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  • Article

The extraordinary body of Evatima Tardo

Darling of 19th-century American freak shows, Evatima Tardo remained serene as she withstood crucifixion and the bites of poisonous snakes. But she took the secret behind her abilities to her grave.

  • Article

The doctor who challenged the unicorn myth

Our era of fake news and medical misinformation is nothing new. Estelle Paranque relays the thrusts and parries of a 440-year-old row over a magical cure-all, the unicorn horn.

  • Article

The origins and meanings of pharmacy symbols

What have snakes, unicorns and crocodiles got to do with pharmacies? The history of these modern signs goes back to the Greek gods.

  • Article

Finding solidarity in arachnophobia

Arachnophobia is very different from just disliking spiders. Izzie Price shares the reality of having the phobia, and explores its likely origins.

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Images

  • Directions for using 'Stypven' Russell Viper Venom (not for injection).
  • Directions for using 'Stypven' Russell Viper Venom (not for injection).
  • Snake charmer holding an Egyptian cobra (<I>Naja haje</I>), whose venom immobolises its prey by attacking the nervous system. The Brooklyn Museum Papyri from Ancient Egypt includes a book of snakebites which describes all the possible snakes to be found in Egypt with a compendium of treatments. The papyri were translated in 1966-1967 by Serge Sauneron.
  • Treatise on the venom of the viper; on the American poisons; and on the cherry laurel, and some other vegetable poisons. To which are annexed, observations on the primitive structure of the animal body; different experiments on the reproduction of the nerves; and a description of a new canal of the eye ... / Translated from the original French of Felix Fontana ... by Joseph Skinner.
  • Treatise on the venom of the viper; on the American poisons; and on the cherry laurel, and some other vegetable poisons. To which are annexed, observations on the primitive structure of the animal body; different experiments on the reproduction of the nerves; and a description of a new canal of the eye ... / Translated from the original French of Felix Fontana ... by Joseph Skinner.
  • An operator treating Ann Ford, a society lady, with "Perkins's tractors", for her venomous tongue. Coloured etching by C. Williams, 1802.
  • An operator treating Ann Ford, a society lady, with "Perkins's tractors", for her venomous tongue. Coloured etching by C. Williams, 1802.
  • The Thanatophidia of India : being a description of the venomous snakes of the Indian Peninsula, with an account of the influence of their poison on life, and a series of experiments / by J. Fayrer.
  • The Thanatophidia of India : being a description of the venomous snakes of the Indian Peninsula, with an account of the influence of their poison on life, and a series of experiments / by J. Fayrer.
  • The Thanatophidia of India : being a description of the venomous snakes of the Indian Peninsula, with an account of the influence of their poison on life, and a series of experiments / by J. Fayrer.
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