The Good, The Bad and The Deadly: Medicine in the 18th Century
- Apr 15
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 23
Lunchtime Lectures - Dr Johnson's House Series
Tuesday 28 July
12.30pm - 1.45pm
£3.96 (booking required)
Book now for this instalment of our monthly lunchtime lectures, part of an annual programme of talks held at Dr Johnson's House, kindly sponsored by The Fleet Street Quarter BID.
Medicine, but not as we know it, in the 18th century
Throughout the eighteenth century, although there were advances in medicine, engagement with doctors was often far from a good experience and could be deadly!
Medical ethics did not safeguard patient wellbeing and some medical advances relied on practices that would horrify us today.This talk looks at the strange mixture Georgian medicine was: a system based on erroneous antiquated teaching, superstition, ignorance and dangerous practices.
However, it also looks to its successes, from which we still benefit today, and the changing practices which somewhat negate Voltaire’s view that ‘The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease.'
Image: An ill man being bled by a surgeon.
Coloured etching after J. Gillray, 1804, after J. Sneyd. Welcome Collection.
Sheelagh James
After working in health, education and the law, I now spend an increasing amount of time in Lichfield’s two Georgian museums - Erasmus Darwin House and the Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum, volunteering as a tour guide and researching for fund raising talks on life in the 18th century.
Your ticket includes the opportunity to look around Dr Johnson's House as well as a complimentary lunch from local business Dilieto on Fleet Street.
A sandwich lunch (meat, fish, vegetarian, vegan) along with fresh cut fruits, and bottled water will be served at this event. Please be advised that we are unable to guarantee that the food provided is free from allergens.
