A Medical Humanities Moment: A Quick Look at the Myths, Legends and Symbols of Modern Medicine.

Even if you’ve never had a shave and a haircut at a grooming salon for men - in other words, a barber shop - you’ve certainly seen the commonplace symbol that appears outside many of these establishments: the barber’s pole. Typically around half a meter, or a foot and a half in length, these cylindrical signs feature a helix of red, white and sometimes blue bands that twist up the column, and in some case, actually rotate. There’s usually a round globe or light at the top, and sometimes a thick base at the bottom. It’s the universal barbershop symbol, telling passersby at a glance that this is the place for gents to get that new hairdo.

So what does it have to do with medicine? Turns out, much more than you might think.

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In the summer of 1890, Vincent Van Gogh committed suicide by shooting himself in the abdomen.

Or did he?

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Elizabeth Tudor, Queen Elizabeth I of England, is perhaps one of the most famous monarchs in all of history. She reigned for forty-five years during a time of tumultuous religious and political upheaval, survived several assassination attempts, and famously addressed her army with the proclamation that she had the ‘heart and stomach of a king’.

But in spite of her many accomplishments, even in spite of famously — or infamously — ordering the death of her cousin Mary, Queen of Scots, Elizabeth I is primarily known for one particular thing: her virginity.

Please note - this episode features mild references to sexuality.

Error - I misspoke in this recording and referred to Lettice Knollys' husband as Robert Devereaux, when it should have been Robert Dudley.

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