Exhibition Launch of Poxed: Germs in History

Thursday 29 October 2026

6pm - 8pm 

No.11 Queen Street, Edinburgh, EH2 1JQ

Tickets £10

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This event celebrates the launch of our new exhibition 'Poxed: Germs in History'.

The event will begin in our foyer with a reception. You will then have the opportunity to hear two speakers, Professor Christos Lynteris and Dr Janet Scott. Christos will discuss the history of infectious diseases while Janet will discuss modern infectious diseases.

The reception will then continue with the opportunity to visit our new exhibition.

About the exhibition

Using books, illustrations and objects from our collections, this exhibition explores the changing history of humanity’s relationship with microorganisms. From fear and superstitions to scientific discoveries, from magic spells to vaccines, this exhibition shows the human cost of epidemic diseases and the ways germs changed the way we live today.

The first theme of the exhibition explores the ways people coped with the constant threat of epidemics in times of ignorance and superstitions. The second theme looks at early medical theories of infection and the first glimpses into the secret word of germs.

The third theme explores the fear and stigma that followed sick and infected people through history. Finally, it looks at the history of different therapies against infectious diseases and the development of vaccines.