Local Schools And Families To Meet Plague Doctor

Main Category: Primary Care / General Practice
Article Date: 16 Jun 2009 - 1:00 PDT

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In June, the Royal College of Physicians will be holding a series of workshops with local schools and families exploring The Great Plague of 1665 and the involvement of the Royal College of Physicians.

This is part of a month-long festival The Story of London, Past, Present and Future taking place throughout June 2009. The festival promotes London's rich cultural and historical heritage, celebrates its vibrant present and looks forward to its exciting future.

A historical actor will bring to life 17th-century Nathaniel Hodges, one of the few physicians to remain in London when the epidemic hit. Participants will have the opportunity to handle replica artefacts and try on a plague doctor's clothing, as they learn about the life of a 17th-century physician, the tools of his trade, and the diagnosis and treatment of the plague - including some weird and wonderful remedies such as the flesh of rattlesnakes and power of toads.

Participants will also have the chance to explore prints, plague treatises, recipe books, and herbals from the College's collections, and use these as inspiration to create their own treatments and botanical cures for 17th-century illnesses and modern day ailments.

Notes

1. More information about the workshop is available here.

2. Booking details:

The free family workshop will take place on Saturday 20 June from

10.30 am to 12.30 pm at The Royal College of Physicians, 11 St Andrews Place, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4LE . The workshop is aimed at 9-14 year olds and their parents or carers. Places are limited and booking is essential. Call 0207 935 1174 ext 543 or email: heritage@rcplondon.ac.uk to book a place.

3. For more information about the schools and family workshops contact Bridget Telfer, Audience Development Co-ordinator, on 0207 935 1174 Ext 510

Source
Royal College of Physicians