Anaesthesia, Autopsy and Antidotes

A podcast series exploring the history of medicine - from A to Z.

The podcast is available on Spotify, iTunes, Podbean and Soundcloud.

In this week’s episode, Daisy, Charlotte, and Olivia chat about the As – anaesthesia, autopsies and antidotes.

Through these diverse topics, the trio explore the history of chloroform, its connection to the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh and the much famed chloroform parties held by Victorian aristocrats. They also discuss some famous autopsies and the Ancient Greek emphasis on the art of autopsia. And last but not least, the topic of antidotes with bezoars and unicorn horns. So, from nitrous oxide to forensic autopsy - let us all explore some As in the history of medicine.   

The Team:
Laura Burgess has been a volunteer with the Physicians' Gallery since 2021 after completing her MA in History from UNC Charlotte. She is interested in the history of mental health and loves to explore new creative methods to share history.
Sarah E Hayward earned her PhD in Museums and Heritage Studies, with a focus on the history of learning disability, from Kingston University London in 2023. She now works in the Archive Service at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability (RHN) in Putney.
Sarah has been a dedicated volunteer with the Physicians' Gallery since 2021. She has a passion for archival research and loves to explore creative ways to share the hidden stories she uncovers.
Charlotte Holmes received her PhD in History from the University of Edinburgh in 2022 and she has been volunteering with the Physicians' Gallery since 2019. Her main interest is in Scottish medical history but she has recently been researching the disabled experience in early modern Scotland.
Olivia Howarth is a volunteer with the Physicians' Gallery, a qualified archivist, heritage enthusiast and self-proclaimed lifetime nerd with an interest in medical history.