Ep.4 - Head To Toe - Skull
Join us as we explore the history of medicine, from head to toe! This time: the skull.
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 colonialism and Victorian high society. In a world where you can nip down the shops for a jar of fresh femurs, exactly how far was too far?
We also explore the history of phrenology and the medical significance of examining the skull.
Credits
Researcher and presenter: Laura Burgess has been a volunteer with RCPE Heritage since 2021 after completing her MA in History from UNC Charlotte.
Editor and producer: Sarah E Hayward completed her PhD in Museums and Heritage Studies at Kingston University London in 2023. She has been a volunteer with RCPE Heritage since 2021. She has a passion for archival research and she loves to explore creative ways to assemble and share the hidden stories she uncovers.
Researcher and presenter: Olivia Howarth is a volunteer with RCPE Heritage, a recently qualified archivist, heritage enthusiast and self-proclaimed lifetime nerd with an interest in medical history.
Guest clip: Professor Dame Sue Black DBE is a forensic anthropologist, anatomist and academic.
Website
RCPE Gallery & Library Website
Social media
RCPE Gallery & Library Bluesky
RCPE Gallery & Library Facebook
RCPE Gallery & Library Instagram
RCPE Gallery & Library X/Twitter
RCPE Gallery & Library YouTube
Newsletter
RCPE Gallery & Library Newsletter
Donate
Listen On
New to Physicians' Gallery?
Here are some great episodes to start with.
