Image Gallery
De Mayerne was elected as a fellow of the College (a full voting member) in 1616. As physician to both the king and the queen, he was the most famous physician in England at the time. In 1618 he was appointed to write the dedication in the College’s first Pharmacopoeia.
De Mayerne was elected as a fellow of the College (a full voting member) in 1616. As physician to both the king and the queen, he was the most famous physician in England at the time. In 1618 he was appointed to write the dedication in the College’s first Pharmacopoeia.
De Mayerne's signature is written on a number of entries about cases and consultations. This page shows some of his recipes for royal patients.
De Mayerne's signature is written on a number of entries about cases and consultations. This page shows some of his recipes for royal patients.
This cup was made by Philipp Pepfenhauser in Germany. This item would have been used for formal dining and was donated to the College by George Berkeley (1865–1946).
This cup was made by Philipp Pepfenhauser in Germany. This item would have been used for formal dining and was donated to the College by George Berkeley (1865–1946).
William Harvey’s 1628 book on the motion of the heart (De motu cordis) described his groundbreaking discovery of how blood circulates around the human body, propelled by the pumping of the heart. This illustration shows how the motion of the blood can be demonstrated, using the blood vessels of the arm.
William Harvey’s 1628 book on the motion of the heart (De motu cordis) described his groundbreaking discovery of how blood circulates around the human body, propelled by the pumping of the heart. This illustration shows how the motion of the blood can be demonstrated, using the blood vessels of the arm.
Made in London, this silver table bell was given to the College by Baldwin Hamey (junior) (1600–1676). It was used to call Comitia meetings to order, which was one of the College’s many traditions.
Made in London, this silver table bell was given to the College by Baldwin Hamey (junior) (1600–1676). It was used to call Comitia meetings to order, which was one of the College’s many traditions.
This dried anatomical preparation of an adult human male nervous system is displayed on a tablet of pine wood. It was probably made at the University of Padua in Italy. It was one of a set of six anatomical tables that was bought by Sir John Finch (1626–1682), an English physician, collector and diplomat who studied at Padua. The tables were passed down through his family, the earls of Winchelsea, and kept at Burley-on-the Hill. The tables were presented to the College in 1823.
This dried anatomical preparation of an adult human male nervous system is displayed on a tablet of pine wood. It was probably made at the University of Padua in Italy. It was one of a set of six anatomical tables that was bought by Sir John Finch (1626–1682), an English physician, collector and diplomat who studied at Padua. The tables were passed down through his family, the earls of Winchelsea, and kept at Burley-on-the Hill. The tables were presented to the College in 1823.
The books in the Royal College of Physicians’ library reflect the wide-ranging interest of its members over 5 centuries. Large sets of atlases, including the multivolume works of Jan Jansson, were an essential part of a physician’s library in previous centuries. This map shows the possible layout of the ancient city of Babylon.
The books in the Royal College of Physicians’ library reflect the wide-ranging interest of its members over 5 centuries. Large sets of atlases, including the multivolume works of Jan Jansson, were an essential part of a physician’s library in previous centuries. This map shows the possible layout of the ancient city of Babylon.
In previous centuries, epidemic diseases such as the plague were thought to be caused by ‘miasma’ or bad air. The ‘beak’ or long nose of the mask would be filled with perfume, flowers and other sweet-smelling items, to protect the physician from catching the disease from their patients.
In previous centuries, epidemic diseases such as the plague were thought to be caused by ‘miasma’ or bad air. The ‘beak’ or long nose of the mask would be filled with perfume, flowers and other sweet-smelling items, to protect the physician from catching the disease from their patients.