Medicine & Disease

Shell Shock: The Racket and the Fear

‘Shell shock’ is associated in particular with the First World War. Stuart M. Archer recounts the often brutal treatment meted out to sufferers of the condition and looks at how use of the term fell into disrepute. 

Gold, Fire and Gallows: Quarantine in History

As the Ebola outbreak in West Africa continues its dreadful march, Duncan McLean looks at the 600-year-old practice of isolating individuals and communities in order to bring an end to epidemics and assesses the effectiveness of such measures.

The Prospects of Life 1951-71

‘Man has made himself what he is today.’ Joe Rogaly writes how important biological changes have recently transformed his whole existence.