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  • Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi Lamiaceae. Baikal skullcap. Distribution: China. There are several hundred species of Scutellaria, also known as skull caps, so correct identification is important - in particular from Scutellaria lateriflora an American species known as Blue skullcap. The latter is used as an abortifacient and to expel placenta by the Cherokee and for cleaning the throat by the Iroquois (Austin, 2004). Much vaunted as a treatment for rabies with unlikely statistics (1,400 cases cured by one doctor alone). Also as ‘antispasmodic, nervine, [for] chorea, convulsions, tetanus, tremors, delirium tremens, [and as a] diaphoretic and diuretic'. Toxicity symptoms include mental confusion, stupor, headache, vertigo, photophobia, dilated pupils, difficulty in micturition, bradycardia, tremulousness and languor, followed by wakefulness and restlessness (Milspaugh, 1974). Hutchens (1991) reported that it reduces sexual desire and was used for almost every nervous illness. Scutellaria baicalensis contains baicalin, baicalein and wogonin (European Medicines Agency, September 2010). It is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for treating inflammation, cancer, bacterial and viral infections of the lungs and gut and is one of the '50 Chinese herbs' in the lists of some authors. Scutellaria lateriflora (combined with Verbena officinalis, Passiflora incarnata and the seed of Avena sativa (oats) is licensed for use in Britain as a herbal medicine for temporary relief of mild symptoms of stress such as mild anxiety and to aid sleep, based upon traditional use only. Scutellaria baicalensis is not licensed for use in the UK (UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)). Photographed in the Medicinal Garden of the Royal College of Physicians, London.
  • A mentally ill patient in a strait-jacket attached to the wall and a strange barrel shaped contraption around his legs. Photograph after a wood engraving by E. Tritschler, 1908.
  • A mentally ill patient in a strait-jacket attached to the wall and a strange barrel shaped contraption around his legs. Photograph after a wood engraving by E. Tritschler, 1908.
  • Mentally ill people in the garden of an asylum, a warden lurks in the background. Engraving by K.H. Merz under the direction of S. Amsler, c. 1834, after W. Kaulbach.
  • Mentally ill people in the garden of an asylum, a warden lurks in the background. Engraving by K.H. Merz under the direction of S. Amsler, c. 1834, after W. Kaulbach.
  • Vaslav Nijinsky, a ballet dancer, in a scene from Gìsèle'. Reproduction of a photograph by Roosen, 1934.
  • A woman diagnosed as suffering from melancholia. Lithograph, 1892, after a drawing made for Sir Alexander Morison.
  • A woman diagnosed as suffering from mania. Colour lithograph, 1892, after J. Williamson, 1890.
  • A woman diagnosed as suffering from hilarious mania. Colour lithograph, 1892, after J. Williamson, 1890.
  • A woman diagnosed as suffering from melancholia. Lithograph, 1892, after a drawing made for Sir Alexander Morison.
  • A distraught bare-breasted woman with staring eyes, straw in her hair and chained wrists, representing madness. Mezzotint by W. Dickinson, 1775, after R.E. Pine.
  • Mad Margery, a young woman driven mad and living in the fields. Oil painting attributed to J.J. Hill, 18--.
  • Mad Margery, a young woman driven mad and living in the fields. Oil painting attributed to J.J. Hill, 18--.
  • Mad Margery, a young woman driven mad and living in the fields. Oil painting attributed to J.J. Hill, 18--.
  • Mad Margery, a young woman driven mad and living in the fields. Oil painting attributed to J.J. Hill, 18--.
  • Photograph described as 'Jew neuropath traveller'
  • Photographs: "Myxoedeme fruste de l'enfance et pelade"
  • Male figure showing signs of Paget's disease
  • Photograph described as showing a 'Man Mummy'. Caption: 'Un "Homme Momie"'
  • Male figure with ataxic arthropathy of the hips
  • Photograph: Tabetic arthropathies of the two knees
  • Photograph showing primitive myopathy
  • Two photographs showing different facial expressions
  • Photograph showing deformity of the hand and fingers
  • Four photographs: Female figure with signs of anorexia
  • Figure with gigantism acromegaly and diabetes
  • Photograph: Male figure after thyroid treatment
  • Figure showing right or symmetrical stance
  • Male figure with tabetic arthropathy
  • Photograph: Hermaphrodite figure