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The past and future of the Chelsea Physic Garden
The past and future of the Chelsea Physic Garden The apothecaries’ garden: a new history of the Chelsea Physic Garden Sue Minter. Thrupp, Stroud: Sutton Publishing Limited, 2000. Pp 210. £25·00. ISBN 0750924497. Timely cures An exhibition at the Chelsea Physic Garden, London, UK, showing until Sept 3, 2000, to mark the opening of a permanent pharmaceutical garden.
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THE LANCET • Vol 356 • August 19, 2000
there were many) Sloane, by then owner of the Manor of Chelsea, made a Deed of Covenant to the Society of the Apothecaries. For the payment of £5 per annum the Society gained control of the Garden in perpetuity for use as a Physic Garden, and its role was confirmed as a teaching establishment to enable apprentices to “distinguish good and usefull plants from those that bear resemblance to them and yet are hurtfull”. In addition, the Society was obliged to present 50 dried specimens of plants each year to the Royal Society, until 2000 plants had been delivered, thus ensuring that new plants continued to be cultivated. Sloane’s other legacy was the appointment of Philip Miller, who was the curator from 1722 to 1770. Through his publications and correspondence this great plantsman and horticulturalist developed an international reputation. He introduced plants to the Chelsea Physic Garden from the East Indies, the Cape, and the British colonies in America, and much of this material is represented in Miller’s herbarium collections, which are now housed at the Natural History Museum. One of the plants Miller described was the Madagascar periwinkle, from which modern drugs for the treatment of leukaemia are derived. With long sea journeys and great changes in climate, the early introduction of plants from abroad was a hazardous business. Only seeds or dormant storage organs could be expected to Chelsea Physic Garden
he mention of plants and mediApothecaries in 1673 to provide a site cine for many people for the cultivation of plants. It was also a conjures up an image of herbal place where apprentices could receive remedies. Yet half of the current top a sound botanical training. Very early 25 drugs have their origin in plants. in its history the curator, John Watts, In Timely cures, an exhibition at the proposed the introduction of foreign as Chelsea Physic Garden, stunning phowell as native plants. This lead to the tographs by Sue Snell, Photographer development of the first greenhouses in Residence, are used to illustrate a in the country and, at the same time, wide range of the plants that contribute international links were established and to pharmaceutical medicines. Some of a seed exchange initiated that continues these plants are well known—the to this day. foxglove, which contains cardiac glycosides, and the yew, which is used in the treatment of breast cancer. But how many people are aware that the daffodil contributes to a new treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, or the broad bean is used for Parkinson’s disease? The power of the exhibition comes from the juxtaposition of accompanying images of individual patients who have used these medicines. This series of sensitive portraits celebrates the strength The pharmaceutical garden at the Chelsea Physic Garden and courage of these The hero of the book is the celebrated patients, and reveals their remarkable scientist, physician, and virtuoso colleccommitment to this project. tor, Sir Hans Sloane who, in his youth, The evolution of medical training had been training in botany by John and development of plant-based pharWatts. The survival of the Physic maceuticals, which Sue Snell’s exhibiGarden in Chelsea results largely from tion celebrates, are intimately entwined his foresight. Sloane’s fortunes develwith the history of the Apothecaries’ oped through his knowledge of the medGarden. The apothecaries’ garden: a new icinal uses of plants—indeed, he history of Chelsea Physic Garden written popularised the use of quinine as a treatby its present curator, Sue Minter, ment for “agues” and mixed chocolate explores the history of the use of plants with milk as a beneficial food for conin medicine and the training of medical sumptives. Following one of the periods students. The Chelsea Physic Garden of financial difficulty at the Garden (and was founded by the Society of the
687
For personal use only. Not to be reproduced without permission of The Lancet.
DISSECTING ROOM
survive. This changed with the invention by Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward of a glazed plant case, originally designed to protect plants from the pollution of London. Ward was an examiner of the student apothecaries and Master of the Committee of the Garden. Robert Fortune, curator from 1846 to 1848, used Ward’s invention commercially in the successful transportation of tea seedlings from China to India in the 1850s when he was employed by the East India Company. Wardian cases continued in use for over a century. The Apothecaries Act of 1815 enabled the Society to become an examining body for medical students and so helped to ensure the continued active use of the Chelsea Physic Garden. Knowledge of materia medica formed an essential part of the course, but in 1895 it was dropped from the syllabus and the Garden’s role for the Apothecaries was lost. The Society of the Apothecaries eventually relinquished control in 1899 to the City Parochial Foundation. The educational function of the Garden was extended to provide facilities for technical and scientific education and research on plants
for London colleges and polytechnics. The diverse range of research and teaching activities that continued in the 20th century, alongside the horticultural development of the Garden are recorded in this book for the first time. Many other institutions have also been involved. Scientists from Imperial College developed a vigorous programme of research in plant physiology and pathology in the new laboratory, including work on the vernalisation of winter cereals. Research on plants for pharmaceutical use was developed by pharmacognocists from Chelsea College and more recently the Garden has become involved in pharmaceutical bioprospecting through Glaxo Wellcome. The Garden now flourishes as a private charity, the Chelsea Physic Garden Trust. Having opened its doors to the public in 1983, it continues to provide education to schools, specialist groups, and through its living plant collections to the visitors. Mary Gibby Director of Science, Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh EH3 5LR, UK [email protected]
Making a difference Textbook of contrast media Peter Dawson, David O Cosgrove, Ronald G Grainger, eds. Oxford: Isis Medical Media, 1999. Pp 590. £120·00. ISBN 1899066314. his text is the most complete recent work to deal with contrast media and their properties. Textbook of contrast media is illustrated with both black-andwhite and colour figures, the latter are shown to depict the use of contrast media in ultrasonography. The material is up to date and well edited, and the references reasonably current. The largest section is that on x-ray contrast agents, the next largest on contrast agents for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, and the smallest on those used in ultrasonography. This division is commensurate with the relative importance of the three areas and the research that has occurred in each. The clinical uses of contrast media are only briefly mentioned. I found the section on x-ray contrast agents very interesting and informative. All areas are well covered, including history, chemistry, synthesis, safety, and adverse reactions. Two of the last chapters in this section—one devoted to contrast agents in interventional radiology and the other to their
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688
use in computed tomography—cover important aspects unique to specific applications. The list of authors of chapters in the MR section reads like a Who’s Who in MR contrast media. The chemist responsible for development of gadolinium DTPA (the first MR agent to be clinically approved) is author of the chapter dealing with the physicochemical properties of the gadolinium chelates. The radiologist with probably the largest experience in oversight of clinical trials authors the chapter on adverse reactions. The diverse field of MR imaging, with agents of many different types, is well covered. The section on ultrasound is written almost entirely by one of the three editors. This leads to excellent coverage and integration of the various topics within this area. I found this section to be exceptionally well-illustrated by the use of both diagrams and clinical-case material. These additions help substantially in understanding what can be at times a difficult and complex area. The authors, well-respected in the
Passages, an exhibition at New York’s Brooklyn Museum of Art, displays the photographs of Carol Beckwith and Angela Fisher who have spent 30 years travelling together in Africa. Their images capture customs, rites of passage, and aspects of ceremonial life. Shown above is Adioukrou Queen Mother, Ivory Coast.
area of contrast media, have put together a detailed and well-organised text. As a diagnostic radiologist, I was disappointed by the low number, and in some instances poor reproduction, of clinical films depicting the use of contrast media. The chapter on carbon dioxide as a contrast agent, although excellent, is placed within the MR section, where it has no application. However, these are minor shortcomings and should not deter anyone from buying the book. It is a dangerous thing to review the work of colleagues and friends. I admire their dedication and thoroughness, which is well reflected in the text. Textbook of contrast media should be a required addition to the medical libraries of all research and teaching institutions. The text is most valuable for researchers in the area, and as a reference source for diagnostic radiologists and other clinicians. Due to the experience of the editors and authors, this text will be the standard reference for research in contrast media for several years to come. Val M Runge University of Kentucky, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Lexington, KY 40536, USA [email protected]
THE LANCET • Vol 356 • August 19, 2000
For personal use only. Not to be reproduced without permission of The Lancet.
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THE LANCET • Vol 356 • August 19, 2000
there were many) Sloane, by then owner of the Manor of Chelsea, made a Deed of Covenant to the Society of the Apothecaries. For the payment of £5 per annum the Society gained control of the Garden in perpetuity for use as a Physic Garden, and its role was confirmed as a teaching establishment to enable apprentices to “distinguish good and usefull plants from those that bear resemblance to them and yet are hurtfull”. In addition, the Society was obliged to present 50 dried specimens of plants each year to the Royal Society, until 2000 plants had been delivered, thus ensuring that new plants continued to be cultivated. Sloane’s other legacy was the appointment of Philip Miller, who was the curator from 1722 to 1770. Through his publications and correspondence this great plantsman and horticulturalist developed an international reputation. He introduced plants to the Chelsea Physic Garden from the East Indies, the Cape, and the British colonies in America, and much of this material is represented in Miller’s herbarium collections, which are now housed at the Natural History Museum. One of the plants Miller described was the Madagascar periwinkle, from which modern drugs for the treatment of leukaemia are derived. With long sea journeys and great changes in climate, the early introduction of plants from abroad was a hazardous business. Only seeds or dormant storage organs could be expected to Chelsea Physic Garden
he mention of plants and mediApothecaries in 1673 to provide a site cine for many people for the cultivation of plants. It was also a conjures up an image of herbal place where apprentices could receive remedies. Yet half of the current top a sound botanical training. Very early 25 drugs have their origin in plants. in its history the curator, John Watts, In Timely cures, an exhibition at the proposed the introduction of foreign as Chelsea Physic Garden, stunning phowell as native plants. This lead to the tographs by Sue Snell, Photographer development of the first greenhouses in Residence, are used to illustrate a in the country and, at the same time, wide range of the plants that contribute international links were established and to pharmaceutical medicines. Some of a seed exchange initiated that continues these plants are well known—the to this day. foxglove, which contains cardiac glycosides, and the yew, which is used in the treatment of breast cancer. But how many people are aware that the daffodil contributes to a new treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, or the broad bean is used for Parkinson’s disease? The power of the exhibition comes from the juxtaposition of accompanying images of individual patients who have used these medicines. This series of sensitive portraits celebrates the strength The pharmaceutical garden at the Chelsea Physic Garden and courage of these The hero of the book is the celebrated patients, and reveals their remarkable scientist, physician, and virtuoso colleccommitment to this project. tor, Sir Hans Sloane who, in his youth, The evolution of medical training had been training in botany by John and development of plant-based pharWatts. The survival of the Physic maceuticals, which Sue Snell’s exhibiGarden in Chelsea results largely from tion celebrates, are intimately entwined his foresight. Sloane’s fortunes develwith the history of the Apothecaries’ oped through his knowledge of the medGarden. The apothecaries’ garden: a new icinal uses of plants—indeed, he history of Chelsea Physic Garden written popularised the use of quinine as a treatby its present curator, Sue Minter, ment for “agues” and mixed chocolate explores the history of the use of plants with milk as a beneficial food for conin medicine and the training of medical sumptives. Following one of the periods students. The Chelsea Physic Garden of financial difficulty at the Garden (and was founded by the Society of the
687
For personal use only. Not to be reproduced without permission of The Lancet.
DISSECTING ROOM
survive. This changed with the invention by Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward of a glazed plant case, originally designed to protect plants from the pollution of London. Ward was an examiner of the student apothecaries and Master of the Committee of the Garden. Robert Fortune, curator from 1846 to 1848, used Ward’s invention commercially in the successful transportation of tea seedlings from China to India in the 1850s when he was employed by the East India Company. Wardian cases continued in use for over a century. The Apothecaries Act of 1815 enabled the Society to become an examining body for medical students and so helped to ensure the continued active use of the Chelsea Physic Garden. Knowledge of materia medica formed an essential part of the course, but in 1895 it was dropped from the syllabus and the Garden’s role for the Apothecaries was lost. The Society of the Apothecaries eventually relinquished control in 1899 to the City Parochial Foundation. The educational function of the Garden was extended to provide facilities for technical and scientific education and research on plants
for London colleges and polytechnics. The diverse range of research and teaching activities that continued in the 20th century, alongside the horticultural development of the Garden are recorded in this book for the first time. Many other institutions have also been involved. Scientists from Imperial College developed a vigorous programme of research in plant physiology and pathology in the new laboratory, including work on the vernalisation of winter cereals. Research on plants for pharmaceutical use was developed by pharmacognocists from Chelsea College and more recently the Garden has become involved in pharmaceutical bioprospecting through Glaxo Wellcome. The Garden now flourishes as a private charity, the Chelsea Physic Garden Trust. Having opened its doors to the public in 1983, it continues to provide education to schools, specialist groups, and through its living plant collections to the visitors. Mary Gibby Director of Science, Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh EH3 5LR, UK [email protected]
Making a difference Textbook of contrast media Peter Dawson, David O Cosgrove, Ronald G Grainger, eds. Oxford: Isis Medical Media, 1999. Pp 590. £120·00. ISBN 1899066314. his text is the most complete recent work to deal with contrast media and their properties. Textbook of contrast media is illustrated with both black-andwhite and colour figures, the latter are shown to depict the use of contrast media in ultrasonography. The material is up to date and well edited, and the references reasonably current. The largest section is that on x-ray contrast agents, the next largest on contrast agents for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, and the smallest on those used in ultrasonography. This division is commensurate with the relative importance of the three areas and the research that has occurred in each. The clinical uses of contrast media are only briefly mentioned. I found the section on x-ray contrast agents very interesting and informative. All areas are well covered, including history, chemistry, synthesis, safety, and adverse reactions. Two of the last chapters in this section—one devoted to contrast agents in interventional radiology and the other to their
T
688
use in computed tomography—cover important aspects unique to specific applications. The list of authors of chapters in the MR section reads like a Who’s Who in MR contrast media. The chemist responsible for development of gadolinium DTPA (the first MR agent to be clinically approved) is author of the chapter dealing with the physicochemical properties of the gadolinium chelates. The radiologist with probably the largest experience in oversight of clinical trials authors the chapter on adverse reactions. The diverse field of MR imaging, with agents of many different types, is well covered. The section on ultrasound is written almost entirely by one of the three editors. This leads to excellent coverage and integration of the various topics within this area. I found this section to be exceptionally well-illustrated by the use of both diagrams and clinical-case material. These additions help substantially in understanding what can be at times a difficult and complex area. The authors, well-respected in the
Passages, an exhibition at New York’s Brooklyn Museum of Art, displays the photographs of Carol Beckwith and Angela Fisher who have spent 30 years travelling together in Africa. Their images capture customs, rites of passage, and aspects of ceremonial life. Shown above is Adioukrou Queen Mother, Ivory Coast.
area of contrast media, have put together a detailed and well-organised text. As a diagnostic radiologist, I was disappointed by the low number, and in some instances poor reproduction, of clinical films depicting the use of contrast media. The chapter on carbon dioxide as a contrast agent, although excellent, is placed within the MR section, where it has no application. However, these are minor shortcomings and should not deter anyone from buying the book. It is a dangerous thing to review the work of colleagues and friends. I admire their dedication and thoroughness, which is well reflected in the text. Textbook of contrast media should be a required addition to the medical libraries of all research and teaching institutions. The text is most valuable for researchers in the area, and as a reference source for diagnostic radiologists and other clinicians. Due to the experience of the editors and authors, this text will be the standard reference for research in contrast media for several years to come. Val M Runge University of Kentucky, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Lexington, KY 40536, USA [email protected]
THE LANCET • Vol 356 • August 19, 2000
For personal use only. Not to be reproduced without permission of The Lancet.