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  • Article

A history of twins in science

For thousands of years, twins have been a source of fascination in mythology, religion and the arts. Since the 19th century, they have also been the subject of scientific study and experimentation.

  • In pictures

Laughing gas and the scientific pursuit of the sublime

Part science lecture. part public spectacle, thanks to chemist Humphry Davy the 19th-century craze for inhaling nitrous oxide rapidly spread from the science laboratory to fashionable salons and homes of the day, and onto the popular stage.

  • Article

Homes for the hives of industry

By building workers’ villages, industry titans demonstrated both philanthropy and control. Employees’ health improved, while rulebooks told them how to live ideal lives.

  • Article

Coleridge’s hypochondria

An intense focus on his own bodily sensations led poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge to self-medicate with narcotics. But this fascination also put Coleridge ahead of the medical sensibilities of his day.

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Images

  • Interior of chemical laboratory in the 19th century
  • An alchemist reading in a romanticised laboratory setting. Watercolour painting, 19th century.
  • Design for a general laboratory. 1822
  • W. Trautschold, Leibig's Laboratory at Giessen. 19th C
  • Laboratory at Surrey Institution, London, 1810
  • D'Ailly's Laboratory, 1815
  • Laboratory 2nd floor, Wellcome Chemical Research Laboratories. 19th C
  • Laboratory 1st floor, Wellcome Chemical Research Laboratories. 19th C
  • Laboratory 3rd floor, Wellcome Chemical Research Laboratories. 19th C
  • Balance cases, Wellcome Chemical Research Laboratories. 19th C
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