh podcast. In this episode we explore the history of respiratory medicine. We st...
Ep.11 - Past & Present - Infectious Diseases
11 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Casenotes Past & Present is a Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh podcast. In this episode we uncover the history of infectious diseases, includ...
Ep.10 - Past & Present - Oncology
28 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Casenotes Past & Present is a Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh podcast. In this episode we uncover the history of oncology, or the study and ...
Ep.9 - Past & Present - Gastroenterology
14 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Casenotes Past & Present is a Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh podcast. In this episode we explore the history of gastroenterology, from Anci...
Ep.8 - Past & Present - Psychiatry
30 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Casenotes Past & Present is a Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh podcast. In this fortnight’s episode we uncover the history of psychiatry, f...
Ep.7 - Past & Present - Public Health
16 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Casenotes Past & Present is a Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh podcast. In this episode we explore the history of public health, including th...
Ep.6 - Past & Present - Renal
02 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Casenotes Past & Present is a Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh podcast. In this episode we explore the history of renal medicine, examining h...
Ep.5 - Past & Present - Genito - Urinary
19 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Casenotes Past & Present is a Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh podcast. In this episode we explore the history of genito-urinary complaints, ...
Ep.4 - Past & Present - Geriatrics
05 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Casenotes Past & Present is a Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh podcast. In this fortnight’s episode we uncover the history of geriatric med...