Hands Showing the Sign Language Alphabet by William Darton - c.1825.

From 'The art of talking with the fingers' at the Wellcome Institute.

"The learner will perceive, on a mere inspection, that the vowels, A,E,I,O and U, are represented by the thumb and fingers of the left hand, held up, as in the first figure. When a particular vowel is to be pointed out, it is to be done by distinctly touching the end of the finger which represents it, with the first finger of the right hand. The method of representing, or expressing, the other letters of the alphabet, is sufficiently described by the figures respectively annexed to the them in the plate, except that it will be necessary to point out to the learner the dotted lines in the figures H, and J, The first of these, proceeding from the end of the fingers of the left hand, indicates, that to express the letter H, the right-hand is to be passed over the left, passing it off in the direction of this line; whilst the second signifies, that to express the letter J, the end of the first finger of the right hand is to be drawn across the palm of the left hand, commencing the movement at the root or insertion of the first finger of the left hand. A fillip or flirt with the thumb and second finger of the right hand, is used to signify that the spelling of a word has been completed. It is hoped that this little publication will prove not merely the source of much innocent amusement, but that it will be found substantially valuable as a means of enabling persons unfortunately deprived of the usual organs of conversation, to carry on an intercourse with their friends."

C Ward, 101 British General Hospital, Louvain Doris Clare Zinkeisen - 1945

"I was sent all over the continent to make sketches which I brought back to work out in my studio. If the distance was too great to travel by lorry, I went to the RAF just up the road from our headquarters and got a lift by air.’ - Doris Clare Zinkeisen (1898–1991)

Clinique Chéron by Theophile Alexandre Steinlen - 1905

Baldwin's Herbal Female Pills - removes obstructions arising from cold and other causes, recommended for all disorders and irregularities of the female constitution during 'change of life'. c.1900 Wellcome Collection

Smedley's Chillie Paste is 'The King' of Cures - 1901

Barrett’s Stout - 1898

Mr Smedley's Dentist - 1913

DeWitt's Kidney and Bladder Pills - c.1900

Advert: 'If cupid wounds you with his dart, and you should wish to heal the smart, why, Dr. Hymen's well-known cure, will quickly make you well, I'm sure!' - c. 1890s

Vegetable Pills Satirical - c.1890. Via Wellcome Collection

All in search of health should wear Harness' electropathic belts - scientifically constructed for new life and vigor - C.B. Harness. Harness, C. B. Date - 1890

Baldwin's Small Herb Pills - c.1900

Artist Unknown
printed on Giclée Hahnemühle Pearl

Be a Cadet Nurse - The Girl with a Future! by Jon Whitcomb - 1940

The sun shining on blossom; representing the help given to tuberculous patients of the Herwonnen Levenskracht sanatorium. Lithograph by M. Wiegman, 192- (_).

A giant spider catching crowds of humans in its web; representing tuberculosis. By B. Cascella, ca. 1920.

A fire-eater kindling fire in his lungs with the remedy Thermogène by Leonetto Cappiello, 1909.

A Parisian seamstress suffering from anaemia is pale and weary at her sewing machine and drops her scissors; advertising the medicine Fer Bravais for anaemia. Colour lithograph by Adolphe Léon Willette 1896. 

A nursemaid_ holding a senile man in her lap and feeding him with 'Maraliment', a proprietary seaweed soup. Colour lithograph by L. Cappiello, 1920

The tree of intemperance, showing diseases and vices caused by alcohol - 18--.

"The tree of intemperance. Wine is a mocker; strong drink is raging, and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. Proverbs, XX, 1. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. Prov. XXIII, 3 ? For the glutton and drunkard shall come to poverty, and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags. Prov. XXIII, 21."

New York (115 Nassau St.) : Currier and Ives, [between 1800 and 1899]

The roots of the tree are formed by snakes inscribed "Wine", "Gin", "Rum" and "Brandy". The big snake around the trunk is inscribed "Alcohol". The trunk is inscribed "Disease", a left branch "Poverty", the lower right branch "Insanity", and the upper right branch "Misery". The building in the background is inscribed "Poor House" and the building on the right (a prison) "The way of the transgressor is hard." Extensive lettering lists the evils of alcohol on each of the apples - Wellcome

Pastilles Poncelet, 1896 by Jules Chéret (French, 1836-1932)

Train to be a Nurse - 'a distinguished career for Women' -  WW2.

Created by an unknown artist for the British Ministry of Labour and National Service, Nursing Appointments Office.

Henry Marvell Carr 'Nurse Giving an Injection of Penicillin to a Wounded Man 15th Canadian General Hospital 1944

Pink Pills for Pale People by Leonetto Cappiello, 1875-1942 - 1910

Sight is a treasure that must be preserved Sponsor- Eyewear-optics by Paul Guillermet.

Publisher - Kossuth Posters Place of publication- Paris Date- [ca 1920.]

Images from Ophthalmodouleia - 1583 by by German physician Georg Bartisch (1535–1607).

This Greek word means 'the service of the eyes', literally 'eye-service', although it can also be translated as 'when the eye is upon you', as in Ephesians 6:6 when it is usually read in the sense of 'under observation'.

Oφθαλμοδουλεια is an important work for several reasons. At a time when most scholarly works were still written in Latin, and the lingua franca of scholars all over Europe, rather than the vernacular, it was written and published in the author’s native German. The work was printed in 1583 by Matthes Stockel of Dresden at Bartisch’s own expense. It was the first systematic work in ocular disease being logically arranged, beginning with the anatomy of the head and eye and progressing to more specific treatments for strabismus, cataracts (distinguishing between the six different types), trachoma, external growths on the lids, injuries and foreign bodies. It is extremely well illustrated, containing 91 full page wood cuts, produced by Hans Hewamaul but thought to be based on Bartisch’s own watercolours. The illustrations cover eye defects, surgical instruments and methods of curing diseases and injuries of the eye. They are very detailed and in several cases use an overlay technique which enables the reader to 'dissect' parts of the head or eye by lifting up successive flaps. The book was intended for the information of both laymen and surgeons and as Daniel M Albert has suggested, its very completeness documents George Bartisch’s right to be styled 'the founder of modern ophthalmology'. - College of Optometrists

Illustration from Ophthalmodouleia by Bartisch, George - c. 1583

This Greek word means 'the service of the eyes', literally 'eye-service', although it can also be translated as 'when the eye is upon you', as in Ephesians 6:6 when it is usually read in the sense of 'under observation'. 

Oφθαλμοδουλεια is an important work for several reasons. At a time when most scholarly works were still written in Latin, and the lingua franca of scholars all over Europe, rather than the vernacular, it was written and published in the author’s native German. The work was printed in 1583 by Matthes Stockel of Dresden at Bartisch’s own expense. It was the first systematic work in ocular disease being logically arranged, beginning with the anatomy of the head and eye and progressing to more specific treatments for strabismus, cataracts (distinguishing between the six different types), trachoma, external growths on the lids, injuries and foreign bodies. It is extremely well illustrated, containing 91 full page wood cuts, produced by Hans Hewamaul but thought to be based on Bartisch’s own watercolours. The illustrations cover eye defects, surgical instruments and methods of curing diseases and injuries of the eye. They are very detailed and in several cases use an overlay technique which enables the reader to 'dissect' parts of the head or eye by lifting up successive flaps. The book was intended for the information of both laymen and surgeons and as Daniel M Albert has suggested, its very completeness documents George Bartisch’s right to be styled 'the founder of modern ophthalmology'. - College of Optometrists

This Greek word means 'the service of the eyes', literally 'eye-service', although it can also be translated as 'when the eye is upon you', as in Ephesians 6:6 when it is usually read in the sense of 'under observation'.Oφθαλμοδουλεια is an important work for several reasons. At a time when most scholarly works were still written in Latin, and the lingua franca of scholars all over Europe, rather than the vernacular, it was written and published in the author’s native German. The work was printed in 1583 by Matthes Stockel of Dresden at Bartisch’s own expense. It was the first systematic work in ocular disease being logically arranged, beginning with the anatomy of the head and eye and progressing to more specific treatments for strabismus, cataracts (distinguishing between the six different types), trachoma, external growths on the lids, injuries and foreign bodies. It is extremely well illustrated, containing 91 full page wood cuts, produced by Hans Hewamaul but thought to be based on Bartisch’s own watercolours. The illustrations cover eye defects, surgical instruments and methods of curing diseases and injuries of the eye. They are very detailed and in several cases use an overlay technique which enables the reader to 'dissect' parts of the head or eye by lifting up successive flaps. The book was intended for the information of both laymen and surgeons and as Daniel M Albert has suggested, its very completeness documents George Bartisch’s right to be styled 'the founder of modern ophthalmology'. - College of Optometrists

This Greek word means 'the service of the eyes', literally 'eye-service', although it can also be translated as 'when the eye is upon you', as in Ephesians 6:6 when it is usually read in the sense of 'under observation'.Oφθαλμοδουλεια is an important work for several reasons. At a time when most scholarly works were still written in Latin, and the lingua franca of scholars all over Europe, rather than the vernacular, it was written and published in the author’s native German. The work was printed in 1583 by Matthes Stockel of Dresden at Bartisch’s own expense. It was the first systematic work in ocular disease being logically arranged, beginning with the anatomy of the head and eye and progressing to more specific treatments for strabismus, cataracts (distinguishing between the six different types), trachoma, external growths on the lids, injuries and foreign bodies. It is extremely well illustrated, containing 91 full page wood cuts, produced by Hans Hewamaul but thought to be based on Bartisch’s own watercolours. The illustrations cover eye defects, surgical instruments and methods of curing diseases and injuries of the eye. They are very detailed and in several cases use an overlay technique which enables the reader to 'dissect' parts of the head or eye by lifting up successive flaps. The book was intended for the information of both laymen and surgeons and as Daniel M Albert has suggested, its very completeness documents George Bartisch’s right to be styled 'the founder of modern ophthalmology'. - College of Optometrists

This Greek word means 'the service of the eyes', literally 'eye-service', although it can also be translated as 'when the eye is upon you', as in Ephesians 6:6 when it is usually read in the sense of 'under observation'.Oφθαλμοδουλεια is an important work for several reasons. At a time when most scholarly works were still written in Latin, and the lingua franca of scholars all over Europe, rather than the vernacular, it was written and published in the author’s native German. The work was printed in 1583 by Matthes Stockel of Dresden at Bartisch’s own expense. It was the first systematic work in ocular disease being logically arranged, beginning with the anatomy of the head and eye and progressing to more specific treatments for strabismus, cataracts (distinguishing between the six different types), trachoma, external growths on the lids, injuries and foreign bodies. It is extremely well illustrated, containing 91 full page wood cuts, produced by Hans Hewamaul but thought to be based on Bartisch’s own watercolours. The illustrations cover eye defects, surgical instruments and methods of curing diseases and injuries of the eye. They are very detailed and in several cases use an overlay technique which enables the reader to 'dissect' parts of the head or eye by lifting up successive flaps. The book was intended for the information of both laymen and surgeons and as Daniel M Albert has suggested, its very completeness documents George Bartisch’s right to be styled 'the founder of modern ophthalmology'. - College of Optometrists 

Image from Ophthalmodouleia - 1583 by by German physician Georg Bartisch (1535–1607).

This Greek word means 'the service of the eyes', literally 'eye-service', although it can also be translated as 'when the eye is upon you', as in Ephesians 6:6 when it is usually read in the sense of 'under observation'.

Oφθαλμοδουλεια is an important work for several reasons. At a time when most scholarly works were still written in Latin, and the lingua franca of scholars all over Europe, rather than the vernacular, it was written and published in the author’s native German. The work was printed in 1583 by Matthes Stockel of Dresden at Bartisch’s own expense. It was the first systematic work in ocular disease being logically arranged, beginning with the anatomy of the head and eye and progressing to more specific treatments for strabismus, cataracts (distinguishing between the six different types), trachoma, external growths on the lids, injuries and foreign bodies. It is extremely well illustrated, containing 91 full page wood cuts, produced by Hans Hewamaul but thought to be based on Bartisch’s own watercolours. The illustrations cover eye defects, surgical instruments and methods of curing diseases and injuries of the eye. They are very detailed and in several cases use an overlay technique which enables the reader to 'dissect' parts of the head or eye by lifting up successive flaps. The book was intended for the information of both laymen and surgeons and as Daniel M Albert has suggested, its very completeness documents George Bartisch’s right to be styled 'the founder of modern ophthalmology'. - College of Optometrists

Image from Ophthalmodouleia - 1583 by by German physician Georg Bartisch (1535–1607).

This Greek word means 'the service of the eyes', literally 'eye-service', although it can also be translated as 'when the eye is upon you', as in Ephesians 6:6 when it is usually read in the sense of 'under observation'.

Oφθαλμοδουλεια is an important work for several reasons. At a time when most scholarly works were still written in Latin, and the lingua franca of scholars all over Europe, rather than the vernacular, it was written and published in the author’s native German. The work was printed in 1583 by Matthes Stockel of Dresden at Bartisch’s own expense. It was the first systematic work in ocular disease being logically arranged, beginning with the anatomy of the head and eye and progressing to more specific treatments for strabismus, cataracts (distinguishing between the six different types), trachoma, external growths on the lids, injuries and foreign bodies. It is extremely well illustrated, containing 91 full page wood cuts, produced by Hans Hewamaul but thought to be based on Bartisch’s own watercolours. The illustrations cover eye defects, surgical instruments and methods of curing diseases and injuries of the eye. They are very detailed and in several cases use an overlay technique which enables the reader to 'dissect' parts of the head or eye by lifting up successive flaps. The book was intended for the information of both laymen and surgeons and as Daniel M Albert has suggested, its very completeness documents George Bartisch’s right to be styled 'the founder of modern ophthalmology'. - College of Optometrists

Image from Ophthalmodouleia - 1583 by by German physician Georg Bartisch (1535–1607).

This Greek word means 'the service of the eyes', literally 'eye-service', although it can also be translated as 'when the eye is upon you', as in Ephesians 6:6 when it is usually read in the sense of 'under observation'.

Oφθαλμοδουλεια is an important work for several reasons. At a time when most scholarly works were still written in Latin, and the lingua franca of scholars all over Europe, rather than the vernacular, it was written and published in the author’s native German. The work was printed in 1583 by Matthes Stockel of Dresden at Bartisch’s own expense. It was the first systematic work in ocular disease being logically arranged, beginning with the anatomy of the head and eye and progressing to more specific treatments for strabismus, cataracts (distinguishing between the six different types), trachoma, external growths on the lids, injuries and foreign bodies. It is extremely well illustrated, containing 91 full page wood cuts, produced by Hans Hewamaul but thought to be based on Bartisch’s own watercolours. The illustrations cover eye defects, surgical instruments and methods of curing diseases and injuries of the eye. They are very detailed and in several cases use an overlay technique which enables the reader to 'dissect' parts of the head or eye by lifting up successive flaps. The book was intended for the information of both laymen and surgeons and as Daniel M Albert has suggested, its very completeness documents George Bartisch’s right to be styled 'the founder of modern ophthalmology'. - College of Optometrists

Images from Ophthalmodouleia - 1583 by by German physician Georg Bartisch (1535–1607).

This Greek word means 'the service of the eyes', literally 'eye-service', although it can also be translated as 'when the eye is upon you', as in Ephesians 6:6 when it is usually read in the sense of 'under observation'.

Oφθαλμοδουλεια is an important work for several reasons. At a time when most scholarly works were still written in Latin, and the lingua franca of scholars all over Europe, rather than the vernacular, it was written and published in the author’s native German. The work was printed in 1583 by Matthes Stockel of Dresden at Bartisch’s own expense. It was the first systematic work in ocular disease being logically arranged, beginning with the anatomy of the head and eye and progressing to more specific treatments for strabismus, cataracts (distinguishing between the six different types), trachoma, external growths on the lids, injuries and foreign bodies. It is extremely well illustrated, containing 91 full page wood cuts, produced by Hans Hewamaul but thought to be based on Bartisch’s own watercolours. The illustrations cover eye defects, surgical instruments and methods of curing diseases and injuries of the eye. They are very detailed and in several cases use an overlay technique which enables the reader to 'dissect' parts of the head or eye by lifting up successive flaps. The book was intended for the information of both laymen and surgeons and as Daniel M Albert has suggested, its very completeness documents George Bartisch’s right to be styled 'the founder of modern ophthalmology'. - College of Optometrists

A woman representing syphilis; advertising Dr Abreu's sanatorium for syphilitics in Barcelona. Colour lithograph by R. Casas, ca. 1900

Ad for the Sanax Vibrator - c. 1909. Via Wellcome.

One of a series of at least 18 gummed paper stickers (poster stamps) advertising Sanax hand-held electric vibrators showing them being used by men and women on arms, legs, chest, chin etc. 

Ad for the Sanax Vibrator - c. 1909. Via Wellcome.

One of a series of at least 18 gummed paper stickers (poster stamps) advertising Sanax hand-held electric vibrators showing them being used by men and women on arms, legs, chest, chin etc. 

Baldwin's Kidney & Gravel Pills - cures kidney & bladder troubles - c.1900 

The Head Ache by George Cruikshank - February 12, 1819

David Loggan  (1634–1692) - Anatomy of the Brain - The remaining medical works of that famous and renowned physician Dr Thomas Willis.