Episodes

Jan. 29, 2026

Ep.7 - Air Loom

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 uncover the story of its creator - James Tilly Matthews.
Jan. 15, 2026

Ep.6 - Thistle

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.
Jan. 1, 2026

Ep.5- Artificial Wine

This week, we’re talking about an object from our temporary exhibition ‘Hooked’ – ‘A treatise of new artificial wines’. The author of this book was a distiller, alchemist and chemist.
Dec. 18, 2025

Ep.4 - Jamaica Ginger

This week, we’re talking about an object from our temporary exhibition ‘Hooked’ – Jamaica Ginger, a Prohibition-era American medicine which was highly alcoholic and contained a range of noxious ingredients.
Dec. 4, 2025

Ep.3 - Tree of Intemperance

This week, we’re talking about an object from our temporary exhibition ‘Hooked’ – The Tree of Intemperance, an 1800s American illustration with an admonishing moral message.
Nov. 20, 2025

Ep.2 - Electro Machine

We’re exploring different objects on display in our Physicians’ Gallery.
Nov. 6, 2025

Ep.1 - Erotomania

In this episode, we’re talking about an object from our temporary exhibition ‘Hooked’ – a 1600s book called Erotomania, which explores the addictive nature of unrequited love. The Team: Dr Charlotte Holmes (@_CCHolmes_) - Edi...
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...
July 31, 2025

Ep.20 - Tea, Thyroid and Tobacco

In this episode, Daisy and Olivia talk through some Ts in the history of medicine: tea, thyroids and tobacco.
July 17, 2025

Ep.19 - Scurvy, Snuff and Sympathetic Medicine

In this episode, Daisy, Charlotte and Olivia discuss some Ss in the history of medicine: scurvy, sympathetic medicine and snuff.
July 3, 2025

Ep.18 - Radium, Rosacea and Rabies

In this episode, Daisy and Olivia rant about some Rs in the history of medicine: rabies, rosacea and radium girls.
June 19, 2025

Ep.17 - Quinine, Quarantine and Quacks

In this episode, Daisy, Charlotte and Olivia talk about some Qs in the history of medicine: quinine, quarantine and quackery.
June 5, 2025

Ep.16 - Pregnancy, Pepys and Phrenology

In this episode, Daisy, Laura and Olivia explore some Ps in the history of medicine: pregnancy, Pepys and phrenology.
May 22, 2025

Ep.15 - Oranges, Obesity and Osteoporosis

In this episode, Daisy, Charlotte and Olivia discuss some Os in the history of medicine: oranges, obesity and osteoporosis.
May 8, 2025

Ep.14 - Nurses, Nails and Nymphomania

In this episode, Daisy and Olivia explore some Ns in the history of medicine: nurses, nails and nymphomania.
April 24, 2025

Ep.13 - Milk, Mercury and Menopause

In this episode, Daisy and Olivia explore some Ms in the history of medicine: milk, mercury and menopause.
April 10, 2025

Ep.12 - Lying-In, Lobotomy and Lead

In this episode, Daisy and Olivia explore some Ls in the history of medicine: lying-in, lobotomy and lead.
March 27, 2025

Ep.11 - Keyser's Pills, Kelp and Kidney Stones

In this episode, Daisy, Olivia and Charlotte explore some Ks in the history of medicine: Keyser's pills, kelp and kidney stones.
March 14, 2025

Ep.10 - Juniper, Jet lag and Jealousy

In this episode, Daisy and Olivia tackle some of the Js in the history of medicine: juniper, jet lag, and jealousy.