Ugliness, Urticaria and Universal Medicine

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

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

In this episode, Daisy and Olivia eulogise some of the Us in the history of medicine: ugliness, urticaria and universal medicines. Find out how laws inadvertently created ‘freak shows’, how skin can act as a kind of paper and why eagle feathers are better than chicken feathers. From the circus to King James IV of Scotland, join Daisy and Olivia as they discuss the Us.

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.