Walking Through History: A Tour of Medical Marylebone

Since the 1800s, Marylebone has been London’s medical mecca. Around 2,000 medical professionals work near its main artery, Harley Street.

April 5th marks the 190th anniversary of the birth of Sir Joseph Lister, a surgical pioneer who lived at 12 Park Crescent. Begin our tour here. Down Portland Place you’ll find Lister’s statue, commemorating his infection-preventing antiseptic techniques.

From Park Crescent turn left into Harley Street. Francis Dudley Hart founded Britain’s first rheumatology clinic, and practiced at the corner building from 1940.

Red-door 111 is where Eleanor Mears, female equality campaigner and oral contraception pioneer, worked in the 1950s.

At 82 worked homeopath Edward Bach in the roaring twenties, now recognised for his “flower remedies”.

Number 41 is where John St Long John, nicknamed “The King of Quacks”, began practicing in 1827. His “miracle cure” for tuberculosis combined turpentine, acetic acid and egg yolk. Unsurprisingly his patients died and he was convicted of manslaughter at the Old Bailey.

Interested in 1900s fertility treatment? Door 17 is where gynaecologist Dr. Solomon Jervois Aarons performed artificial insemination, providing numerous “heirs for titled people”.

Next, take the second right onto Wimpole Street. Walk past Door 6’s blue plaque honouring surgeon Sir Frederick Treves, the Elephant Man’s doctor.

Our tour ends at Number 16, which is where the “Ripperologist”, Dr. Thomas Horrocks, received a note and piece of innards in the 1880s. The famous “Jack” claimed it was a souvenir from a victim.

#Rosanna #Short