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RCP museum @rcpmuseum.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Visit the 'Patient voices' exhibition at the RCP Museum until 23 July 2027. Check out our website for opening details & exhibition themed events. Next Thurs 8 October you can join our Museum Late to explore after hours with free talks! history.rcp.ac.uk/exhibitions/... @rcphysicians.bsky.social

Exhibition graphic showing a black and white photo of a female patient sitting up and smiling in a hospital bed. The text reads:
Patient voices: power, truth, understanding
Exploring the lived experience of healthcare
14 September 2026 – 23 July 2027
Exhibition| Free entry

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RCP museum @rcpmuseum.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

😍Exhibition 'Patient voices' is open to visit! We celebrated with a private view featuring speeches from the patient advocacy group who helped develop the exhibition, senior curator Liz Douglas & musical performances of baroque pieces evoking the experience of a patient. 🎼 Photos Saul Perryman

Visitors on the gallery explore the exhibition

A violinist, harpist and narrator perform on a stage in the Dorchester Library.

A visitor listens to oral history interviews in the exhibition

Diary of Augusts d’Este the earliest documented account of multiple sclerosis in the exhibition.

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RCP museum @rcpmuseum.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

New performances of these pieces of music were performed, recorded and put on display for the 'Patient voices' exhibition which is now open to visit at the RCP Museum by Regent's Park history.rcp.ac.uk/exhibitions/... @rcphysicians.bsky.social #PatientVoices

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RCP museum @rcpmuseum.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Marin Marais was a virtuoso viola de gamba player & composer born in 1656. During his career he composed two pieces of music that evoke the feelings of being a patient. Visit recent blog by Harveian Librarian, Anita Simonds, to find out more 👉 history.rcp.ac.uk/blog/marin-m...

A violinist, a harpist and a narrator performing in the wood-lined censors room of the RCP.

Painting of Marin Marais, from the Workshop of André Bouys. A man in 17th century dress and wig holding a lute with pages of music on a table and floor nearby. CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

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RCP museum @rcpmuseum.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Latest exhibition at the Royal College of Nursing open to visit just down the road form the RCP at RCN HQ 👇 www.rcn.org.uk/library-exhi...

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RCP museum @rcpmuseum.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

3. 'For Ye Biting of a mad dog'. This recipe from Dr Richardson, via Madan Pym from Curry Malet in Somerset, uses herbs and plants gathered in the summer such as garlic, primrose and vervain. It also uses the claw of a male crab, ground up. In winter, beer is added.

Handwritten recipe including For Ye Biting of a mad dog.

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RCP museum @rcpmuseum.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Ale mixed with sage, garlic and treacle to create a ‘water’ drunk for 3 days post-bite and again for 3 days after the next full moon. Perhaps a remedy against the person becoming ‘mad’ also, as the full moon was considered to have an adverse impact on people with mental health issues.

Handwritten recipe: Against biting of a mad dog.

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RCP museum @rcpmuseum.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

This recipe book compiled 1644-1691 includes 3 cures 'Against Biting of a Mad dog'. Could this be rabies in the archive? #worldrabiesday 🧵 1. 'A poultice for ye biting of a mad dog' made with the bitten person's urine, boiled bread, turpentine and rose or chamomile oil applied to the bite.

Handwritten recipe: A poultice for ye biting of a mad dog.

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RCP museum @rcpmuseum.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

1724-1858: the RCP appointed itself inspector of apothecaries. The registers give a curt verdict on each shop ranging from ‘good’ to ‘tolerable’ or even ‘execrable’. Mr Horne stood up to the physicians to ‘question and resist their authority’ – an early advocate for #EmpoweringPharmacists #WPD2026

Inspection report for Horne's chemist shop on Southampton Row. "This man was very much disposed to question & resist the authority of the College & he is particularly recommended to future Censors to revisit, examine, & [illegible]"

List of medicines, most rated good or very good, but cinnamon rated "good for nothing".

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RCP museum @rcpmuseum.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

We loved welcoming a huge range of people to our Grade I listed building for London Open House on Saturday. A record-breaking 545 visitors joined us for architecture, history and crafts. Don't worry if you missed it! There are lots of other opportunities to visit: history.rcp.ac.uk/visit-us

A main leans down over a museum display case so his chin is touching the glass. He's in a clean-lined modernist space, with massive windows behind him.

Two women look an an old book resting on foam supports in a historic library.

A child sits at a table covered in colouring pens and pencils, concentrating hard on some colouring in. A man sits next to her, smiling fondly.

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RCP museum @rcpmuseum.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

📣New blog 📣 ‘The Gàidhealtachd in the World of British Medicine’. PhD researcher Euan Bowman on placement at the RCP kept an eye out for wee slices of his Scottish home in our collections. His blog shares his insights into Gaels & the British medical establishment history.rcp.ac.uk/blog/gaidhea...

A small Scottish croft is just visible on a otherwise empty coastal heath by the sea in Kilmaluag, Skye.

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RCP museum @rcpmuseum.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

We have also begun installing new exhibition ‘Patient voices: power, truth, understanding’ which will be opening on 14 September! 😍 Explore the lived experience of healthcare 👉 history.rcp.ac.uk/exhibitions/... #PatientVoices #histmed @rcphysicians.bsky.social

A view of the exhibition gallery while workmen install the exhibition panels.

The curator and exhibitions officer position glass shelves inside a display case.

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RCP museum @rcpmuseum.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

We are reopening to visits tomorrow 2 September! Pop by for a drop-in visit, or why not book free to join our taster tour at 1.30pm tomorrow. history.rcp.ac.uk/event/rcp-mu...

A group of visitors on a guided tour standing in front of a large painting at the RCP.

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RCP museum @rcpmuseum.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Thanks for checking, to clarify this is a rare surviving example of ‘natal astrology’ from the 16th century.

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RCP museum @rcpmuseum.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Unfortunately for the incurably curious, we know neither the identity of the astrologer nor the subject. So there is no way of knowing how accurate the ‘Horoscope of Johannes’ analysis & prediction were! Find out more history.rcp.ac.uk/blog/written...

history.rcp.ac.uk

Written in the stars: a horoscope in the RCP archives | RCP Museum

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RCP museum @rcpmuseum.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

During the medieval period astrologers were respected scholars & most people believed that the world around them including a person's health could be predicted & influenced using astrology. This 'zodiac man' explained how the astrological formations (star signs) ruled each part of the body. 2/3

Illustration of the ‘zodiac man’ in Fasciculus medicinae, Johannes de Ketham, published Venice, 1500. It explained how the astrological formations (star signs) ruled each part of the body.

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RCP museum @rcpmuseum.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

This is the ‘Horoscope of Johannes’, born on 12 April 1538 - it's an extremely rare surviving example of ‘natal astrology’. It uses the date, time & location of a person’s birth to study the movements of the stars & planets at the time & predict their future course in life. #EYAsurprise 1/3

A fold out circular chart written inn Latin that forms part of the 'Horoscope of Johannes'.

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RCP museum @rcpmuseum.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Funding to conserve this remarkable book was possible with support from Dr Diana Walford through the @rcphysicians.bsky.social Adopt a Treasure scheme. Find out more & how you could contribute 👉 www.rcp.ac.uk/support-us/p...

history.rcp.ac.uk

Preserving Valverde: the conservation of a Renaissance anatomy book | RCP Museum

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RCP museum @rcpmuseum.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

🫀 Discover Juan Valverde’s beautifully illustrated Anatomia, published in the 16th century. After 400+ years of use, its damaged binding needed specialist conservation. Find out how this remarkable anatomical book was repaired & preserved: history.rcp.ac.uk/blog/preserv...

The spine of the book before conservation showing damage including sections that have completely fallen off.

The open pages of the book showing anatomical illustrations of the human body.

The conserved book showing its repaired spine.

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RCP museum @rcpmuseum.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

This rare early photo, taken sometime before 1883, shows the anatomy theatre at the RCPs Warwick Lane HQ built in the 1670s. 👉 history.rcp.ac.uk/about/archit... It was collected by Dr Farre, a 19th C RCP member who compiled a scrapbook of items illustrating key RCP events. #EYAsurprise

Black and white photo showing a hexagonal structure with a domed roof sitting among the rooftops and chimneys of a building.

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RCP museum @rcpmuseum.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

'Patient voices: power, truth, understanding' exploring the lived experience of healthcare, will open on 14 September 2026! history.rcp.ac.uk/exhibitions/...

A exhibition graphic showing a black and white photo of a patient in bed with writing giving the exhibition title and dates:
Patient voices: power, truth, understanding
Exploring the lived experience of healthcare
14 September 2026 – 23 July 2027

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RCP museum @rcpmuseum.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

What we are getting up to behind the scenes at this summer . . . ⭐ dusting with brushes & conservation vacuum 🧹 😍 creating bespoke cushions for our buttons 👀& getting objects mounted ready for the next exhibition! #MuseumLife #histmed

Our collections officer wearing headtorch and carefully dusting a piece of gold braid wit ha brush into the mouth of a conservation vacuum.

A volunteer dusts a silver basket with a soft brush.

A donut shaped piece of black foam affixed to the back of a brass button.

A document sitting in a v-shaped stand with little silver magnets holding it to a backing board.

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RCP museum @rcpmuseum.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

The entire collection of recipe books from the RCP archive has been digitised with the help of a great team of volunteers and shared on the @archive.org. Explore them all 👉 archive.org/details/rcpl... 3/3

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RCP museum @rcpmuseum.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Then in Mistress Honore Henslow’s 1601 book of ‘surgerie and physic’ we find honey as part of a soothing remedy for the ‘heddache’. Rather than one to consume this is how to make a remedy to put in a linen bag and lay on your ‘pate’ [head] featuring garlic, pepper and the all important honey. 2/3

A page form a recipe book with the hand-written text reading:

'For the Heddache
Take five or sixe cloves of garlicke, and pound them smalle
then take seaven or eighte graines of pepper and beate them verie
grosse, then take halfe a spoonefull of hoonnye and mingell them
all togeather and putt the same into a littell linnen bagge and
laye the same in the pitte in your pate, and binde all faste
and ifthe same chaunce bee drye before youre paine bee gonne then moyste the same withe a littell honnye, and laye itt
to agayne'

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RCP museum @rcpmuseum.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

To celebrate #WorldHoneyBeeDay we thought we’d share a couple medicinal recipes featuring honey in the recipe books of the RCP archive. Kicking off with a classic from Lady Sedley’s 1686 book – ‘To make hayre grow’. . . with helpful accompanying illustration of expected growth 😆. #histmed 1/3

Page from a recipe book with recipe reading:

To make Hayre grow

Take an Egg rost it the embers till it be hard
then take the yolk, and halfe so much fresh butter,
and as much Pepper as will lye on a kniwfes point, add
as much hony as will make it into an ointment
and soo anonyt the head with it -

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RCP museum @rcpmuseum.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Happy #InternationalWolfDay! Celebrating the importance of Canis lupus. The naturalist’s library (1839) in our Heritage Library illustrates not one, but five different varieties – common, black, dusky, Mexican and North American prairie – most of which look remarkably docile. #histmed

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RCP museum @rcpmuseum.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Our version is a Persian translation produced in India in the 18th C of the original Sanskrit, & includes many beautiful illustrations. It belonged to Roy Dobbin FRCP (1873–1939), who collected Islamic medical manuscripts & donated them to the RCP. Read more 👉 history.rcp.ac.uk/blog/merchan... 2/2

history.rcp.ac.uk

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RCP museum @rcpmuseum.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

The Seventy Tales of the Parrot is one of our few non-medical manuscripts. The story tells of a merchant who leaves an enchanted parrot with his wife to tell her stories ending in cliffhangers every night to prevent her being unfaithful. #EYAsurprise @exploreyourarchive.bsky.social 1/2

Pages from the manuscript showing Persian script and illustrations of a woman and parrot

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RCP museum @rcpmuseum.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Back to 2026 & the team here have had a go a taking our own images of a #solareclipse using pinhole cameras, a binocular & screen set up, & even the local shrubbery! How did everyone else's evening go? #eclipse2026 @rcphysicians.bsky.social

A carboard pinhole camera showing the mini version of the solar eclipse inside.

An image of the solar eclipse showing on a little paper screen being focussed through binoculars on a tripod.

Multiple mini images of the eclipse being cast against a door through shrubbery.

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RCP museum @rcpmuseum.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

We hope many of you are getting to enjoy this evening’s #solareclipse from your part of the world 😎. We found these two images of past eclipses in our collections - a print of the 1905 eclipse & an illustration of the eclipse way back in 1556! @rcphysicians.bsky.social #histmed

Print of a watercolour drawing by Dawtry Drewitt made off the East Coast of Spain during the total eclipse Aug 30 1905.

Illustration of the solar eclipse in 1556 showing the positions of the moon as it passes between the earth and the sun.

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Katie Birkwood @girlinthe.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

'Elephant' is also a size descriptor used for large books. The Absolute Units of the library world, if you will. Here's the heaviest at @rcpmuseum.bsky.social, weighing in at 15.6 kg. #RareBooks #GLAMS #WorldElephantDay 📚

A person standing between library stacks holding a large and heavy book up so as to cover their face. The book is the 1906 facsimile of the Codex Aniciae Julianae Dioscorides.

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Reposted by RCP museum

Katie Birkwood @girlinthe.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Double elephant 🐘🐘 = not actually quite the size of two elephants, alas (who has the wall space for that?), but rather 678 × 1016 mm (or 26.69 × 40 inches in old money). #RareBooks #GLAMS #WorldElephantDay 📚

Illustration of the relative sizes of double elephant and A4 paper. Double elephant is roughly three times as wide and tall.

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Katie Birkwood @girlinthe.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

I know we're all agog for the eclipse, but today's also #WorldElephantDay, and I've just happened across this advertisement for a pair of wall charts of a steam engine printed 'full sheet DOUBLE ELEPHANT drawing paper'. #RareBooks #GLAMS 📚

Just published on full sheet double Elephant Drawin Paper, splendidly coloured, mounted on Cloth with Brass Rollers, and varnished, price £1 10s the pair, with a Pamphlet of Descriptions, STEAM ENGINE ... from drawings by John Milne.

Advert at the end f @rcpmuseum.bsky.social copy of The Naturalist's Library, Mammalia, vol 9, 1839.

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RCP museum @rcpmuseum.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Interested in art, medicine & how the human form has been represented? Join a virtual talk on 25 Aug at 12pm to travel through 500 years of anatomical illustration (1500–1900) featuring astounding anatomical art from the RCP’s collections. Book: history.rcp.ac.uk/event/virtua... #artandmedicine

An illustration of a titled back human head and torso dissected to show the internal organs, vessels and structures of the neck and chest.

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RCP museum @rcpmuseum.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

How did surgeons learn before videos & 3D models? In 1724, Lorenz Heister’s book Chirurgie used clear explanations & beautiful copperplate engravings to teach anatomy, instruments & operating methods. Discover its story & how you can support its conservation: history.rcp.ac.uk/blog/chirurg...

The cream coloured spine of a book. The title 'Heister's Chirurgie' is at the top. There is clear damage to the spine with pieces missing.

A pull-out paper diagram showing surgical tools. The paper has damaged edges and is misfolded.

The bottom of an open book showing pieces of crinkled damaged pages sticking out.

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RCP museum @rcpmuseum.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Galleries are looking a bit ghostly & empty round here! 👻🫣 Exhibition 'A body of knowledge' is coming down & art is getting covered as we get ready for the carpet to be replaced. You can still explore our beautiful books from the exhibition at history.rcp.ac.uk/exhibitions/... #BodyOfKnowlege

A view showing two galleries in the centre of the RCP building empty of exhibition cases. Some of the paintings on the wall have been covered with white material.

The exhibition gallery empty of display cases but still showing graphics on the walls. Some of the paintings on the wall have been covered with white material.

A close up of a large painting covered in white material taped to the wall.

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RCP museum @rcpmuseum.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

This Wednesday there is a great opportunity for those who cannot visit us in person to hop on a virtual tour of our beautiful building and explore 500years of history. Its starts at 1.30pm. Book free now 👉 history.rcp.ac.uk/event/virtua...

Central staircase of the RCP in the centre of a white marble floored hall.

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RCP museum @rcpmuseum.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

📣New exhibition alert!! 👀 We are excited to announce new exhibition 'Patient voices: power, truth, understanding' will be opening on 14 September 2026 at the RCP - exploring the lived experience of healthcare. 👉 history.rcp.ac.uk/exhibitions/... @rcphysicians.bsky.social #PatientVoices

A exhibition graphic with the title and dates of exhibition. Included is a black and white photo of a smiling woman sitting in a hospital bed.

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RCP museum @rcpmuseum.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined historian & artist Theeba Krishnamoorthy @rcphysicians.bsky.social Museum for last night’s delightful creative textile workshop celebrating South Asian women doctors & healing herbs 😍. #SAHM2026 #SouthAsianHeritageMonth

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RCP museum @rcpmuseum.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

We continue to seek objects, documents and publications that reflect the experiences of physicians delivering HIV/AIDS care and people living with HIV/AIDS to add to the RCP collections. Find out how you can donate 👇 history.rcp.ac.uk/collections/...

A collection of leaflets and flyers about HIV/AIDS with a text overlaid saying 'Help preserve the history of HIV/AIDS care'

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RCP museum @rcpmuseum.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

As part of our collecting campaign for materials relating to HIV/AIDS, in 2025 we interviewed Dame Anne Johnson and Lord Norman Fowler about their time working in healthcare during the early days of HIV and AIDS care. 👉 history.rcp.ac.uk/blog/dealing... #histmed #ZeroHIVStigmaDay

A collection of leaflets and flyers about HIV/AIDS

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RCP museum @rcpmuseum.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

📣We will be closed to drop-in visits Mon 3 Aug-Wed 2 Sept while we undertake conservation & maintenance work.📣 You can still: ⭐go on a guided taster tour in person, Wed 5 Aug @1.30pm ⭐join a virtual tour, Wed 5 Aug @1.30pm ⭐join a virtual lunchtime talk, Tues 25 Aug @12pm 👉 history.rcp.ac.uk/events

An image of a white building with 3 floors, the top floor is lined with slit windows and a white box shaped room jutting out of the side over the green garden. Overlaid are the words:
Summer works -
We will be CLOSED to drop in
visits from Monday 3 August
REOPENING
Wednesday 2 September

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RCP museum @rcpmuseum.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

We are delighted to offer a couple more tickets for our popular upcoming workshop 'South Asian women doctors and healing herbs' with historian & artist Theeba Krishnamoorthy 😍. Book now before they go! sahm_women_doctors_healing_herbs.eventbrite.co.uk @rcphysicians.bsky.social #SAHM2026

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RCP museum @rcpmuseum.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

An image of a collection of flyers and leaflets relating to HIV and AIDS with text over the top saying 'Help preserve the history of HIV/AIDS care'.

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RCP museum @rcpmuseum.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

📣Last chance to buy 📣 We have a couple of tickets left for tomorrow night's Teas from the Garden workshop - a fabulous evening of tea tasting, blending & learning about herbs in our gorgeous garden 😍. Book now history.rcp.ac.uk/event/teas-g... @rcphysicians.bsky.social #garden #summerevent

history.rcp.ac.uk

Teas from the Garden: seasonal workshop | RCP Museum

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RCP museum @rcpmuseum.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Dr Rukhmabai Raut, became the second Indian woman to practice Western Medicine and a campaigner for women's rights. Discover her story with guest blogger Theeba Krishnamoorthy history.rcp.ac.uk/blog/dr-rukh... #SAHM2026 @rcphysicians.bsky.social

Sepia toned oval photograph portrait of a woman, looking slightly to the left. What is visible of her clothing appears to be a pale blouse under pleated fabric over her right shoulder.

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RCP museum @rcpmuseum.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

There are a few tickets left to our Teas from the Garden workshop next Wednesday 22 July with the wonderful @rcphysicians.bsky.social Garden team. Tasting herbal teas, mixing beautiful blends and an evening in a gorgeous garden - have you booked yet? 👉 history.rcp.ac.uk/event/teas-g...

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RCP museum @rcpmuseum.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Pride is for life, not just for June. We're delighted to see the progress on the @gladduk.bsky.social and @auntnellproduction.bsky.social project preserving the stories of LGBTQ+ doctors and dentists and the organisation that represents them. Read all about it here: gladd.co.uk/heritage-pro... 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🩺🦷

gladd.co.uk

GLADD

Find out about our Heritage Project

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RCP museum @rcpmuseum.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

As part of the recording of ‘A Most Magickal Encounter’, we were delighted to welcome Tim Dee & Charles Nicholl to peruse books owned & annotated by John Dee, which are now part of the @rcphysicians.bsky.social Heritage Library. Listen in at 7.15pm this Sunday: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m.... 📚🔮📻

Two pages of an early printed book with mathematical diagrams and diagrammatical annotations in the margin. Andreas Alexander, Mathemalogium (1504). Annotated by John Dee

Signature ‘Joannes Deeus 1551 Londini’ above title printed in blackletter type: Mathemalogium prime partis Andree Alexandre Ratisbonensis (1504).

Marginal annotation of three nested bearded faces, drawn in brown ink in an early printed book. Arnaldus de Villanova, Opera, 1527. Annotated by John Dee.

Two pages of an early printed book with decorated initials and lots of marginal annotations. Arnaldus de Villanova, Opera, 1527. Annotated by John Dee.

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