A History of Barts, Britain's Oldest Hospital
St Bartholomew’s is the oldest hospital in England still operating on its original site and will celebrate its 900th anniversary in 2023.
This lecture tells its history, from 1123 to today, via its people, buildings and the events that defined this iconic medical institution. Sir Thomas Lauder Brunton's work in vascular pharmacology, Sir James Paget's discovery of bone and breast disease, and Ethel Gordon Fenwick’s campaign for registered state nursing are all important elements of Barts’ history.
A lecture by Charles Knight OBE recorded on 4 May 2023 at Barnard's Inn Hall, London
The transcript and downloadable versions of the lecture are available from the Gresham College website:
www.gresham.ac.uk/watch-now/b...
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what a fascinating history. it may be the oldest business still in existence. i wonder if Paracelsus ever visited, that would be a great story. while i've heard of many bizzare cures in medicine, i do not ever recall a "puppy juice bath" -i'm guessing the "vitality" of the puppies was supposed to go into the water and be absorbed by the patient. i'm happy that today we realize just giving the patient a puppy is enough in itself! I live in the USA, and yes, every wing, specialty center, building, and program is named after a rich doner or institution. hospitals here are non-stop construction zones. they are constantly expanding every day. hospitals here (at least near me) are like small cities. -thank you all, and best wishes for another 900 years!
Terrific story especially for me as I was brought back from the dead and am so thankful to all the staff for their care, skill and compassion.
Divine
Well Done, St. Barts! Regards from Canada 🇨🇦
The history of hospitals are always immersed in some very interesting stories. I've had the pleasure of working at one (32yrs) with a shorter history but very similar issues with funding. I often think we need to be looking at hospitals in the long term. I've enjoyed the lecture.
this was very interesting and a very entertaining speaker
Agreed, he was excellent
Abernathy biscuits are the best biscuits I gave ever eaten, I am so glad to know their originator.
The slide at the end showing the main reason Barts appears in an Internet search is amusing enough, but it would be fascinating to see a talk focused on St. Barts being mentioned in fiction and what those references tells us about society's understanding of the place of medicine at that time & place.
I imagine Saint Bartholomew is the saint of tanners, but he really should also be the saint of realters.
they never used the nightingales outside of London and it cost an absolute fortune just to knock them down again
It's like putting on a fresh coat of paint...witheloquent and orderly social diskord...these days!