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  • In pictures

Pepys and the plague

Through its long history, London has survived some enormous epidemics. During the 1665 Great Plague of London, the city burned, shops closed, the streets emptied and bodies piled up. Read Samuel Pepys’s account of how the city pulled through.

  • In pictures

A history of medical masks

The now ubiquitous face mask was first used by artists working with toxic substances. See how its design and use has evolved over centuries of plagues and pathogens.

  • In pictures

Measure for measure?

From censuses to smartwatches, Ross MacFarlane shows how we have tracked health across the centuries.

  • In pictures

Superstition, contagion and medical rumour

The great generator of confusion, rumours have not spared human health from their chaos. Find out how whispers, gossip and rumours have caused medical mishaps through the ages.

All stories (20)

Images

  • The natural history of Aleppo. Containing a description of the city, and the principal natural productions in its neighbourhood. Together with an account of the climate, inhabitants, and diseases; particularly of the plague / By Alex. Russell, M. D.
  • The natural history of Aleppo, and parts adjacent. Containing a description of the city, and the principal natural productions in its neighbourhood; together with an account of the climate, inhabitants, and diseases; particularly of the plague, with the methods used by the Europeans for their preservation / By Alex. Russell, M. D.
  • The natural history of Aleppo, and parts adjacent. Containing a description of the city, and the principal natural productions in its neighbourhood; together with an account of the climate, inhabitants, and diseases; particularly of the plague, with the methods used by the Europeans for their preservation / By Alex. Russell, M. D.
  • The natural history of Aleppo, and parts adjacent. Containing a description of the city, and the principal natural productions in its neighbourhood; together with an account of the climate, inhabitants, and diseases; particularly of the plague, with the methods used by the Europeans for their preservation / By Alex. Russell, M. D.
  • Plague and pestilence in literature and art / by Raymond Crawfurd.
  • Plague and pestilence in literature and art / by Raymond Crawfurd.
  • Plague and pestilence in literature and art / by Raymond Crawfurd.
  • Plague and pestilence in literature and art / by Raymond Crawfurd.
  • Plague and pestilence in literature and art / by Raymond Crawfurd.
  • Der schwarze Tod : eine Chronik der Pest 1348-1720, unter Benutzung zeitgenössischer Quellen / bearbeited von Johannes Nohl. Mit zahlreichen Abbildungen.
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