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About the series
Andrew Cunningham writes and narrates a major new 30 part history series charting the development of western medicine and healing from the ancient Greek to the pioneering organ transplant operations of the 20th century and beyond. Read more in about the series.
There are many websites on the history of medicine. Here are a few you might like to visit.
Kill or Cure Quiz
Put your assumptions and preconceptions about historical medicine to the test with this quick quiz from the Open University.
Andreas Vesalius, De Fabrica Corpori Humani
On the Fabric of the Human Body is one of the most influential and beautiful medical books of all time. This website allows you to browse through the stunning anatomical drawings as well as the text itself.
Medicine in Edinburgh
The website of Lothian Health Services Archives includes two short silent films – one about the work of the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, the other about the public health services in the city in the early 20th c. Click on “Images and Texts of Medicine” to find these and other documents.
Thackray Medical Museum
This award-winning museum is one of the UK’s leading museums, telling the story of medicine and explaining how advances in medicine have changed our lives.
The Medical Front in World War I
The First World War saw medicine organised on an industrial scale and allowed women doctors and nurses to work close to the frontline. This website gives access to images and diaries from medical staff, giving a vivid picture of medicine practised under the most appalling conditions.
The Old Operating Theatre and Herb Garret at St. Thomas’ Hospital, London
A rare example of an early 19th century operating theatre. The theatre is open to the public, but the website allows you to take a virtual tour and includes lots of information on the history of St. Thomas’ Hospital.
Medical Museums
There are a surprising number of medical museums in Britain. Here are a few that you might like to visit – in person or online. Many other institutions – the Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons, hospitals and medical schools have museums and archives which are open to the public.
Hunterian Museum, Royal College of Surgeons of England
This website offers medical information on surgical issues covering England.
The Wellcome Gallery in the Science Museum, London
This website is devoted to contemporary science and technology.
Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
This website offers medical information on surgical issues covering Scotland.
St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, London
This website provides an exhibition which traces the history of St Bartholome's from 1123 to the modern day.
The BBC and the Open University are not responsible for the content of external websites.
Content last updated: 16/01/2007
