Wellcome uses cookies.

Read our policy
Wellcome Collection homepage
All
Stories
Images
Catalogue
Events
911 results
  • Myrtus communis L. Myrtaceae Myrtle Distribution: Europe. Dioscorides (Beck, 2005) recommends the fruit for treating haemoptysis (‘spitting blood’) and cystitis, and, if boiled, he said it made a fine wine. In various forms it was used as a hair dye, for sore eyes, anal and uterine prolapse, dandruff and shingles, all sorts of inflammations, scorpion bites and even sweaty armpits. Our plant has white berries, but he regarded those with black berries (they become black later in the season) as being more effective. Lyte (1576) adds that the juice of the berries kept the hair black and stopped it falling out, and prevented intoxication. He notes that it only flowered in hot summers in England, but it is reliable in flower now, either due to global warming or selection of suitable clones. According to Lyte, it is named after Merlyne, a fair maiden of Athens in ancient Greece, who judged the athletic games. Slain by a disgruntled competitor, the goddess Minerva brought her back as the myrtle tree in perpetual memory. The myrtle tree is also an ancient Jewish symbol for peace and justice. Myrtle wine is still made in Tuscany and now even in China. Photographed in the Medicinal Garden of the Royal College of Physicians, London.
  • Capsicum annuum 'Masquerade' Distribution: Central and South America. This ‘domesticated species’ originated from Mexico (although the centre of Capsicum evolution was much earlier and from Bolivia) and includes the bland salad peppers and the hot chilli peppers, of which capsaicin (sometimes called capsicain), from the lining of the inside of the chilli, is the main active ingredient. Chilli comes from the Aztec language of the Nahuatl people. It was reputedly introduced to Europe by Columbus in the mid-15th century, but was cultivated in Mexico since 4,000 BCE and used in cooking since 7,200 BCE. After its introduction to Europe, its cultivation very rapidly became world-wide. It appears first as a description (Bock, 1539) with the name teutschem Pfeffer. The first illustration, as Siliquastrum, appears in Historia Stirpes commentarii insignis (Fuchs, 1542). Fuchs did not realise it came from the Americas, as he identified it as a plant described by Pliny, Dioscorides and Avicenna and gave their uses of it. It appear in Dodoen's Cruydeboeck (1551) and Lyte's translation (1557) with the note that it is 'hot and drie in the third degree.' He recommended it for dressing meat, and noted that it 'warmeth the stomach' and was good for a sore throat, scrofula, and topically got rid of spots. Fuch's had reported these properties as being described by Avicenna, but what that plant was is unknown. Lindley (1838) wrote: 'It is employed in medicine, in combination with Cinchona in intermittent and lethargic affections, and also in atonic gout, dyspepsia accompanied by flatulence, tympanitis, paralysis etc. Its most valuable application appears however to be in cynanche maligna [=severe sore throat, with impending suffocation] and scarlatina maligna [=severe scarlet fever], used either as a gargle or administered internally.' However, its principal use medically has been in pain relief, applied locally for pain from muscle injury to post herpetic neuralgia. Capsaicin acts on the pain and heat sensing neurones to make them trigger the sensation of pain at body temperature. Repeated exposure to capsaicin depletes the neurotransmitter substance P that is used to perceive pain, so the relevant nerves no longer transmit the sensation of pain/heat from any cause. It is a banned substance in the equestrian events at the Olympics because of its ability to stop perception of pain. Capsaicin has been shown, experimentally, to kill cancer cells by attacking their mitochondria. Particular interest has concentrated on its ability to reduce the size of tumours of the pancreas and prostate. Various cultivars are used in cooking, and the strength (i.e. how hot they are) is measured in Scoville units. A standard chilli pepper used in England would be around 5,000 Scovilles, the hottest peppers are rated over one million Scoville units. Photographed in the Medicinal Garden of the Royal College of Physicians, London.
  • Tower Hamlets HIV/AIDS services : an easy guide / Social Services Strategy Group.
  • Tower Hamlets HIV/AIDS services : an easy guide / Social Services Strategy Group.
  • Tower Hamlets HIV/AIDS services / Dorothy Mukasa, HIV/AIDS Development Officer, Tower Hamlets Social Services Strategy Group.
  • Tower Records and Mercury Communications present Counter Revolution : a 24 hour charity event : on 1st December come to Tower Records, Piccadilly and help support World AIDS Day.
  • Plan of the gardens of the Zoological Society in the Regents Park, London.
  • Plan of the gardens of the Zoological Society in the Regents Park, London.
  • Monday, Dec. 20th first appearance of the wonderful Belgian giant (8 ft. high) Alfredo Devartos : (24 years of age) trumpeter in the guards of the King of Belgium, & the tallest man in the whole army) ... last five nights of the Schaffer Troupe ... / Canterbury Theatre of Varieties, Westminster Bridge Road.
  • Domine dirige nos / [Corporation of the City of London].
  • Domine dirige nos / [Corporation of the City of London].
  • With compliments / The Library, the Royal Veterinary College, University of London ; Librarian: Linda D. Warden.
  • With the Librarian's compliments / Royal Veterinary College (University of London).
  • Poop scoop campaign / Lewisham Directorate of Environmental Services ; Contracts Management Group.
  • Poop scoop campaign / Lewisham Directorate of Environmental Services ; Contracts Management Group.
  • HIV & AIDS : services for everyone / Hounslow.
  • HIV & AIDS : services for everyone / Hounslow.
  • HIV & AIDS : services for everyone / Hounslow.
  • The challenge of AIDS : a talk/workshop with Arif Dyrud, B.A.Dip.Ed. D.S.H. : Tuesday 7th March 1989, 8.00pm at The Evergreen Clinic of Homoeopathy.
  • ICA Talks : AIDS: the cultural agenda / director of talks, Erica Carter.
  • British journal of ophthalmology.
  • Re-engagement owing to enormous success of Joe Elvin in a personally conducted trip on The Tram ("Fares, please.") ... : The extraordinary, phenomenal colossal Russian Fat Girl, Miss Lucie, the heaviest girl in the world. Aged 16 years. Weight 350 lbs. ... / Canterbury Theatre of Varieties, Westminster Bridge Road, S.E.
  • Orders conceived and published by the Lord Maior and Aldermen of the City of London, concerning the infection of the plague.
  • Orders conceived and published by the Lord Maior and Aldermen of the City of London, concerning the infection of the plague.
  • Orders conceived and published by the Lord Maior and Aldermen of the City of London, concerning the infection of the plague.
  • Orders conceived and published by the Lord Maior and Aldermen of the City of London, concerning the infection of the plague.
  • Orders conceived and published by the Lord Maior and Aldermen of the City of London, concerning the infection of the plague.
  • Orders conceived and published by the Lord Maior and Aldermen of the City of London, concerning the infection of the plague.
  • Orders conceived and published by the Lord Maior and Aldermen of the City of London, concerning the infection of the plague.
  • Orders conceived and published by the Lord Maior and Aldermen of the City of London, concerning the infection of the plague.