Secret Remedies

The spirit of 19th century quackery wafts from the ghost-like images of old medicine bottles created by artist Michelle Charles. The “photograms” in this free exhibition, entitled Secret Remedies, have been created by placing the old bottles of “Lydia E Pinkham's medicine” between a light source and light sensitive paper. The resulting white on black silhouettes seem not unlike x ray images—suggesting the penetration of those medical myths that are embodied in the bottles of “quack” cure alls.

The exhibition, showing until 4th January 2002, is on at the Museum of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, in London. It was announced recently that the museum, established in 1842 as a teaching collection of drug specimens, will close next year. Don't bother going too far out of your way, but if you happen to be passing it might be worth dropping by for a last look at the museum that even Michelle Charles' Secret Remedies couldn't save.

Andrew Moscrop, final year medical student, University of Edinburgh and Clegg scholar, BMJ


studentBMJ 2001;09:443-486 December ISSN 0966-6494