Physicians' Gallery

Physicians' Gallery

This fortnightly podcast from the Physicians' Gallery at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE) explores the history of medicine.

In the original 'Casenotes' series we heard from historians specialising in a huge range of subjects - including the history of poisons, syphilis, wartime medicine and mental illness.

Our series, 'Casenotes: Past and Present', devotes each episode to a different medical specialty. By exploring the history and interviewing currently practicing clinicians we will uncover the many changes, and the similarities, between medicine in the past and medical practices now.

Our series, 'Casenotes: Head to Toe', explores the history of medicine through different parts of the human body.

In our fourth series, 'Casenotes: Historian Series', we hear from academics and writers about a variety of topics in the history of medicine, including burns, animals and kings.

The current series, 'A-Z' explores topics starting with one letter per episode - from antidotes to zinc.

Recent Episodes

Oct. 23, 2025

Ep.26 - Zeus, Zoonosis and Zits

In this episode, Daisy and Olivia talk about some Zs in the history of medicine: Zeus, zoonosis and zits.
Oct. 9, 2025

Ep.25 - Yawning, Yellow Fever and Yoghurt

In this episode, Daisy and Olivia yap about some Ys in the history of medicine: yawning, yellow fever and yogurt. The Team: Olivia Howarth (Researcher/Presenter) is a volunteer with RCPE Heritage, a qualified archivist, herit...
Sept. 25, 2025

Ep.24 - X-Mas, X-Rays and Xavier (Saint)

In this episode, Daisy and Olivia expound on some Xs in the history of medicine: x-mas, x-rays and Xavier. The Team: Olivia Howarth (Researcher/Presenter) is a volunteer with RCPE Heritage, a qualified archivist, heritage ent...
Sept. 11, 2025

Ep.23 - Warts, Witches and Widowhood

In this episode, Daisy, Laura and Olivia wax lyrical about some Ws in the history of medicine: witches, warts and widows. The Team: Olivia Howarth (Researcher/Presenter) is a volunteer with RCPE Heritage, a qualified archivis...
Aug. 28, 2025

Ep.22 - Vampirism, Virginity and Vaccines

In this episode, Daisy, Laura and Olivia talk about some Vs in the history of medicine: virgins, vampirism and vaccines. The Team: Olivia Howarth (Researcher/Presenter) is a volunteer with RCPE Heritage, a qualified archivist...
Aug. 14, 2025

Ep.21 - Ugliness, Urticaria and Universal Medicine

In this episode, Daisy and Olivia eulogise some of the Us in the history of medicine: ugliness, urticaria and universal medicines. The Team: Olivia Howarth (Researcher/Presenter) is a volunteer with RCPE Heritage, a qualified...

About the Host

Dr Daisy Cunynghame Profile Photo

Dr Daisy Cunynghame

Host

Daisy Cunynghame completed an MA in Modern History at the University of St Andrews and a Higher Diploma in Archival Studies at University College Dublin. She is the Heritage Manager & Librarian for the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE). She was awarded her PhD by the University of Edinburgh in 2020. The focus of this work was ‘The Roles of the Edinburgh, Kelso, and Newcastle Dispensaries in Charitable Relief, 1776-1810’. Her research investigates public health initiatives in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries in Scotland and the north of England, with a particular focus on the patient experience within the dispensary system.

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