Medicine in the 19th Century

In this talk "Medicine in the 19th Century", some of the more perculiar aspects of 19th century medical practice will be explored in relation to Portumna Workhouse. These will include the persistent belief in the miasmatic explanation for the spread of disease and its effects on the well-being of workhouse inmates. The common practice of body snatching, the illegal removal of corpses from morgues or graves for medical research allegedly committed by Portumna's Medical Officer, Dr. Samuel Coates.