Apothecary 2020

2020

APOTHECARY 

2020 

ALL CORRESPONDENCE SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO: 

The Editor 

Apothecary 

© The Worshipful Society of Apothecaries of London 

Black Friars Lane 

London 

EC4V 6EJ

Contents 

The Court and the Livery Committee 1 

Editorial 2 

From the Master 3 

Medical students step forward to the Covid-19 front line 5 

Clerk’s Report 7 

Sir Leonard John Chalstrey (1931-2020) 11 

Treasurer’s Report 12 

“They tell me that in Westminster there is never a physitian, 

and but one apothecary left, all being dead.” 

Samuel Pepys 1665 13 

The Ethics of Care Home Visiting in the COVID-19 Pandemic 18 

Registrar’s Report 20 

Faculty of the History and Philosophy of Medicine 21 

The Parlour Stained Glass Windows Project 24 

Livery Committee Chairman’s Report 2019-2020 28 

Curator’s Notes 34 

Faculty of Conflict and Catastrophe Medicine Report 35 

Faculty of Conflict and Catastrophe Medicine Student Essay Prize 2020 38 

The Master’s Fund 40 

Memories of Moscow - the Memoirs of a Medical Diplomat 41 

Friends of the Archives 42 

Society Contacts 44

Master: 

The Court 

2020 - 2021 

Prof M J G Farthing BSc MD FRCP 

Senior Warden: Prof J Anderson CBE PhD MB BS FRCP 

Junior Warden: Dr J J C Holliday MB BS DCH DObstRCOG 

MRCGP DFFP 

Immediate 

Past Master: 

Past Masters: 

Assistants: 

Prof M N Rossor MA MB BChir MD FRCP 

FMed Sci 

Mr N L Wood BPharm FRPharmS FIPharmM 

Dr R G H Bethel MA MB BChir MRCGP 

Dr P J H Tooley LLM MB BS MRCGP MFPM 

(Dis) DMJ DFFP 

Dr J C Moore-Gillon MA LLB MD FRCP 

Dr R N Palmer LLB MB BS FFFLM HonFRCPath 

Dr DW Adams BSc MA PhD FRPharmS 

Dr C G Mackworth-Young MA MD FRCP 

AVM A Mozumder MB BS MSc FRCGP 

DTM&H DAvMed DMCC C Dir 

Dr. PJT O’Mórdha MA MSc FRCP FRCGP 

MFMLM DPMSA 

Dr JE Neild MB BS FRCP FFFLM 

Dr FJ Wilcox MBBS DCH DObstrRCOG MRCGP 

FFLM Barrister 

Dr TD Baker MB BS MRCP FRCA 

Dr DB Jefferys BSc MD FRCP FFPM 

The Livery Committee 

2020 - 2021 

Chairman: 

Colonel Jane Carey-Harris 

TD VR DMS FRGS 

Honorary Secretary: Lieutenant Colonel Deborah 

Malins BPharm MRPharmS TD VR 

Honorary Treasurer: Dr Alan Collett 

MB BS LRCP MRCS Dobst RCOG 

Immediate Past Chairman: Dr Mike Spencer MA MEng 

Dr Elizabeth Bevan MB BS MRCGP 

(Cantab) MB BS MRCGP DRCOG DFFP 

Dr Emma Dalton MEng(Hons) Barrister MSc MB BS 

Professor Mark Fox BVetMed PhD DipEVPC FHEA FRCVS 

Dr John Harcup OBE OStJ MRCS LRCP DObst RCOG MRCGP 

Dr Susan Horsewood-Lee MB BS FRCGP 

Dr Vanessa Jenkins MB BS(Hons) MRCS LRCP DObst RCOG 

Mr Dilip Joshi BSc MBA DipM FFRPS FRPharmS 

Mr Omar Khan MB MS FRCS 

Mr Chris Khoo DL MA MB BChir (Cantab) FRCS (Eng) FRCS (Ed) ad hom 

Major Sean Kibbey Dip RG MCSP 

Dr Peter Mace MB ChB MRCP(UK) DipOccMed 

Dr Eithne MacMahon MD FRCPI FRCPath DCH 

Dr Joy Main MA MB BChir DObst RCOG FRCGP FHEA 

Dr Catherine Sarraf BSc PhD FRCPath 

Professor John Schofield MB BS FRCPath 

Dr Elizabeth Stearns FFFLM MB BS BDS Barrister 

1

Editorial 

2020 will go down in history as the year of Covid 19, 

when millions of people in the UK stayed in their 

homes to protect the NHS. Tens of thousands died 

(over a million worldwide) from a viral infection that 

emerged probably from Wuhan in China before 

sweeping the world and causing devastation to the 

global economy and communities. It was also the year 

when scientists in international research centres came 

up with novel vaccines which hopefully will allow life 

to get back to normal mid-2021. 

Here at the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries of 

London, we went virtual, embracing digital 

conferencing technology as face to face meetings were 

banned. Dinners, conferences, lectures and VIP visits 

were all cancelled or delayed. Yet many things did 

carry on, reflecting the flexibility and commitment of 

the Society, its officers and its members. The 

Apothecary journal now has its own editorial 

committee which should help to widen our reach and 

promote inclusivity across the Society. 

For this unique issue, we wanted to focus our 

attention on plagues and pestilence throughout the 

ages. I commend Briony Hudson’s feature on the Role 

of the Apothecaries during the Great Plague, written 

with the assistance of our past Dean, Aroop Mozumder. 

Andrew Papanikitas has looked into Ethics in the time 

of a Pandemic, which is as important now as it was 

when the Black Death wiped out approximately half of 

the population in Europe in the late Middle Ages. 

Chris Jenner, a GP, has brought us right up to date 

by revealing how he and a team of young medics kept 

services running through the first lockdown in the 

Elliot Hall Medical Centre, surely just one of multiple 

tales that could be told on this subject. 

Looking forward to better times, we have a 

colourful feature on the proposed stained glass 

windows for the parlour, which will feature a range of 

medicinal herbs used by apothecaries for centuries. We 

have beautiful illustrations for you to admire and 

accompanying text by Michael Spencer. 

We say goodbye to Mrs Enid Taylor the first women 

Master of the Society who held the post back in 2002/03. 

She will be missed, but we will always have her 

beautiful embroidered gifts to remember her by, in 

particular the spectacular lectern cover that graces the 

Top Table at functions and dinners. 

Finally, the Master Michael Farthing, who takes a 

second year in office along with the Senior and Junior 

Warden, has written a eulogy to Past Master and Past 

Lord Mayor of London Sir John Chalstrey who died in 

March 2020. He was a friend and colleague to many in 

this Society. 

Thea Lord, Editor 

Plague doctor of the medieval period 

2

The Master 2020-2021 

Michael Farthing 

On Thursday, 27 of August 2020, the Annual 

Election Court took place at Apothecaries’ Hall, an 

auspicious event when the Master and Wardens for 

the coming year are formally elected by the Court, 

following which they make their Declarations of 

Office. The Wardens and I had been invited by the 

Court to allow our names to go forward for reelection, 

on the basis that we could provide continuity 

in uncertain times. We were duly elected and at the 

dinner which followed the Court meeting, I expressed, 

on behalf of all of us, our deepest thanks for entrusting 

us with our ‘Badges’ for a second year. We shall see 

whether it was the right thing to do in August 2021, 

but I can assure you, that we will take our tasks 

extremely seriously, and look particularly for 

opportunities during the year to improve what we 

already do very well, and also to explore new ways of 

working. 

When invited by our editor to produce a Profile of 

the New Master, I immediately thought that we could 

rerun the piece I wrote last year, but it became rapidly 

apparent that this would not do. I have therefore taken 

the option of reflecting on the events of past year and 

have cautiously projected forward into 2021. 

There may be a perception that the Wardens and I 

had drawn ‘short straws’ and have had a diminished 

experience because of the COVID pandemic. Although 

it must be admitted that the social aspects of the 

Master’s year did quieten down during the last 5 

months, and I have missed the many face-to-face 

interactions that one would normally experience at the 

Hall at meetings, lectures and other social events, I can 

assure you that we had a pretty spectacular 6 months 

at the beginning of the year and I am certainly not 

suffering from undernutrition. Personally, I have 

enjoyed the warm and generous hospitality from 

many of our friends across the City such as the 

Paviors, the Curriers, the Musicians, the Painter 

Stainer’s the Armourers and Brazier’s, the Pewterer’s, 

the Shipwrights, the Solicitors, the Turners, the Dyers, 

the Saddlers, and the Plaisterers; to name but a few! 

My penultimate dinner as a guest was especially 

enjoyable, hosted by Master Brewer, Simon Theakston 

at the Brewers’ Hall, at which I was invited to respond 

on behalf of the guests. I focused my address on our 

mutual interest in unicellular microbial organisms, 

yeasts for the Brewers and the gut microbiota for the 

Apothecaries. 

There were several highlights of the year which are 

worth mentioning. Last September, the Clerk, the 

Mistress and I hosted a dinner for the New York Times 

Atlas Obscura travelling club at the Hall; a white tie, 

faux livery dinner, with all the trappings. Similarly, 

we were honoured to host the 175 th Anniversary 

Penfold’s winery dinner which was a spectacular 

affair with probably the best New World wines I have 

3

ever tasted. Both dinners were excellent opportunities 

to make new friends and talk about the Apothecaries 

and our exquisite ancient Hall and its contents. 

The Mistress and I had a wonderful weekend in 

York with the Merchant Adventurers, when we, like 

many Past Masters before us, were able to step inside, 

what I believe to be the oldest Livery Hall in England, 

dating back to the 15 th century. 

I would also mention the very successful Opera 

Dinner organised by the Charity Committee. A 

wonderful and highly entertaining evening but also a 

resounding success as a fund-raiser; sincere thanks to 

Simon Bailey and Chris Khoo who organised the 

event. 

Finally, the Mistress had great fun organising her 

‘Agatha Christie’ consorts’ lunch to which she invited 

author, Kathryn Harkup who had just published her 

book, A is for Arsenic. She spoke about the poisons that 

our beloved Agatha Christie used so expertly, 

following of course instruction by the Apothecaries, to 

polish-off many of her victims. Although I was 

present at the start of the occasion and welcomed her 

guests, I decided not to stay for lunch but to move on 

to another engagement, as I was concerned about the 

relish for poisoning which Alison had developed 

during the previous weeks; I thought it would be safer 

to grab a sandwich at a local Pret. 

There were a few disappointments. The Ironbridge 

weekend, where Masters, Prime wardens et cetera 

meet as a Year Group, was cancelled although 

subsequently we were able to establish the 

management structure of our Year Group, now known 

as the Zoomers, using the aforesaid remote platform. 

I was particularly sad that we were unable to take 

the Galen celebration forward this year but delighted 

that we took the bold step to mark the occasion with 

the aid of modern technology. I was most grateful to 

all of you who were able to attend and particularly 

those who contributed to the lively online banter 

before the formal part of the evening began. 

There were one or two sad moments during the 

year, and I would particularly want to mention the 

death of our esteemed past Master Sir John Chalstrey 

whose memorial service was on 22 September at St 

Bartholomew’s the Great. I was honoured to be 

invited to contribute an obituary to Plarr’s Lives of 

Fellows, a publication, now available online, of the 

Royal College of Surgeons of England. An abbreviated 

version also appears in this issue of Apothecary. 

When unexpectedly bad things happen, I have 

become quite accustomed to look for ‘silver-linings’. 

We are in a strong position at the Apothecaries, 

having been well-managed over many years, and 

hopefully with a very optimistic future. But it would 

be wrong for us to think that the world is going to go 

back to the previous normal. We need to look very 

hard at our self as we move into next year, and make 

sure that we take every opportunity to benefit from 

the shakeup that we have all experienced over the last 

few months. The Court was enthusiastic, for example, 

that we look at every option to enhance our technical 

platforms to support our wish to engage more actively 

in distance learning, including the possibility of 

conducting some of our examinations online and to 

increase our offer of seminars and lectures. I am also 

keen, that during the coming year, we explore new 

ways of exploiting and sharing our unique archive. 

I am particularly grateful to the Presidents of our 

remarkable Faculties that have adapted rapidly and 

appropriately to keep the show on the road, to our 

new Dean who has hit the ground running, to the 

Livery Committee for adjusting to new ways of 

working, but at the same time ensuring that socially, 

we are still a going concern and finally to the Clerk 

and his devoted team who have worked full-on 

throughout the last few months to ensure that the Hall 

is safe and secure, that we have supported our 

partners such as our caterer, Party Ingredients and that 

as soon as we can safely move towards a more vibrant 

social environment with lectures, other meetings and 

dinners, they have prepared the way to make sure it 

happens. 

Thank you all for your unstinting support that I, 

and the Wardens have received during the past year, 

and we are delighted to be given this special 

opportunity to be with you during 2021. 

4

Medical students step forward to the Covid-19 front line 

Bension Tilley, Asad-Ali Rehemtulla, Roshni Goodka, Maneera Jobanputra, Niraj 

Doshi, Joshua Bekhor, Dr Carly Szasz & Dr Chris Jenner – Elliott Hall Medical 

Centre, Hatch End, Pinner, Middlesex 

British Secretary of State for War in 1914, Field 

Marshall Lord Kitchener’s iconic advertisement by 

Alfred Leete was developed into a recruitment poster 

that is widely known to this day. It helped drive a 

‘recruitment frenzy’ where nearly half a million men 

voluntarily joined the Armed Forces in less than two 

months, long before conscription followed in January 

1916. 

Fast forward 106 years to the outbreak of a novel 

coronavirus, and although it wasn’t posters doing the 

rallying cry for volunteers, but the same call to arms was 

made. And as tens of thousands of people stepped 

forward to support communities, this piece pays tribute 

to the medical students who played their part on the 

frontline of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

In 1940, a small team of men and women, led by Vice 

Admiral Sir Bertram Ramsey, hatched an improvised 

plan in the tunnels deep beneath Dover Castle. In just a 

few days, those ordinary men and women working 

there had achieved something extraordinary. They had 

located and coordinated all the necessary equipment, 

people and artillery to lift an entire army from the brink 

of catastrophe. Along the way, they showed great 

flexibility to modify their improvised scheme through a 

number of setbacks. This was ‘Operation Dynamo’; the 

miraculous British effort to evacuate the Allied forces 

from the beaches of Dunkirk to safety at Dover. Though 

the Battle of Dunkirk went down in history as a German 

tactical victory, there is little doubt that the measures, 

directed from Dover Castle, enabled the authorities to 

save vast numbers of lives, and to contribute to the 

Allied victory over Hitler. 

That war-time spirit of tackling adversity by thinking 

differently has many parallels in today’s pandemic. 

Whilst it is crucially important not to compare the 

suffering and senseless loss of life during the Great War 

or the Second World War, Covid-19 is an enemy that 

requires aggressive confrontation, the likes of which 

have never been faced previously in peacetime. There 

had never been a greater need for initiative, creativity 

and meticulous planning, since the standard was so 

aptly set by our forebears at Dover. 

In 1945 with World War II was coming to an end, 

there was a critical shortage of medics. In an echo of the 

call to Kitchener two decades earlier, the British Army 

put out a call for volunteers from the final year ranks of 

London’s medical schools. Almost 100 students stepped 

forward to serve their country, leaving their homes and 

hospitals to be deployed in Holland at a time of great 

famine. 

At the very last minute, they were diverted to the 

newly liberated Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, 

which had been the location of the murder of more than 

50,000 people, the vast majority of whom were Jewish, 

including Anne Frank and her sister, Margot. 

Tuberculosis and typhus were widespread and 

accounted for a large proportion of the 500 daily deaths 

that occurred in the camp in the days after its liberation. 

Several of the medical students contracted these 

illnesses and became critically unwell, though none 

died. In spite of this unimaginable challenge, the result 

of these fledgling medics’ heroic efforts, under the 

command of British Forces, was clear to see. Their 

intervention had reduced the death rate in post- 

5

liberation Bergen-Belsen from 500 to 100 per day. Many 

thousands of those incarcerated would come to owe 

their survival to a group of student doctors, whose 

utility was recognised at that time of great crisis. 

Though today’s situation is very different, there is no 

doubt that we are confronted now by an enemy we had 

not planned for and which has necessitated invention 

where precedent is lacking, particularly in a healthcare 

system that has been stretched to capacity. 

The requirement of many of our elderly and most 

vulnerable citizens to shield during the Covid-19 

outbreak created a great need for volunteers to support 

their daily activities. At Elliott Hall Medical Centre – a 

large general practice in North West London – many 

patients found themselves in a position of heightened 

vulnerability. This created a need for an innovative local 

endeavour. 

The team at Elliott Hall called on the help of six 

medical students from medical schools across London, 

including Imperial, UCL and King’s, and further afield, 

to help create a system to provide vulnerable patients 

with a volunteer contact. After an initial call to action, 

over 280 volunteers from within the practice’s patient 

ranks signed up to support those who were more 

vulnerable. The volunteers were led by a team of 

stewards to aid patients in their locality, supported all 

the while by medical students and GPs located at the 

practice. Often, the students' role required consulting a 

worried patient, considering their medical and social 

histories, and comparing these against what can only be 

described as a fast-moving target of constantly evolving 

NHS guidelines and best practice. Through these efforts, 

a self-sufficient system of voluntary support has been 

created, allowing 180 vulnerable patients to access the 

help they need at a challenging time. 

As GPs find themselves increasingly busy with 

telephone and web-based consultations, student doctors 

have the expertise and time to navigate complex 

scenarios at the interface of medicine and social 

provision. Not only did this free up GP time to be spent 

performing clinical duties, it also gave students an 

incredible opportunity to learn and develop 

fundamental skills required to become safe and 

competent physicians. 

The medical students who entered Bergen-Belsen 

were heroes. They sustained an ordeal that we could not 

imagine today, but one that inspired generations that 

follow them, including ours. During Covid-19, the team 

at Elliott Hall were proud to see medical students play 

their part, serving on the front line of a disease that has 

caused pain and suffering to so many. We remain 

inspired by all those who stepped forward for their 

communities and redouble our efforts to support them, 

in the best tradition of our profession. 

6

Clerk’s Report 

The recent activities of the Society 

The COVID-19 pandemic has seen a hiatus in the 

Society’s activities, but the life of the Society goes on. 

Reflecting on the need for the Society to maintain 

continuity during these difficult times, the Court of 

Assistants asked the current Master and Wardens (the 

“Private Court”) to repeat their terms of office, and duly 

at the Election Court held on 27 August 2020, the 

following were re-elected for the year 2020-21: 

Master 

Senior Warden 

Junior Warden 

Michael John Godfrey Farthing 

Jane Anderson 

Jonathan James Cornelius Holliday 

The Activities of the Society 

September 2019 – August 2020 

Past Masters Dr PA Knapman and Dr TL Chambers 

retired from the Court on 27 August 2020 with the 

gratitude of the Court for their long and exemplary 

service. 

Dr TD Baker and Dr DB Jefferys were elected to the 

Court and made their declarations as Assistants during 

a video-conferenced Court meeting on 18 June 2020. Dr 

Baker and Dr Jefferys were recruited to the Court from 

the Livery using for the first time a revised, open, 

application process. Dr Baker will be the first Assistant 

under the new dispensation to join the Court for a 

limited time (up to two 3-year terms) and leave without 

progressing to the Chair. He may wish to seek election 

again at a later stage in his career, when progression to 

the Chair might fit in better with his career stage. 

The 2018-19 Court 

Social distancing has meant that we have been unable to take a group 

photograph of the 2020-21 Court. For reference we are showing again 

the 2019-20 Court. 

Seated: (left to right): Past Masters Mr NL Wood, Dr PA Knapman 

(now Emeritus), Senior Warden Prof MJG Farthing (now Master), 

Master Prof MN Rossor (now Immediate Past Master), Junior 

(now Senior) Warden Prof J Anderson, Past Masters Mr A Paris 

(now Emeritus), Dr RGH Bethel Standing front row (left to right): 

Court Assistants Dr PD Simmons (now Emeritus), Dr JE Neild, Prof FJ 

Wilcox, Past Masters Dr JC Moore-Gillon, Dr DW Adams (Honorary 

Treasurer), Chairman of the Livery Committee Col J Carey Harris, 

Deputy Clerk Ms V Longhurst. 

Standing rear row (left to right): the Clerk Mr NS Royle, Court Assistant 

Dr PJT O’Mordha, Past Masters Dr PJH Tooley,Prof CG Mackworth- 

Young, Dr RN Palmer, Court Assistant AVM A Mozumder, Junior 

Warden Dr JJC Holliday, Past Master Dr TL Chambers (now 

Emeritus), the Beadle Mr B Saunders. 

Not shown: Court Assistants Dr TD Baker and Dr DB Jefferys. 

7

In the last year the staff team has said goodbye to 

Academic Registrar Mr J Benson and welcomed Dr C 

O’Boyle in his place. Deputy Clerk Ms V Longhurst 

went on maternity leave, being delivered of the 

delightful Amelia Lucy on 21st May 2020. Vicki and Rob 

are deliriously happy, and Ms B Ryan is acting in her 

place. 

Society Membership 

Congratulations are due to the following 25 Liverymen 

who were clothed by the Master during the year: 

Dr Tristan Barber, Mr Kevin Bromley, Prof Graham 

Buckton, Dr Gillian Bullock, Prof David Burn, Mr Tony 

Cartwright, Dr Sarah Chatham, Dr Emma Dalton, Dr 

Josu de la Fuente, Prof Michael Dillon, Prof Mark Fox, 

Dr Neil Hartman, Dr Sheelagh Hillan MBE, Dr Philip 

Hopley, Prof Kieron Leslie, Dr Lorraine Linton, Dr 

Stephen Linton, Lt Col Deborah Malins TD, Mrs Lucy 

Pettitt, Dr Michael Robinson, Dr Victor Selwyn, Dr 

Kieran Wardman, Prof Julius Weinberg, Mr Stuart 

Wells, Dr Deborah Williams. 

14 candidates made their declaration as Freemen and 

were welcomed to the Society by the Master. 

Ms Tracy Alexander, Prof Jackie Cassell, Lord Timothy 

Clement-Jones CBE, Prof Sina Dorudi, Dr Robin 

Gardner, Ms Briony Hudson, Dr Sophie Jefferys, 

Dr David Maudgil, Dr Peter Mace, Dr Kieran McHugh, 

Dr Shirin Parsno, Dr William Reith, Dr Susan West were 

admitted by Redemption and Prof Jonathan Brown was 

admitted by Servitude. 

In addition, 4 Apprentices was bound and there were 18 

notices of deaths. 

On 1 September, 2020, the strength of the Society stood 

at 1,249, discounting Honorary membership. Of these, 

982 were Liverymen,239 Yeomen and 28 Apprentices. 75 

were pharmacists, and 1605 other non-medical 

members. The remainder were all from medical 

specialities. 19% of the Society’s membership is female. 

In terms of Quarterage, 594 members have declared 

Guardant, 536 declared Couchant, 93 are not yet eligible 

to declare, having less than five years’ seniority. 

Members may no longer declare Couchant, this being a 

special dispensation when quarterage was introduced, 

but those no longer wishing to pay quarterage will have 

their membership archived. 

The Society’s Property 

The Society’s property demands remain challenging. 

Investigation of the subsidence problem at the far end of 

the Great Hall has continued, including a dig in the 

basement to reveal the (lack of) foundations, and we are 

now in a movement-monitoring phase that may last 

some months before any formal diagnosis and 

prescription is made. We are enormously grateful to our 

insurers, the Livery Companies Mutual, for their 

support in what is a very expensive exercise. 

Members will know that the Society’s income is heavily 

dependent on let properties around the Hall. To date 

most of our tenants have weathered the pandemic in 

reasonably good shape, but we do now have three 

vacant units, two vacated before the pandemic and now 

hard to let in a sticky market, and one tenant who has 

moved out since lockdown began. If you know of 

someone looking for flexible office space, please contact 

the Clerk. 

Service Affiliations 

The Society continues to enjoy affiliations with 256 Field 

Hospital, RAMC; 4626 (County of Wiltshire) 

Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron; 201 (Harrow) 

RAMC Cadet Detachment; and the Middlesex and 

North West London Army Cadet Force. HMS Somerset 

is currently undergoing a refit, but the affiliation will be 

continued once that is complete – and the Government’s 

pandemic guidelines allow. 

Close and warm relations with the Chelsea Physic 

Garden have been maintained. Our representative on 

their Advisory Committee is Dr PJH Tooley. 

8

Events at the Hall 

The year started with the usual range of Livery dinners 

but since the pandemic lockdown, no social functions 

have been possible at the Hall. With the slight easing of 

restrictions in the summer we hoped that we might start 

to reopen to events, but with the subsequent tightening 

of the guidelines (the “rule of six”) this has now been 

ruled out for the foreseeable future. 

A number of events have been run online, and at 

outdoor locations. For the most up-to-date guidance on 

what is available, keep an eye on the emailed 

Newsletter, and the regularly updated Events 

Programme on the Society’s website. 

The Galen, Farr, Apothecaries’ Prize and Surgeon 

General’s Medals 

At a videoconferenced seminar held on 13 July 2020, the 

Master presented the Society’s Galen Medal in 

Therapeutics to Professor Dame Kay Davies, for her 

work on the molecular analysis of human genetic 

disease, particularly Duchenne muscular dystrophy 

(DMD), and the application of genomics for the analysis 

of neurological disorders and gene–environment 

interactions. Professor Mike Hanna delivered the 

citation. 

The William Farr Medal was presented on the same 

occasion to Professor Craig Ritchie, for the substantial 

impact he has made at a global level on the well-being 

of older people through his leadership of dementia 

prevention research and service innovation, merging 

expertise in translational epidemiology with psychopharmacology 

and clinical trials design and 

delivery, noting his determination to see research from 

his own projects and elsewhere rapidly embedded in 

clinical practice and public health policy. Professor 

David Burn delivered the citation. 

Apothecaries’ prize 

At the same event the Apothecaries’ prize was awarded 

to Dr Yin Wu for his paper ‘An innate-like Vδ1+ γδ T cell 

compartment in the human breast is associated with 

remission in triple-negative breast cancer.’ 

9 

Surgeon General’s Apothecaries’ Prize 

Awarded in conjunction with the Surgeon General’s 

Office, for excellence in military medical support to 

crisis. The prize is awarded specifically for an action or 

contribution to a crisis subject to a specific MoD 

operational name or for planning, implementation or 

delivery of a specific activity within the crisis. 

The 2020 Surgeon General’s Apothecaries’ Prize was 

awarded to Surgeon Commander SA Bland RN, a 

consummate professional as a subject matter expert in 

his field. His personal response to the Nerve Agent 

attack in Salisbury in March 2018 was not only highly 

effective but contributed to protecting the lives of 

Armed Forces personnel operating in the area during 

the clean-up. 

Gifts 

On behalf of the Society, the Court was pleased to 

receive the following gifts: 

Society of Apothecaries Dispenser’s Certificate, in 

original scroll roll, a gift of the late recipient’s son, Mr 

Nick Welch; 

Silver-plated visiting card salver, inscribed with the 

signature of Lt Col C Samman, Master 1928-29. The gift 

of Mrs Jeannette Goulding; and 

Glasby, Michael. (2017). Wholeness & Holiness: Medicine, 

Disease, Purity and the Levitical Priesthood. London: 

Apostolos Old Testament Studies. A Gift of Liveryman 

(Couchant) Mr Michael Glasby. 

A miniature of Past Master Professor CG Mackworth- 

Young by Mr Anthony Oakshett. 

Sir George Clark (1964). A History of The Royal College of 

Physicians of London, Volume One, Clarendon Press, 

Oxford. A Gift of Liveryman Mr John Hudson. 


Physicians of London, Volume Two, Clarendon Press, 

Oxford. A Gift of Liveryman Mr John Hudson.


Physicians of London, Volume Three, Clarendon Press, 

Oxford. A Gift of Liveryman Mr John Hudson. 

William Hugh Curtis (1941). William Curtis Botanist, 

Warren & Son, Winchester. A gift of Assistant Emeritus 

Dr Paul Simmons. 

Facsimile of Freedom Certificate of Edward Jenner. 

A gift from The Wellcome Trust. 

A painting of the Apothecary Hall Courtyard by 

J.C.Moody. A bequest from Liveryman Kenneth Lees. 

The Leathersellers’ Company & Dagmar Motycka 

Weston, 2020, The Seventh Hall of The Leathersellers’ 

Company, Artifice Press, London. A gift of the 

Leathersellers’ Company. 

Zachary Dorner, 2020, Merchants of Medicines, The 

University of Chicago Press, Chicago. A gift from 

Zachary Dorner. 

Deaths 

The deaths of the following members are reported with 

regret: 

Ian Maddison Calder 

Sir (Leonard) John Chalstrey 

Gordon William Sinclair Davie 

Robert Anthony Keable Elliott OBE 

James Patrick Sidney England 

Barbara Stewart Ely 

Leslie Keith Fowler 

Owen Jeremy Adrian Gilmore 

Barry Ian Hoffbrand 

Silvain Edouard Josse 

Raj Kumar Kapur 

Roy William Lamb 

Andrew Nicholas McClean 

Neil McIntyre 

Peter Francis Michael O'Connor 

Jennifer Mary Olliff 

Kenneth Barrett Saunders 

David Ivor Maurice Siegler 

Peter Sleight 

Arthur David McGowan Steele 

Enid Taylor 

Robin John Venn 

Euan David Wallace 

Francis Owen (Frank) Wells 

Roger Stanley Williams 

Grant Burkhill Williams 

10

Sir Leonard John Chalstrey (1931 – 2020) 

Friend and colleague 

668 th Lord Mayor of London (1995–96) 

Master Apothecary (1994–5), Master Barber (1998–9) 

I was honoured recently to be invited to write an 

obituary for Sir John for Plarr’s Lives of the Fellows of the 

Royal College of surgeons of England*. I have used this 

as a reference source for this less traditional account of 

the life of a Past Master but focus here on some of the 

more personal attributes which made him the man that 

we shall remember. 

John was born in Tipton, Staffordshire and educated 

at Dudley School where he excelled both as an academic 

and a middle-distance runner to county level. I always 

thought John was proud of his heritage as a son of the 

industrial West Midlands, sometimes referred to as the 

Black Country, once said to be ‘a place where even the 

birds cough’. To my ear, he never lost the appealing 

warmth and softness of his Tipton accent, which 

reaffirmed for me the inner contentment he had with his 

origins. 

John went on to read medicine at Queen’s College, 

Cambridge in 1951 and then to Bart’s Medical College 

for his clinical training, qualifying in 1957. He passed 

through several training jobs in other hospitals in 

London, wrote a Cambridge MD thesis on thyroid 

cancer and was appointed consultant surgeon and 

senior lecturer at Barts’ in 1969. John was a skilled and 

caring upper gastrointestinal surgeon, but he was also a 

modest and retiring entrepreneur. He was an early 

adopter of minimally invasive surgery and flexible 

endoscopy and I was reminded by one of our 

Liverymen that he set up the first independent day-case 

endoscopy unit in London. Another Liveryman 

responded to my call for anecdotes in our Newsletter and 

related the affection that he engendered from his 

trainees. They felt valued and well cared for and 

described him as ‘a wonderful teacher and surgical 

guide’. He recalled John’s response when he failed the 

Fellowship examination at the first attempt. ‘People 

who pass that exam first time are never much good–and 

so I assure you that when you do pass next time round 

– you will have joined the League of Gentlemen!’ 

Kindness and reassurance at a time of great need. 

Practising at Bart’s, the only hospital in the City of 

London, John developed a serious interest in the 

workings of the City of London Corporation and its 

livery companies. He was both an Apothecary and a 

Barber and a Master to both. But after a decade at Bart’s 

and after being elected Alderman of Farringdon Ward 

in 1984, he had set himself on a trajectory to be Sheriff 

and then the Lord Mayor of London, the first surgeon 

ever to be elected to that role and only the second 

medical practitioner. He always spoke with great 

warmth about the year that he and Aileen had together, 

particularly the international travel and the people of 

influence that they met, perhaps the highlight being 

President Nelson Mandela. 

John and Aileen had two children, Susan, an ENT 

surgeon (a Liveryman of the Worshipful Society of 

Apothecaries) and Jonathan, a management consultant 

specialising in transforming business cultures (a 

Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Barbers) who 

between them produce hide much loved grandchildren. 

John will be remembered as a patient-centred clinician, 

a supportive teacher and trainer and a high achiever 

outside medicine but perhaps most of all, a modest, 

kind, and considerate human being. 

Prof Michael Farthing 

Master Apothecary 

*Sir Leonard John Chalstrey, 

Plarr’s Lives of Fellows Royal College of Surgeons of England, 2020 

11

Treasurer’s Report 

It is almost a ritual that the Treasurer on taking post is 

faced with a major financial challenge; we all remember 

the ‘dry rot’ episode that greeted my predecessor, Dr 

Robert Bethel, when he succeeded to the office. 

Consequently, I was not surprised when a significant 

crack was discovered in the wall of the Great Hall at the 

beginning of my tenure in September 2019. Little did I 

know at that time that the challenge of Covid-19 was 

about to add to my concerns. 

The crack in the Hall is currently being investigated: 

trial pits have been dug at the base of the wall to 

examine the nature of the foundations and after a 

lengthy discussion with Historic England about the 

nature of the glue to be used, telltales have been 

attached to assess whether the crack is increasing, 

decreasing or remaining unchanged. These telltales will 

remain in place until the Spring in order that movement 

brought about by annual variation in soil moisture and 

ambient temperature may be recorded before a decision 

can be made regarding future action. We do not know 

what the cost of any remedial work might be or whether 

it will be covered by our insurance policy. 

We have continued to engage in capital projects 

during the year to maintain and improve the building. 

The housekeeper’s flat has been reconfigured and 

linked to the office space on the third floor, so that the 

examination department staff may be relocated 

alongside the rest of the administration team. Work on 

the roof lights over the third-floor offices has been 

completed and the waterproofing improved. New 

computers have been purchased and an Access and 

Entry Control System installed, to improve building 

security. Construction of a disabled access facility is 

almost completed; it will replace the existing primitive 

solution of a ramp that had to be unstowed, laid over 

the main entrance steps into Black Friars Lane and then 

restowed. 

Covid-19 has not had the adverse effect on our 

income that one might have expected. The Hall was 

closed from March 2020 and so we received no income 

from functions organised in the Hall for the members. 

Fortunately, these events are run on a break-even basis 

and so the loss of income was more or less balanced by 

the savings realised by not running the functions. The 

Hall closure also nullified all subsequent earnings from 

third party hirings, but luckily this was mitigated by a 

particularly good seven months of income prior to the 

shutdown. Rent from our properties is another major 

income stream and with the exception of two floors in 

Magnesia House, all our properties are let, and the rents 

are all paid up to date. Although dividends from our 

investments are slightly reduced, our portfolio 

compares well with the FTSE 100 benchmark, exhibiting 

a value greater than it was in January this year. Most of 

the staff transferred to working productively from home 

and the cleaning staff were put onto furlough. 

Taken on the whole we have not had a bad year. 

Despite the effects of Covid-19 our draft Operational 

Budget shows a profit of about £100,000. However, next 

year will almost certainly be more challenging. We still 

have the structural damage to the Great Hall to tackle; 

Covid-19 is still with us and its effects could be more 

detrimental than they have been during 2020. 

Derek W. Adams, PhD 

12

“They tell me that in Westminster there is never a physitian, 

and but one apothecary left, all being dead.” Samuel Pepys 1665 

Briony Hudson, President, Faculty of the History and Philosophy of 

Medicine and Pharmacy 

Aroop Mozumder, Former President Faculty of Conflict and Catastrophe Medicine 

National guidelines restricting funerals, controlled 

opening of pubs, quarantine for infected families, 

closure of theatres, crackdowns on unlawful public 

gatherings, and recommendations to stay at home, rest 

in bed and self-medicate if you display any worrying 

symptoms. All measures that are very familiar to 

readers navigating the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. 

However, all of these restraints were also in place in 

1665 alongside royal rules forbidding pigs, dogs, cats or 

tame pigeons to wander about in infected areas, 

pamphlets advising fumigation of churches and sick 

rooms using brimstone (sulphur) or tar, and 

recommendations to avoid eating cauliflower or 

apricots to fortify people's bodies against the Great 

Plague. The belief that this terrifying disease was carried 

via bad air or miasma determined the official advice, 

including that plague burials should not be exhumed in 

case the “venemous reeks of the body break forth at the 

place opened, and infect the Air.” 

The Great Plague of 1665 was the worst outbreak of 

bubonic plague in England since the Black Death of 

1348. An estimated 100,000 Londoners died, around 15 

per cent of its population. The earliest cases occurred in 

spring 1665 in St Giles-in-the-Fields, a parish outside the 

city wall, and peaked in September 1665 when 7,165 

Londoners died in one week. Mass communal graves 

were established in places such as Aldgate and Finsbury 

Fields to cope with the numbers of dead. King Charles II 

and his courtiers left in July for Hampton Court and 

then Oxford, where both Parliament and the law courts 

also sat. By the cold weather of November, the epidemic 

seems to have slowed down, although there were also 

significant outbreaks beyond London including 

Winchester, Portsmouth and most famously Eyam in 

Derbyshire. 

Our apothecary ancestors in 1665 were praised by 

their contemporaries and later historians for remaining 

in London to treat the sick, whilst physicians fled to the 

country with their wealthy patrons. What does the 

surviving evidence tell us? The majority of Fellows of 

the Royal College of Physicians did leave London, 

including Thomas Sydenham and College President Sir 

Edward Alston. Royal Apothecaries, William Rosewell, 

John Chase and Nicaise le Febure left occasionally to go 

to Oxford with the relocated Court, but the majority of 

Society members remained in London. Even bitter 

critics such as physician Christopher Merrett wrote in 

his 1669 pamphlet A short view of the frauds and abuses 

committed by the apothecaries that “In the Plague time 

(most physicians being out of town) they [apothecaries] 

took upon them the whole practice of physic.” 

In his 1965 Sydenham Lecture to the Society's 

fledgling Faculty of the History of Medicine and 

Pharmacy, T.D. Whittet undertook forensic examination 

of Society, church and other records which revealed that 

up to 75 per cent of the 1350 apothecaries and their 

apprentices seemed to have remained in the capital for 

at least some of the time. Of the 425 individual 

apothecaries that he showed survived the plague, about 

225 were in London at some time during the epidemic, 

and almost 100 were present during its peak. 

What was the death rate amongst apothecaries? A 

letter written by Reverend John Allin on 14 September 

1665 stated: “I hear that about seven score doctors, 

13

apothecaries and surgeons are dead of this distemper in 

and about the city since this visitation.” Whittet 

estimated between 5 and 40 per cent of the membership 

may have died during the epidemic. This supports 

Samuel Pepys' well-known diary entry from 16 October 

1665: “they tell me that in Westminster there is never a 

physitian, and but one apothecary left, all being dead.” 

Although Christopher Merrett claimed that 

apothecaries stayed in the capital because they could 

not afford to leave, Whittet's research into their wills 

showed that 17 th century apothecaries were generally 

wealthy men, and a number had properties in the 

country, so it seems that they made the conscious 

decision to remain in their communities. Apothecary 

William Boghurst, based in St Giles-in-the-Fields, wrote 

Loimographia, An Account of the Great Plague of London in 

1666. He felt strongly that, if they were not putting their 

families at risk or were dependent on a particular 

physician for their livelihood, apothecaries had a duty 

to stay and support the sick: “those Apothecaries which 

stand upon their own legs, and live by their own 

practice, are bound by their undertakings to stay and 

help as in other diseases. Every man that undertakes to 

bee of a profession or takes upon him any office must 

take all parts of it, the good and the evill, the pleasure 

and the pain, the profit and the inconvenience 

altogether, and not pick and chuse.” 

This included continuing to contribute to the 

Society's activities. Although there is only one direct 

reference to the epidemic in the Society's Minute Books 

on 22 June 1665 - “In regard of the sickness this yeare it 

is ordered that there bee no herberisering meeting this 

yeare.” - the records show that Society business 

continued. Court meetings were held throughout 1665. 

Apothecaries John Battersby and Walter Pelling are 

mentioned numerous times in Pepys' diaries in the 

1660s, and Richard Lytlar, Upper Warden, Symon 

Williams, Renter Warden, and John Burton, the Clerk, 

remained in London. Michael North, elected Master in 

August 1665, also stayed in the capital, taking office in 

1666. William Garnett, the Beadle in this period, was 

awarded an additional £7 by the Court “in regard of his 

long sickness and povertie in the Contagion.” 

Whittet found conclusive proof that around 50 

apothecaries or members of their immediate families 

died during the plague, with an inevitable impact on 

Society membership. For example, on 26 May 1666 111 

people were called to the Livery and only 25 accepted. 

At least 10 members of the Court and 5 former Masters 

died during the plague, although not necessarily of the 

plague. These included Benjamin Bannister, Master in 

1663/4 who was present at Court meetings up to and 

including 30 May 1665, but was buried at St Stephens 

Walbrook on 16 January 1666. Stephen Chase, a founder 

member of the Society and apothecary to Charles I and 

Charles II, died during 1665 and his three daughters 

subsequently applied for relief from the Society. At the 

Court meeting on 22 February 1666, the son of Henry 

Best, apothecary to the Charterhouse, informed those 

present that “his father is very weake and like to dye”, 

and therefore would not be able to take up his role as 

Assistant. Best's will was proved on 18 May 1666. 

Our knowledge about the treatments and cures 

promoted for the plague come mainly from 

contemporary pamphlets and medicinal texts which 

were published in large numbers. In themselves, they 

show that apothecaries were actively supplying 

medicines for the plague such as Thomas Cock's treatise 

A Plain and Practical Discourse...upon Air...With cautionary 

rules and directions for the preservation of people in this time 

of sickness, which lists his remedies as available from Mr 

Wilkinson at the Mortar and Pestle in French Lane, and 

from Mr Reede at the Queen's Arms in Fan-church [sic] 

Street. A Brief Treatise on the Pestilence also published in 

1665 stated “Any may make these medicines themselves 

or be-speak them at their apothecaries, or may buy 

them ready made, at Mr John Danson's at the Sign of the 

Pestle and Mortar in Coleman Street or at Mr Hamnet 

Rigbies' at the Seven Stars in Fetter Lane.” William 

Boghurst, author of Loimographia, also advertised his 

services in the Intelligencer, for example, on 31 July 1665: 

“Whereas William Boghurst, Apothecary at the White 

Hart in St. Giles-in-the-Fields, hath administered a long 

time to such as have been infected with the Plague, to 

the number of 40, 50, or 60 patients a day, with 

wonderful success by God's blessing upon certain 

excellent medicines which he hath, as a water, a lozenge, 

etc. Also an Electuary Antidoate, of but 8d. the oz. 

price.” 

Historians have argued that the plague tested the 

medical profession's faith in classical, particularly 

Galenical, treatments and moved practitioners to share 

14

their empirical experiences of successful remedies in 

new ways. This certainly seems to have been the case for 

Boghurst who stated in his preface: “I have writt 

nothing from hearsay or from bookes or from the 

testimony of others or my own conceit, but all and onely 

from experience and triall.” This does not mean that 

Boghurst, and others, wholly abandoned blood-letting, 

blistering, purging or Hippocratic ideas of regimen and 

diet, and a reliance on humoral theory seems to have 

held sway. Thomas Sydenham wrote about how he 

evaluated blood letting against inducing a diaphoresis 

(intense sweating) or in Sydenham’s words “dissipation 

of the Pestilential Ferment by sweat”. He compares the 

Electuarium diascordium jar, from the Society's collection 

Recipes for electuary of Teucrium scordium (water germander) can be 

traced back to the works of Italian physician Girolamo Frascatoro in the 16 th 

century. Recommended for treating the plague, its primary active ingredient 

was opium. This elaborate delftware jar dates from the late 17 th century. 

side-effects of blood letting, which weakens the patient, 

against inducing a diaphoresis which he explained may 

fail, particularly in young men, who may go on to have 

a “Phrensy” or a febrile convulsion in our terms. On 

balance, Sydenham considered that inducing a fever 

was the better of the two treatments for plague, and 

followed a Hippocratic practice of watching and aiding 

the patient's body's natural crises. 

The ancient remedies of mithridatium and theriac 

were also called upon as both preventatives and 

treatments, if you could afford their multiple costly 

ingredients. Venice Treacle (theriac) was particularly 

prized as was its cousin London Treacle which was 

recommended in Directions for the Prevention and Cure of 

the Plague Fitted for the Poorer Sort (1665) as it consisted of 

cheaper ingredients than other medicinal treacles. It 

should be mixed with white wine vinegar, juice of 

wood-sorrel or juice of “orenges “[sic], plus salt of 

wormwood, and “Plague water of Mattias.” The 

directions suggested taking it with half a pint of white 

wine or a posset drink, and lying in bed quietly to sweat 

as long as the patient could bear it. This was continued 

at 6 hour intervals, and interspersed with nourishing 

meals such as gruel, caudle or chicken broth. The same 

pamphlet recommended a wholesome diet, including 

meat if you could afford it and salads served with a 

mustard, vinegar and oil dressing. It warned against 

cabbage, spinach, plums, cucumbers, grapes and 

gooseberries and suggested that baked fruit was better 

than raw in preventing infection. 

Meanwhile physician Nathaniel Hodges (1629-1688), 

author of Loimologia (first published in Latin in 1672) 

was confident that there were no cures for the plague, 

and discounted ancient remedies including 

bloodletting, which he described as “fatal.” He also 

dismissed the theriac staple of snake lozenges, and was 

equally dismissive of bezoars, powder of toads, and 

powdered unicorn horn which was recommended to 

him as an antidote: “[it] never answered any good 

Expectations, although I had several Dozes of it given 

me by a Merchant, on purpose, to try its Virtues...[it] 

had yet no Efficacy Against the pestilential Virulence.” 

It is perennially difficult to establish the motivations 

of people in the past. Did the apothecaries remain in 

London because of a sense of duty, the commercial 

possibilities or a more complex combination of both or 

15

other factors? Certainly, documents surviving in the 

British Library record payments to individual 

apothecaries for their work. For example, on 10 October 

1665 Thomas Dalton, apothecary, employed by Dr 

Hodges, was paid £50 for “physicke” delivered to poor 

patients that he visited in several City parishes. 

Apothecaries were also attached to pesthouses, 

established to isolate and treat plague victims. The City 

of London accounts show an entry “To apothecaries and 

chyrurgeons in the Plague time...£1,300.” These very 

large sums of money suggests that medicines were 

being supplied to significant numbers of people. 

In 1841, artist J.Franklin envisaged the range of remedies that a 

person might take to fortify themselves against the Great Plague. His 

etching includes "Aqua ipedemica", balsam of sulphur, and vinegar, 

and the man 

Other apothecaries were recognised for their efforts 

in alternative ways. Francis Barnard, apothecary at St 

Bartholomew's Hospital, was granted fellowship of the 

Royal College of Physicians in recognition of the 

services he provided while his physician colleagues left 

London: “Francis Barnard, Apothecary, hath officiated 

and prescribed to the sick patients in their absence 

wherin hee hath bin exposed to adventure his life, for 

whose paynes itt is thought fitt that hee shall have £35 

paid unto him being the like soome he hath yerely...for 

the cure of patients.” (23 December 1665). King Charles 

II awarded a piece of inscribed silver plate to apothecary 

William Slade for services in the plague. 

Apothecaries on the front line definitely went 

beyond their perceived remit as medicine sellers. 

William Boghurst relates in graphic detail some of his 

experiences attending the dying: “Wherefore I 

commonly drest forty soares in a day, held their pulse 

sweating in the bed half a quarter of an hour together to 

give judgement and informe myself in the various tricks 

of it. I lett one blood, gave glister though to but a few, 

held them up in their beds to keep them from strangling 

and choking half an hour together, commonly suffered 

their breathing in my face severall times when they 

were dying, eate and dranke with them, especially those 

that had soares, sate down by their bedd sides and upon 

their beds discoursing with them an hours together if I 

had tyme, and stayed by them to see the manner of their 

death, and closed up their mouth and eyes (for they 

dyed with their mouth and eyes very much open and 

stareing); then if people had noe body to help them (for 

helpe was scarce at such a tyme and place) I helpt to lay 

them forth out of the bedd and afterwards into the 

coffin, and last of all accompanying them to the grave.” 

The Great Plague was the last bubonic plague 

epidemic in this country, but the disease is still present 

globally today with a confirmed case of a herdsman in 

Inner Mongolia in July 2020. The World Health 

Organisation reported 3,248 cases between 2010 and 

2015, including 584 deaths with Madagascar the worsthit 

country with annual outbreaks. However, with our 

21 st century understanding of transmission and 

treatment, plague can be treated very effectively using 

antibiotics, and outbreaks contained. 

In recent months, many Society members have been 

on the front line in the battle to restrict the spread of 

16

COVID-19 and to treat those infected, employing their 

expertise against a disease arguably just as terrifying as 

its 17 th century equivalent in terms of impact and 

resistance to established treatments. In this context, 

Daniel Defoe's reflections in his A Journal of the Plague 

Year have great poignancy: ”I think it ought to be 

recorded to the honour of such men, as well clergy as 

physicians, surgeons, apothecaries, magistrates, and 

officers or every kind, as also all useful people who 

ventured their lives in discharge of their duty, as most 

certainly all such as stayed did to the last degree; and 

several of all these kinds did not only venture but lose 

their lives on that sad occasion.” Today's COVID-19 

pandemic prompts echoes of this gratitude for those 

working in such challenging circumstances. 

Theriaca Londinensis - The working copy of the 1809 Pharmacopoeia 

Londinensis, used in the Society's laboratories includes two handwritten 

pages of the 1745 formula for Theriac Andromachi, 

showing the longevity of its popularity. 

17

The Ethics of Care Home Visiting 

in the COVID-19 Pandemic 

Andrew Papanikitas, FRCGP, PhD 

Course Director, Course in philosophy and ethics of 

healthcare, Society of Apothecaries, UK 

The following essay was inspired by a discussion of the 

History and Philosophy Fellows of the Faculty of History and 

Philosophy. 

COVID has created a smorgasbord of ethical dilemmas, 

not just for policymakers and practitioners but members 

of the public also. One potentially agonising set of these 

issues is whether when and how to visit someone in a 

care home. Care homes residents and staff have disproportionately 

suffered, their population often older, 

frailer and sicker than the rest of us. As I walk past my 

local care home, I can see a banners advertising that they 

are COVID free. A triumph with an implicit plea for 

protection. 

Visiting to care homes almost entirely ceased during 

the first pandemic lockdown in the UK. If it took place, 

it did so in a very controlled manner with many 

precautions. Visitors were strictly limited in terms of 

time and number and had to wear personal protective 

equipment or communicate with loved once via a video 

call. There are similar accounts from other residential 

care settings such as hospices and psychiatric hospitals. 

These restrictions had a significant moral cost, however. 

Many families were unable to see or be with their loved 

ones during their final hours, or to support a relative 

during the longer goodbye of major illness and 

dementia, where the presence of relatives can be the 

very anchor someone needs to retain their identity as a 

person. This also has taken a toll on care staff, because 

distress can in some senses also be contagious. People 

can be forgiven for their indignation if they are now 

being told that they can enjoy a meal in a restaurant, 

unmasked but not spend time with grandparents if 

those grandparents are in residential care. 

There are opportunities from all these environments 

to learn from one another. It is clear that a one-size fits 

all approach will not work, either in among individual 

cases or among institutions. Some situations are risker 

than others. Public health risks do not just travel in one 

direction. We all should consider each other when 

making policies, when working with vulnerable people 

in our society and when deciding for ourselves what is 

the right thing to do. 

A psychiatrist colleague described a care facility 

during lockdown as a ‘household’. This metaphor only 

works in lockdown however. If we imagine a house 

with a large family where every member of the house 

invites one or more friends to a visit every day this 

clearly would have violated lock-down rules. Try 

thinking that one through in terms of lockdown and 

during re-emerging from lockdown (for better or for 

worse). 

To think purely in terms of rights and safety is too 

simplistic. When I discuss medical ethics with students, 

I ask them who has in interest in any given case. It is not 

just doctors and ethicists, who make ethical decisions or 

assign different value to life, liberty or the pursuit of 

happiness. Residents (not just the one being visited) 

may or may not have an interest in survival. They also 

have an interest in living well. They may also have no 

expressed interest whatsoever in being visited - but that 

does not necessarily mean that it is right to deny access 

to close family. Friends and family have an interest in 

seeing their loved ones and in not catching an illness 

which they could pass to other family and contacts. 

Carers also want to reduce the risk not just for their 

patients but also for themselves but want to see the joy 

of someone getting a hug from a grandchild. We all 

have an interest in reducing or avoiding a second wave 

of the pandemic but most agree that life under housearrest 

is not good for mental health. Interests are not the 

same as desires either - I may want to see my relative 

but I may also not want to put them in harms way. We 

18

also have duties. Our collective health and safety 

depends, in any society, on everyone else. Some of these 

have been enshrined in the pandemic guidelines from 

the government and backed by law. Sometimes these 

duties mean we don’t get what we want, or we have to 

change how we do things. 

So how does this change what I do if I want to visit a 

loved one who lives in a residential or nursing home. 

The regulations are only part of the picture - they only 

tell me what I must or must not do. Working with the 

nursing home is important. They know the people who 

are their residents and hopefully their vulnerability and 

risk. Think about your risk to them and their risk 

through you. If you have symptoms of COVID or have 

been exposed to it, you may have a duty to stay away. 

Think about the risk you bring and the risk you take 

away. Can you modify this by not drinking in a 

crowded pub in the two weeks prior to the visit, or by 

wearing a mask indoors if appropriate even though you 

are not obliged to? If the care home has an outbreak, can 

you self isolate or reduce contact with others 

afterwards? Are there reasons why you should ask for 

special dispensation? Time may be an issue when a 

loved one is near the end. We cannot undervalue the 

power of touch and a friendly familiar face. Many of the 

people you meet who run and staff the care homes 

will be going through similar moral agonies. What to 

allow, how to allow it, how to give some people relief 

without denying it to others. We should beware of an 

idealised narrative, however. In the real-world stories 

are messy. The vast majority of moral decisions are not 

taken by ethicists, politicians or doctors but by all of us, 

every day. 

Andrew Papanikitas is co-editor of BMA awardwinning 

The Handbook of Primary Care Ethics (2018) 

https://www.routledge.com/Handbook-of-Primary- 

Care-Ethics/Papanikitas-Spicer/p/book/9781785230905 

19

Registrar’s Report 

Cornelius O’Boyle 

Despite its best efforts, the COVID virus has failed to 

disrupt the Society’s academic activities during the last 

eight months, as we continue to provide an 

exceptionally rich offering of lectures, courses and 

exams, albeit in new formats. 

As one might imagine, our exams have been 

especially threatened by the pandemic. But by carefully 

redesigning them either as online exams or streamlined 

versions of the original we have been able to run a 

gratifyingly large number. Through the herculean 

efforts of our exams team, eight diets of our various 

diplomas have been hosted this year. None of this 

would have been possible without the excellent support 

from the Hall staff in creating a COVID-secure 

environment for us. 

Our faculty managers have also done a wonderful 

job of producing recorded versions of our lectures and 

making them available online. Shifting lectures online 

midway through a course is no easy feat, but our staff 

became IT experts overnight, mastering a bewildering 

array of platforms and applications. Our faculty 

managers also put their new IT skills to good use, 

helping the Society host many of its splendid 

presentations online as both live Zoom broadcasts and 

recorded material for our website. With their new IT 

self-confidence, our Faculties also collaborated to 

produce three exciting new “Explorer Courses” online 

over the summer months, drawing satisfyingly large 

audiences. 

In common with many academic institutions, we are 

discovering that the enforced adoption of online 

methods of delivery now points the way forward for the 

longer-term development of our educational strategy. 

Online synchronous and asynchronous learning 

blended with traditional face-to-face teaching may be 

not only more economically viable but also better suited 

to the needs of our busy and remote audiences. Our own 

experience is that “attendance” at online lectures has 

increased considerably as those who live outside 

London now have more opportunity to “join in” 

without travelling into the City. Indeed, our future 

academic offering will potentially be available to 

audiences not only outside London but beyond the 

shores of the UK too. Of course, nobody wants to lose 

the intimacy of face-to-face lecturing and testing: this 

will always be hallmark of excellence in education. But 

the world of online learning now opens up exciting 

possibilities for the academic work of the Society. 

Online learning is only part of our new venture. 

Following an extensive review of the academic activities 

of the Society, the old Exams Office is about to join our 

two Faculties in the creation of a unified Academic 

Department dedicated to a single purpose. Our aim is to 

provide world-class postgraduate training and 

examining in specialist areas of healthcare and its allied 

disciplines in the humanities, educating audiences in 

the benefits of lifelong learning in the healing arts. We 

will be developing seminars and conferences addressing 

various aspect of urban healthcare relating to the City of 

London. Together with more short online courses and 

new diplomas, our academic offering will reach a wider 

audience with our enduring commitment to spread the 

values and traditions of the Society. 

As the new Academic Registrar, I am excited to lead 

our Academic Department into this post-COVID world. 

20

Faculty of History and Philosophy 

of Medicine 

L-R: Mr Nicholas Wood (Past 

Master), Dr Jonathan Holliday 

(Junior Warden), Professor 

Michael Farthing (Master 

Apothecary), Dr William 

Parker, Osler Lecturer, Ms 

Briony Hudson (Faculty 

President), Mr Nick Royle 

(Clerk), Professor Jane 

Anderson (Senior Warden), Dr 

Derek Adams, (Past Master) 

Looking back over the past academic year, it 

obviously falls into two distinct parts: before and during 

the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the challenges faced 

by the Faculty in continuing its activities during lockdown 

are minor compared to literal matters of life and 

death in the wider world, our attempts to maintain our 

programme and sense of community have entailed a 

great deal of discussion and hard work. We have 

managed to continue our course days and our Fellows' 

meetings virtually, for which I give my sincere thanks to 

our Course Directors, lecturers, and Fellows' facilitators. 

The Faculty held 4 well-attended Eponymous 

Lectures in the period up to March 2020. Professor 

Patrick Wallis of the London School of Economics 

started the year with an excellent introduction to the 

transformation of healthcare in early modern England. 

In stark contrast, Professor Joanna Bourke at Birkbeck, 

University of London, gave a powerful lecture 

considering “Historical Reflections on Medicine and 

Sexual Violence.” In January this year, Dr Jeremy 

Howick, Director of the Oxford Empathy Programme, 

explained “Why we need more Placebos in Clinical 

Practice, and fewer in Clinical Trials.” Dr William 

Parker was this year's Osler Lecturer, as the student on 

21

Dr Jeremy Howick, John Locke Lecturer, and Dr Andrew Papanikitas, 

Deputy President and Philosophy Course Director 

the History Diploma course who gave the best Test 

Lecture. Dr Parker's lecture was titled “Rediscovering a 

local surgical pioneer: the life and work of Judson 

Chesterman.” He was also the recipient on that evening 

of the annual Maccabaean Prize and Medal for the best 

dissertation, the first time that one person has won both 

awards. 

The remaining 4 lectures from this year's programme 

have been re-scheduled alongside the existing 2020-21 

academic year's programme. We look forward to 

hearing a stimulating range of talks from an 

examination of sex versus gender identity in the General 

Medical Council’s Transgender Healthcare Ethical 

Guidance from Dr Sara Dahlen, to Dr Michael Brown on 

Surgery and Emotion Before Anaesthesia, and a History 

of Peyote given by Mike Jay. 

The two annual courses have attracted healthy 

student numbers, but unfortunately, the 3-day course 

on the History of Medicine and the Students' Course on 

the History of Medicine both had to be cancelled due to 

the pandemic. Both the History and Philosophy Fellows' 

groups have gone from strength to strength with many 

members enjoying virtual meetings in recent months, 

and a well-attended joint symposium on the medical 

marketplace held on Zoom in June 2020. 

The Faculty Manager and members of Court 

continued to visit medical schools including Imperial 

College, Queen Mary, University of London and St 

George’s University of London (SGUL), in order to 

engage students with the Society and its courses and 

prizes. Student engagement continues to be a focus this 

year and we appointed Shahi Ghani from SGUL as the 

first holder of a new Student Ambassador role, to 

strengthen student links with the Executive Committee 

and the wider Faculty. 

We were pleased to receive applications for 4 new 

Apothecaries' Lecturers during the year, and welcome 

Andrew Papanikitas, Clare Button, Carwyn Hooper and 

Terence Doyle. Further nominations are also due to be 

considered by the Court. We held a very successful 

Zoom meeting of Apothecaries' Lecturers in May 2020, 

including those in Australia and New Zealand, proving 

that the technological developments foisted upon us by 

the pandemic restrictions have definite silver linings. 

Arts panel discussion at the International Women's Day event: L-R Nidhi 

Gupta, Bev Thomas, Sybil H Mair, Maria Thomas 

It was obviously a great disappointment to have to 

postpone the majority of our special events to mark the 

Faculty's 60 th anniversary year. We were very pleased to 

be able to run the planned International Women's Day 

event in early March with a group of 10 fascinating 

women speakers in the fields of history, the arts and the 

sciences. Thank you to Jon Baines Tours for their 

sponsorship of the drinks reception at this event and 

others in our programme. Sadly all other anniversary 

events had to be postponed. We look forward to belated 

celebrations during 2020-21. However, the Diamond 

Patrons' Fund has been extremely well supported and a 

very big thank you to all of our patrons who have 

22

collectively raised more than £3,000 to use for 

developing future Faculty events. 

I was delighted to be asked to attend Friends of the 

Archives meetings to engender a closer working 

relationship between their aims and activities and those 

of the Faculty. We look forward to jointly welcoming 

delegates to the postponed Barks, Berries and Bitter Pills 

symposium in May 2021, and continuing to explore 

ways to work together. I was also very pleased to be 

invited to form part of the new Apothecary editorial 

board, not least that it enables me to suggest articles to 

highlight all of the interesting research and thinking that 

our members, particularly our History and Philosophy 

Fellows, are carrying out. 

The Faculty’s Executive Committee has taken some 

difficult decisions in recent years to enable it to achieve 

a more secure financial footing. These changes seem to 

have paid off with a small surplus in this year's 

accounts, and I would like to thank our new team of 

volunteers who help at lectures and events, for their 

time and efforts to support Maria as Faculty Manager to 

run buffets and welcome guests. 

I would also like to thank all members of the 

Executive Committee for their contribution, particularly 

Tina Matthews as Immediate Past President, Andrew 

Hilson as Honorary Meetings Secretary, Andrew 

Papanikitas as Philosophy Course Director and Deputy 

President, and Christopher Gardner-Thorpe as History 

Course Director. Andrew Hilson and Christopher 

Gardner-Thorpe have both demitted their roles, and we 

are grateful for their time on the Committee and their 

work for the Faculty. 

The Faculty is also extremely grateful to all of the 

Society staff who support our events and activities, 

particularly the Academic Registrar, Jim Benson, the 

Clerk, Nick Royle, who serves as the Faculty’s Honorary 

Treasurer and Maria Ferran, Faculty Manager, who 

works tirelessly to ensure the successful running and 

development of the Faculty. Heartfelt thanks also to Sue 

Leary for managing the complex and changing 

payments and refunds in this period. We also greatly 

appreciate the contributions of the new Dean, David 

Ross, our Court Visitor, Roy Palmer, and the Master 

Apothecary, Michael Farthing. 

Thank you for your support during the last academic 

year. The Faculty's Executive Committee is realistic that 

we will not be returning to our “normal” operations for 

some time, but are keenly embracing the opportunities 

that online events and courses offer in terms of wider 

access and promotion. However, I very much look 

forward to seeing you at Apothecaries’ Hall when it is 

safe to meet again in person. In the meantime, I hope 

that you are able to take advantage of our virtual 

activities. Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you 

have any comments or ideas relating to the Faculty. We 

greatly value your involvement. 

23

The Parlour Stained Glass Windows Project 

Four years ago and in my capacity as the Chairman of 

the Livery Committee at the time, I discussed the idea of 

brightening up the Parlour with stained glass with 

William Shand, not only a Past Master but also someone 

with a keen interest in stained glass and a practitioner of 

the art. The idea was mainly to celebrate the Society’s 

Quatercentenary - little did I realise what a long road it 

would be! We felt the appropriate theme would be 

medicinal plants. 

I set about finding the necessary 22 donors, with the 

Livery Committee donating the remaining two panes. I 

have been overwhelmed by the generosity of the donors 

and surprised by the speed with which I secured 

commitments for the complete set of panes. The artists 

were given a comprehensive brief, prescriptive in the 

basic “structural” lead design and that of the cartouche, 

to promote cohesion across the windows, but allowing 

freedom of artistic expression in the central main panel of 

the pane. 

There have been a number of problems to overcome. 

The current back lighting of the windows is inadequate 

and not matched from window to window and is going 

to be replaced with the very latest LED lighting sheets. 

The right hand window is very much older than the left 

and the measurements are not consistent nor the corners 

at right angles. Would the frames take the weight of the 

leaded panes? We have been assured that they will. 

The Covid pandemic has slowed progress on the 

project. However, one small positive outcome of the 

pandemic is that it will give us the opportunity to install 

new back lighting and all the panes in one process rather 

than piecemeal with multiple upheavals. Unless a miracle 

happens, I believe this is unlikely to happen until next 

year, (ie 2021). 

The donors chose their plant and agreed it with me, to 

ensure there were no duplications, and then chose their 

artist. The artists then submitted a “sketch” to be agreed 

by the donor and by William and me to ensure the donor 

was happy and that there would be no glaring misfits 

among the panes. 

At the time of writing (late August 2020), 12 of the 24 

panes have been completed and the remaining 12 are 

being worked on. The positioning of the panes and 

overall design of the windows have evolved as the 

individual pane designs have come in. Below I have set 

out the panes for which I have sketches or photos, either 

as a black and white sketch, a coloured sketch, the final 

glass design but not yet leaded or a photo of the 

completed (but not back lit) pane. I have also given a 

thumb nail sketch of the medicinal uses of each plant. The 

choice of plants for the windows is as exciting as it is 

diverse. 

The choices are:- 

Foxglove 

Donated by William Shand. The plant 

has powerful diuretic properties. 

Digitalis is derived from the plant and 

used in congestive cardiac failure and 

dysrhythmias especially atrial 

fibrillation and atrial flutter. 

Donated by the staff of the Clerk’s 

Office. The fruit has been used in the 

treatment of cancer, osteoarthritis and 

other diseases. It has been used in 

natural and holistic medicine too to 

treat sore throats, coughs, urinary 

infections, digestive disorders, skin 

disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, and to 

expel tapeworms. 

Pomegranate 

24

Donated by Sir Peter Dixon and his 

sister Christine Dixon in memory of 

Lady Judith Dixon. It has been used for 

joint pains and muscle aches. It is very 

effective for reducing inflammation. It 

has been used for treating typhoid, 

rheumatic fever and rheumatoid 

arthritis. 

Donated by Tim and Vicky Philp. With 

its anti-inflammatory properties, this 

plant was traditionally used to treat 

fevers, migraines, rheumatoid arthritis, 

stomach aches, toothaches, insect bites, 

dysmenorrhea and labour pains. 

White Bryony 

Donated by Ajay Aggarwal. This plant 

lowers inflammation and free radical 

damage, reduces conjunctivitis, has 

natural antiseptic properties, is useful 

(as calendula cream) for burns, skin 

rashes and healing, reduces haemorrhoid 

pain, cramps and spasms and 

naturally repels insects. 

Deadly Nightshade 

Marigold 

Donated by Luise Parsons Though a 

deadly poison, it is used as a mydriatic 

and cycloplegic, a pain reliever, muscle 

relaxant, an anti-inflammatory and was 

used as a treatment for whooping 

cough and hay fever. 

Donated by Michael Farthing and 

Alison McClean. Aspirin is derived 

from willow bark. The antiinflammatory 

properties of the bark 

were used for pain relief especially 

back pain, osteoarthritis, headache, 

Willow 

bursitis and tendinitis. Extract of the 

bark is useful for skin irritation and the 

antibacterial properties help in acne vulgaris. It is a mild 

blood thinner and has been used to prevent recurrent 

transient ischaemic attacks. 

25 

Donated by Claudia 

Feverfew Moore-Gillon. The 

bulbs, leaves and 

flowers are astringent and powerfully 

emetic. The bulb especially is narcotic 

and depresses the nervous system. It 

has been used in the treatment of 

hysterical affections and even epilepsy 

with some effect. Despite serious safety 

concerns, people take daffodil for 

whooping cough, colds, and asthma. Wild Daffodil 

They also take it to cause vomiting. 

Some people apply a piece of cloth spread with a daffodil 

bulb preparation (plaster) to the skin to treat wounds, 

burns, strains, and joint pain. 

White Rose 

Donated by John Schofield. (Finished 

glass but not yet leaded). Rose petals 

are mildly sedative, antiseptic, antiinflammatory, 

and anti-parasitic. 

They're also mild laxatives, a good 

“tonic” for the heart, and good for 

lowering cholesterol. The antiseptic 

nature of rose petals makes them a 

wonderful treatment for wounds, 

bruises, rashes, and incisions. 

Donated by the travellers to Venice in 

Celia Palmer’s group of 2019. The fresh 

root of this plant possesses diuretic, 

emetic and cathartic properties. In 

large doses it will lead to nausea, 

vomiting, purging and colic. It used to 

be used in the treatment of bronchitis, 

diarrhoea and dropsy. “Elysian” 

because it was believed that Iris, (the 

Elysian Wild Iris

Goddess), could lead the souls of dead women to the 

Elysian Fields – Elysium. The wild iris was an ingredient 

of theriac (or theriaca), a medicinal concoction first made 

in the1st Century AD by the ancient Greeks. It was an 

“alexipharmic” or antidote and considered a panacea for 

almost any ailment. 

Donated by the Livery Committee. The 

earliest recorded use of lavender dates 

back to ancient Egypt. The flower and 

the oil of lavender are used to make 

medicine. Lavender is commonly used 

for anxiety, stress, and insomnia. It is 

also used for depression, dementia, 

pain after surgery, and many other 

conditions. Lavender oil is believed to 

have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory 

properties, which can help to heal 

minor burns and insect bites. 

Lime 

Donated by Roy Palmer. It has been 

known for centuries to prevent scurvy 

as it is high in vitamin C (and other 

vitamins). It rejuvenates skin, improves 

digestion, boosts immunity and fights 

infection, helps with weight loss, 

lowers blood sugar, reduces heart 

disease, helps in the prevention of 

some cancers and reduces 

inflammation. It is high in antioxidants, 

potassium and magnesium. 

Donated by Jane Carey-Harris. The 

plant's medicinal value lies primarily 

in its anti-inflammatory properties. The 

dried flowers are used to make 

medicine. People take cornflower tea to 

treat fever, constipation, water 

retention, and chest congestion. They 

also take it as a tonic, bitter, and liver 

and gallbladder stimulant. Women 

take it for menstrual disorders and 

vaginal yeast infections. 

Lavender 

Cornflower 

26 

Leek 

Donated by Jonathan Holliday. Leeks 

boast a variety of nutrients and 

beneficial compounds that may 

improve your digestion, promote 

weight loss, reduce inflammation, fight 

heart disease, and combat cancer. In 

addition, they may lower blood sugar 

levels, protect your brain, and fight 

infections. 

Donated by the travellers to Venice in 

Celia Palmer’s group of 2019. Saffron is 

a powerful anti-oxidant and may 

improve mood and depressive 

symptoms, may have cancer fighting 

properties, it can reduce the symptoms 

of PMS, is used as an aphrodisiac, 

reduces appetite and is therefore an aid 

to weight loss and is easy, (if 

expensive), to add to one’s diet. 

Donated by Robert Bethel. Shamrock is 

recognized for its benefits as a blood 

thinner, hindering atherosclerosis, thus 

helping to prevent heart attacks and 

stroke. Its anti-inflammatory properties 

help reduce arthritic pain. As an 

antioxidant, the isoflavons are a potent 

chemical compound that neutralises 

free radicals in the body, aiding in 

prevention of premature ageing, relief 

Shamrock of menopausal symptoms and lowering 

cholesterol. As a gargle, shamrock 

can help calm sore throats 

and mouth ulcers. 

Donated by Peadar O’Mórdha. The oak 

tree has a long history of medicinal use. 

It is anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, 

astringent, decongestant, haemostatic 

and tonic. A decoction of the bark is 

useful in the treatment of chronic 

diarrhoea, dysentery, intermittent 

fevers and haemorrhages. Externally it 

Saffron 

Sessile Oak

is used to bathe wounds, skin eruptions, sweaty feet and 

piles. It is also used as a vaginal douche for genital 

inflammations and discharge, and also as a wash for 

throat and mouth infections. 

Thorn Apple 

Donated by Derek Adams. Thorn apple 

is a bitter narcotic plant that relieves 

pain and encourages healing. Leaves, 

flowering tops and seeds are anodyne, 

anti-asthmatic, antispasmodic, 

hallucinogenic, hypnotic, mydriatic 

and narcotic. It acts similarly to 

belladonna though without 

constipating. 

Donated by Celia Palmer in memory of 

Michael Pugh and William Scott. In 

herbal medicine, the petals and fruit 

(rosehips) of the rose are used. Rose 

petals are mildly sedative, antiseptic, 

anti-inflammatory, and anti-parasitic. 

They're also mild laxatives, a “tonic” 

for the heart, and good for lowering 

cholesterol. The antiseptic nature of 

rose petals makes them a good 

treatment for wounds, bruises, rashes, 

and incisions. 

Apothecary Rose 

At the time of writing, I have not received any 

sketches or photographs of the finished panes for the 

remaining five panes which follow. 

Milk Thistle Donated by the Livery Committee. Milk thistle 

has been used in the treatment of liver conditions, and is 

claimed to promote skin health, reduce cholesterol, help 

with weight loss, reduce insulin resistance, improve 

allergic asthma, limit the spread of some cancers and 

support bone health. 

for adrenal insufficiency, for "blood purification”, as a 

diuretic, to prevent inflammation of the lungs, as a 

sedative, and to promote sweating. 

Poppy Donated by Janet Payne in memory of her husband 

Leslie. Poppy extracts have traditionally been used to 

relax smooth muscle tone, making them potentially 

useful in the treatment of diarrhoea and abdominal 

cramping. The extract has been used as a sedative 

analgesic and antitussive. Poppy seed oil is used as a 

vehicle for chemotherapy delivery and to diagnose 

fistulae. 

Purple Coneflower Donated by Nicky Whatley. Purple 

coneflower was and still is a widely used medicinal plant 

of the Plains Indians. It was used as a painkiller and for a 

variety of ailments, including toothache, coughs, colds, 

sore throats, infections, wounds, ulcers, skin infections 

and an anti-venom for snake bites. It is an immune 

system booster and an anti-depressant. 

Peony Donated by Mike Spencer. The main health benefit 

of peonies is their ability to help heal inflammation, 

especially according to traditional Chinese medicine, 

where it has been used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, 

systemic lupus erythematosus, hepatitis, dysmenorrhea, 

muscle cramping, spasms and fever. 

By pure serendipity and allowing a little poetic 

licence, we have arrived at “unionist” windows. We have 

the thistle of Scotland, the shamrock and sessile oak of 

Ireland, the leek and the daffodil of Wales and the red 

rose of Lancaster and white rose of York for England. 

This was not planned! 

I hope that like me, all Apothecaries are looking 

forward to the successful completion of this project and 

seeing the Parlour Windows in their full glory. 

Unfortunately we will have to wait a little longer but the 

end is coming in to view! 

Dr Mike Spencer 

Chairman of the Livery Committee 2016 - 2018 

Borage Donated by Peter Tooley. Borage flower and leaves 

are used for fever, cough, and depression. It is also used 

27

Livery Committee Chairman’s 

Report 2019-2020 

The start of the Livery Committee year followed the 

traditional calendar of the AGM and the Carol Service. 

The lead up to these had been challenging for me with 

the death of my husband, Tim, only three days before. 

Having nursed him throughout 2019, I was grateful to 

have key social events in my diary and the kindness of 

my Committee colleagues, and Court members was 

exceptional. I, like many, looked forward to a busy year 

ahead. 

Prior to the AGM, Sean Kibbey organised a visit to St 

Joseph's Hospice on 25 November 2019. This had been 

arranged following a luncheon at The Old Bailey when 

staff from the hospice were guests. Court Assistant 

Peadar O’Mordha and I represented the Society at this 

lunch and were asked by Tony McClean, Chief 

Executive of the Hospice, to encourage visits by the 

Livery to “The City’s Hospice”. Sadly this visit was not 

well supported by Society members so the Guild (now 

Company) of Nurses were invited to join us. The small 

group were welcomed by Tony and the Director of 

Clinical Services, Jane Naismith, both of whom are 

Freemen of the Company of Nurses. 

The Hospice celebrated its centenary in 2020 and by 

way of introduction Tony presented a broad and very 

interesting overview of the history of the Hospice as well 

as highlighting some additional facilities within the complex. 

The visitors were shown these facilities on a guided 

tour later. Jane then told the participants about the work, 

aims and values, both within the hospice and the outreach 

community programmes that are in place. Much of this 

outreach work is undertaken by volunteers. The Hospice 

serves some nine boroughs of London including the City 

of London but accepts patients from further afield. 

Referral methods are as one would expect but patients can 

also self refer. As the largest Hospice in the country they 

receive about 56% of their funding from the NHS and rely 

heavily on fundraising and legacies for the remainder. 

An illuminating tour of the premises was undertaken 

which included viewing two wards, one newly 

refurbished to an impressively high standard and the 

other equally as good in that both wards catered not 

only for the needs of the patient but also for family and 

friends. The equipment too was in some cases "state of 

the art" and was purchased from monies raised by 

fundraising. Following the tour the group were invited 

to an afternoon tea where some discussion continued - a 

very pleasant way to end a successful, informative and 

heartwarming visit. Although there was no cost for the 

visit all who attended contributed to a donation that 

was given to the Hospice on our departure. 

At the Livery Committee AGM I was delighted to 

announce that Debbie Malins was ratified as the new 

Honorary Secretary, following the resignation of Nicky 

Whatley due to pressure of work. We said farewell to 

Colin Gillespie, Celia Palmer, the late Frank Wells and 

Simon Bailey. These members had given sterling 

support to the Committee over the years and special 

mention must be made of Simon and Frank who both 

served as Honorary Secretary and Chairman in the past. 

Frank’s health gradually deteriorated over the 

following months and we were saddened to hear of his 

death in July. Frank had a varied career and was a loyal 

and committed Apothecary until the end. Indeed Frank 

was instrumental in The Court amending their rules 

which barred those of a certain age becoming a Court 

Assistant. He had become a good colleague to many at 

the Society and a personal friend to others, and is sadly 

missed. I was honoured to represent The Society at his 

funeral and meet his close family and friends again. 

However the Committee moves on and we were 

delighted to welcome Dilip Joshi to the Committee, and 

pleased that one of our Yeomen representatives, Emma 

Dalton, had asked to join the committee as a Liveryman. 

It is refreshing to have a junior doctor in our midst: 

28

Emma keeps us all grounded about the realities of 

working in the NHS and juggling work, home and social 

interests. I hope that there other younger members of 

the Society who may wish to join us. Other members 

of the Committee agreed to extend and Chris Khoo and 

Vanessa Jenkins rejoined. Chris, as many of you are 

aware, organises the excellent overseas trips each year 

and we are very grateful for all the effort he puts into 

these. 

Following the AGM it was time for Apothecaries, 

guests and members and staff to gather at St Andrewby-the-Wardrobe 

Church to enjoy the Annual Carol 

Service. This was coordinated by John Jolley. The 

Venerable Luke Miller, Archdeacon of London, 

conducted the service and everyone enjoyed the singing 

of the Stellae Cantores choir and the music played by 

the organist Paul Gobey. 

After the service over one hundred members of the 

congregation retired to Apothecaries’ Hall where they 

enjoyed an excellent reception and buffet dinner 

prepared by Party Ingredients. Despite the extensive 

advertising, many of the newly admitted Yeomen were 

not aware that they would be very welcome at this event 

and we hoped that more members of the Society would 

be able to come to the next Carol Service. Like all, we 

had expected this to be in December 2020, more on this 

later. 

Apothecaries enjoying lunch and conversation at The Reform Club 

Apothecaries enjoying their day at at The Reform Club 

The New Year started on a positive note. We were 

privileged that John Schofield facilitated a very 

interesting trip to the Reform Club in Pall Mall in 

February. Apothecaries were met by the Honorary 

Archivist, Dr Peter Urbach, who took them “Around the 

Club in 80 Minutes”. The Clubhouse is known to many 

as the start and finish of Phileas Fogg’s epic journey, as 

laid out in the well-known book published by Jules 

Verne in 1872. Fogg makes a wager of £20,000 (roughly 

£2 million today) with members of the Club that he can 

circumnavigate the world in 80 days or less. On the day, 

all bets were off, and Peter began by explaining the 

political scene in the 1830s. 

The Reform Club was founded in 1836 in Pall Mall, 

right in the centre of what is often called London's 

Clubland, and next door to the Tory Carlton Club. 

Membership was restricted to those who pledged 

support for the Great Reform Act of 1832, and the many 

MPs and Whig peers among the early members 

developed the Club as the political headquarters of the 

Liberal Party. 

29

The Club’s founders commissioned the leading 

architect of the day, Sir Charles Barry, to build an 

imposing and palatial clubhouse. It is one of the finest 

Victorian buildings in the country, an architectural 

masterpiece that has remained largely unchanged since 

it was completed in 1841. Externally the Reform Club 

bears a distinct resemblance to the Palazzo Farnese 

which was completed by Michelangelo in 1589, and 

which Barry had studied closely. Barry brought his 

genius to bear in adapting and improving on the Italian 

design. 

Peter conducted the group from the Grand Saloon to 

the Exhibition Room celebrating 150 years of the 

Political Society, via the Card room where a live 

drawing class was in progress. They moved to the 

Smoking Room (where no smoking is allowed), and 

were met by Mr Simon Blundell, the Club’s full-time 

librarian. Simon explained the origins of the 80,000 

strong collection initially directed by Sir Anthony 

Panizzi, who became principal librarian to the British 

Museum in 1856. They were given the rare treat of an 

opportunity to handle a Shakespeare “First Folio”, one 

of a small number still in private (white gloved) hands. 

Next the group visited the Library, one of the most 

elegant rooms in London, and met Mr Anthony Capo 

Bianco who explained the painstaking and rather 

expensive conservation of the room which he had 

supervised just a few years before. Finally, into the 

Morning Room with the newly opened Hansard Bar, 

followed by the Coffee Room, the main dining room of 

the Club where coffee is not normally taken. 

The Reform Club is no longer associated with any 

particular political party, and now serves a purely social 

function. Exhausted but satisfied, the group stopped for 

a “social function”, and enjoyed a most convivial lunch 

around the central Club table in the Strangers’ room. 

Food, wine and conversation flowed freely. 

Following the success of the previous visit in 2018 

Omar Khan kindly arranged another visit to The Magic 

Circle in March 2020. Twenty seven participants arrived 

at the quaint, old fashioned and delightful building in 

Euston. After coffee, they were split into two groups, 

one attending the fascinating museum containing 

memorabilia from way back to the present day. The 

other group watched Chris Wood perform literally 

amazing close magic tricks. He left the group amused 

and dumbfounded and it really did put the magic back 

into magic even though they wanted to believe and 

knew intellectually that it was all sleight of hand! The 

groups then swapped over, after which they went to 

their theatre for a stand up performance which was 

equally absorbing. Apothecaries then retired round the 

corner for lunch in the airy “bridge” room at the top of 

the glass covered atrium of the RCGP. A lovely way to 

round off a delightful morning. 

Little did I realise that my second year as Chairman 

of the Livery Committee would take such an 

unexpected turn with the Covid-19 pandemic hitting us 

in the spring. I flew back from a skiing holiday in 

Austria early due to my Mother being admitted to 

hospital only to realise that my fellow skiers were on the 

last flight out of Austria before the “border was closed” 

and then the strange life of 2020 began. The Livery 

Committee had worked hard to arrange a really 

interesting programme of events for 2020 and beyond 

however the first few months entailed the organisers 

spending time postponing or cancelling some 

interesting trips. It is to their credit that they all did this 

without complaining about the time spent in organising 

things. Some committee members such as Emma and 

Eithne MacMahon continued to be busy in the NHS, 

others were shielding and some, myself included, busy 

caring for elderly relatives. 

The Master and Court Assistants encouraged the 

Committee to seek opportunities for Society members to 

meet in Covid secure environments once the national 

Castle Farm - Kentish lavender fields in all their glory 

30

lockdown was eased. And thus it was on a dry July 

Sunday July proved to be a special day for the Livery 

Committee: our first outing since the Covid-19 

lockdown. An article in a Kentish newspaper about 

Castle Farm near the pretty village of Shoreham in 

North Kent, was a prompt for me to contact the owners 

to arrange a visit to their lavender fields, the largest 

lavender farm in England. Caroline and William 

Alexander, the owners of the farm, were very helpful 

and offered us the opportunity to picnic in one of the 

fields with sole use of a marquee. Despite the short 

notice the trip was fully booked. 

Castle Farm - An introduction to the estate and the background to lavender 

farming by William Alexander, owner of the farm 

Our delightful visit was given an excellent start by 

William providing an interesting talk on why and how 

the family diversified into lavender growing. Although 

a committed and experienced farmer, William had 

obviously sought opportunities to make the farm viable 

and it now produces excellent essential oils which form 

the basis of many products in their shop (now well set 

up as a safe drive through facility). 

After the talk the 28 Apothecaries and guests 

(including a Past Master and a new Court Assistant) 

were able to enjoy a picnic prepared at short notice by a 

local caterer. In order to ensure safety these were 

provided in individual boxes (lavender coloured of 

course!) Many attendees enjoyed the opportunity to 

meet up with friends that they had not seen for weeks; 

indeed, three people mentioned that it was the first time 

that they had been out since March 2020. We then had 

the opportunity to walk through the field which was 

due to be harvested the following day. 

The feedback was excellent and all agreed that such 

simple events may be the way forward for the next few 

months so that our members, many in a high-risk age 

group, have the opportunity to go out, meet friends and 

enjoy the lovely British countryside. 

With the Livery Committee sponsoring a stainedglass 

panel of a lavender field in The Parlour, this trip 

was a perfect start to our new event calendar. We plan 

31

on making a return visit next year for a more structured 

tour and supper. Keep your eye on the website for 

details. Having mentioning the stained glass, I am 

grateful to Mike Spencer, the Immediate Past Chairman, 

for continuing to lead on this project on behalf of the 

committee. He has written an interesting article in The 

Apothecary which I encourage you to read. 

Kent was also the location for our second postlockdown 

outing. On a very windy August Saturday 19 

Apothecaries and their guests met at Chapel Down 

Vineyard. After coffee in the restaurant the group 

made their way outside to meet Tom, our enthusiastic 

and knowledgeable guide, for a tour of the vineyards 

and winery. They learnt about how the Bacchus, 

Chardonnay and other vines are grown on the more 

than 25 acres of land, hand-picked by largely locallybased 

seasonal workers, then pressed, fermented and 

bottled to produce award-winning wines. A sociallydistanced 

wine-tasting in the herb garden followed 

where Tom told the group more about the individual 

wines and they got to taste whether the wines lived up 

to their descriptions. 

As the rain started to fall Apothecaries retreated to 

The Swan, Chapel Down’s on-site restaurant, for a 

delicious and leisurely lunch overlooking the vines. All 

attending enjoyed the opportunity to socialise again and 

several made their way home with boxes of wine 

purchased from the winery shop. 

Having personally visited two other vineyards in the 

south east this summer, we have further ideas for 2021. 

As you may realise wine is becoming a theme in our 

outings! We are obviously not encouraging you to sit at 

home and drink all day however we do have plans for 

two virtual wine tastings in November and December 

2020. The latter will follow the 2020 Livery Committee 

AGM which is to be held on Zoom. 

In September, Dilip Joshi arranged a fascinating trip 

to St. Mary's Catholic Church in Clapham, South 

London, the attached monastery and Ace-of-Clubs (a 

charity for the socially deprived and homeless), 

followed by lunch in the monastery dining hall. Like 

one of the other attendees, former Mistress Apothecary, 

Victoria Moore-Gillon, I had walked past this church 

many times when I lived in London and had no idea 

what was behind the gates. Fr. Casper, the parish 

Rector, Fr. Richard, Provincial Superior, and Bro. Mike 

were in attendance. Fr. Richard gave a guided tour of 

the church and monastery including a room archiving 

many old and valuable books and a private chapel in 

which the priests celebrate mass. We saw many original 

features of the monastery built in 1895 with a highlight 

being the chapel’s ceiling which remains in pristine 

condition. We also visited a balcony connected to the 

church where we could see the congregation below and 

the roof terrace with excellent views across London. 

32

Ace-of-Clubs, founded 25-years ago, provides a hot 

meal daily, a bicycle club, and a computer room to help 

with IT skills and mock job interviews. There are also 

showering and clothes-washing facilities. Following the 

tour, we had pre-lunch drinks in the monastery gardens 

followed by a hot lunch in the dining hall. We were all 

given a photobook of St. Mary's signed by Fr. Richard as 

a parting gift. 

Having been informed that St Andrew-by-the- 

Wardrobe was not open for services, we planned for our 

Annual Carol Service to be held at St James 

Garlickhythe Church in The City. Yes, you are correct... 

this is not our normal Church however has the 

advantage of being experienced in holding Covid secure 

services which can be live streamed for those who are 

not able to attend in person. We are also fortunate that 

Mark Fox’s wife is a Clerk of another Livery Company 

with experience of this church. Mark joining the 

committee is definitely an example of “appoint one, get 

the wife free!”. Having made the initial plans, London 

was then put in Tier 2 alert and it was agreed that it 

Many welcomed the opportunity however four decided 

that continuing on the committee is not feasible. I will 

not have the opportunity to thank them face to face. 

However I would like to acknowledge the work put in 

by Wanda Jay, John Jolley, Luise Parsons and Robin 

Youngs. 

And now for the tasting 

would not be appropriate for the Livery Committee to 

encourage non essential travel into London. Flexibility 

in planning and mindset is the name of the game in 

2020, and plans were out in place in place for a 

Christmas themed talk on Zoom so there will still be the 

opportunity to “meet” albeit remotely. 

Due to the pandemic and the disruption to our 

planned events, we agreed that all Committee members 

would be offered the opportunity to extend for one year. 

A special thanks must be given to Debbie Malins 

who has been so adaptable, helping us with setting up 

the Zoom meetings and ensuring that the committee 

continues to function well. We are all looking forward to 

getting back to The Hall and enjoying the hospitality 

provided by a new Society caterer. Staff from Party 

Ingredients have always looked after us well and we 

were saddened to hear that the business was no longer 

viable. I am sure that the future caterer will do the same. 

If you wish to find out more about the 

Livery Committee or wish to get involved, please 

do not hesitate to contact me on 

jane.careyharris@btinternet.com. 

We hope to be have an interesting programme of 

events, either virtual or actual in Covid-19 safe 

environments until normal service can be resumed. So 

please keep a look out for our bi-monthly e newsletter 

and check the Society website for updates. I look 

forward to seeing in the near future. Meanwhile please 

stay safe and look after yourselves both physically and 

mentally. 

33

Curator’s Notes 

This year has naturally been much restricted by the 

closure of the Hall and the restrictions under Covid 19. 

Fortunately, technology has come to the rescue and with 

the help of our computer suppliers, ASAP, both Janet 

Payne our Archive Officer and I have been able to access 

all our electronic files remotely. This includes access to 

some photographs, records and register entries that have 

been previously copied and stored on the servers for one 

reason or another. With our new CALM database also 

available, we have at least been able to see what items we 

hold in the Collections 

and answer 

queries. 

As mentioned 

last year we now 

have new office space 

available, (provisionally 

entitled the Cecil 

Wall Room in honour 

of a previous Curator) 

and we were able to 

organise this area 

before lockdown was 

upon us. As well as a 

new office and workspace for the Collections and for the 

Friends of the Archives, we now store our comprehensive 

run of medical registers in there and are utilizing the 

additional space to store artefacts and books awaiting 

cataloguing. Additionally, following the reorganization of 

the Examinations department, and work by the Records 

Manager, we have in there a significant archive of historic 

examination material to catalogue. Pandemic permitting, I 

would hope that in the not too distant future we might 

look perhaps to a professional archivist to undertake this 

work. 

I have also kept up contacts with those with an interest 

in the Collection. These have of course included our 

Faculty President Briony Hudson and Sharon Messenger 

formerly of the RCGP, as well as with Catherine Walker, 

the new Museum Officer at the Royal Pharmaceutical 

Society. We have been also pleased to see Anna Simmons, 

well known to the archives, as the new course leader for 

the DHMSA and I look forward to our work becoming 

more integrated with the Society’s overall educational 

functions. As always, I am most grateful that the Friends 

of the Archives have maintained their interest and 

support, albeit with much curtailed activity due to the 

pandemic. 

Unfortunately tours of the Hall, the income from 

which is now being allocated to the Collection, have been 

curtailed for the time being. Similarly, during the 

pandemic we have not been able to welcome volunteers to 

help with various small projects. This pending work 

includes a little further cataloging of photographs, and 

some updating of our artefacts collection on the CALM 

database where minor errors have been noticed. We also 

have many interesting items to add that are presently 

stored in our cellars and are awaiting cataloguing. I hope 

to be able to undertake some of this work myself, and one 

or two volunteers 

were able to return to 

work in the Autumn 

to continue with 

archiving. One important 

addition to the 

Collection has been a 

portrait of Thedore de 

Mayerne, physician to 

James I who helped 

Gideon de Laune 

gain approval for a 

separate Apothecaries’ 

Society. Fittingly de 

Mayerne now hangs 

next to de Laune’s 

portrait on the 

landing. 

Throughout this period, I have been grateful to Janet 

Payne for her continued, if sometimes “remote” work on 

keeping queries answered and information provided. 

We sincerely hope that 2021 will see something of a 

return to normality. 

34

Faculty of Conflict and Catastrophe 

Medicine Report 

MISSION: This Faculty is committed to the support & promotion of the wider health 

community through the innovative pursuit of education, professional development and research 

in the field of Conflict and Catastrophe Medicine. 

It seems almost a lifetime since I last sat down to write 

my report for the Apothecary Journal. At the time of 

writing my piece for the 2020 edition, I don’t think I 

could have imagined the Apothecary Hall doors to be 

shut for the majority of this year and we would have to 

convert our course to a wholly online course almost 

overnight! The amazing thing is that I truly believe that 

we, as a Faculty AND a Society have shown how 

adaptable and versatile we can be. However, I don’t 

think we should take for granted that our many 

successes of 2020 are thanks to a handful of very 

committed and hard working people who showed their 

tenacity and courage to make sure that we kept calm 

and carried on despite an unprecedented national 

lockdown and pandemic! 

I would like to start by thanking all the lecturers, 

members and students for their support during this 

time, special mention to: Tim Healing and Ken Roberts 

for their enthusiasm and commitment to ensure the 

successful transition to a virtual course, it was a step we 

always fought in the past as we all felt the face-to-face 

element of the course was one of its main strengths. 

However, very quickly with the realisation that we were 

not going to be able to continue our course in the normal 

format, the entire team who lecture on the course 

showed their true tenacity and willingness to adapt and 

we have successfully provided our course through 

recorded lectures, live common rooms where the 

students can ask questions around the topics with our 

lecturers and we have now successfully been able to 

perform a practical session over zoom for the first time. 

To prove that there are always silver linings this turn of 

events has made us rethink how we do the course, we 

have seen some of the advantages of using technology 

for some of the more theoretical aspects of the course 

and are going to review the possibility that we continue 

certain aspects as recorded lectures and keep the face to 

face element for a far more practical approach. We 

believe that this will improve the overall student 

experience for our future generations. 

35

Another very commendable initiative was Tim 

Healing’s resource list for our students and members. 

During these past few months there has been an 

enormous amount of publications around COVID19, 

some good and some, possibly, would have struggled to 

have been published during normal times! It was very 

difficult for doctors to keep up with the amount of 

information in the various journals and misinformation 

from the media. With Tim’s scientific experience and 

vast knowledge of disease and pandemic, he published 

a resource list that he regularly updated and many, have 

said (including myself) how helpful it has been to have 

a filtered list to refer to. 

36 

It was with great sadness when we realised we had 

to postpone our first Leslie Payne Memorial Lecture in 

May, we were looking forward to welcome David Nott 

to our Hall and also to commemorate a dear friend of 

our Faculty. We have postponed to May 2021 in the 

hope we can be together again in the Hall. However, we 

did manage to hold a virtual Audrey Few Lecture on 

11 November 2020. This was a truly poignant event, 

held on Remembrance day and also the centenary of the 

interment of the unknown warrior and the unveiling of 

the Cenotaph. To mark this very special day we were 

incredibly fortunate to have had Dr Jessica Meyer, 

Associate Professor of Modern British History at the 

University of Leeds, present a lecture titled “From no 

mans land to auxillary hospital: Evacuating the 

wounded in the 1 st World War”. For me, it was a step 

into the unknown to host such an event (and I did 

require a last minute reassurance from our Faculty 

Manager, Goldy, that it would work well) but the timing 

of this lecture was so perfect and the content so 

pertinent that we felt that the event was a true success 

and, as a consequence, we are hoping to hold further 

similar events. 

We are very excited in the Faculty as we have made 

the leap and embraced digital technology with 

reinforced vigour due to our new reliance of being able 

to connect virtually. We are in the process of 

developing a new platform for our Students, Alumni 

and members to connect, engage and keep up to date 

with activities both within our Faculty but also of some 

of our Partners. The platform will be called 

“FCCMConnect” and will be accessible to our Members 

and students so they can reach out for Mentorship on 

deployment, career progression and research they are 

undertaking, we will be able to alert them of job 

opportunities, courses and events that are of interest to 

anyone who has an interest in Conflict & Catastrophe. 

We hope this will bring a whole new element to 

becoming a member that reduces the reliance of our 

Members geographical location and a reason for people 

to continue their relationship with us beyond the Course 

and Diploma. We are due to launch this very exciting 

new initiative early in 2021. 

When people were still just talking about a new virus 

outbreak in Wuhan and there were the beginnings of the 

Global Community talking about a possible Pandemic

we were able to hold a joint symposium with World 

Extreme Medicine at the Hall. This was an excellent and 

engaging event called “Human Factors in Extreme 

Medicine”. A subject being talked about more and more 

within the medical profession during our day jobs but 

we wanted to explore it in the context of Medicine in 

austere environments. We had some amazing 

contributions on the academic as well as the practical 

aspects of this topic. Speakers included: Tracey 

Herlihey from Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch; 

Ben Watts, a senior paramedic and experienced 

Expedition Medic; Emily Meyhew, Imperial Lead, 

Paediatric Blast Injury Partnership; Sqn Ldr Jonny 

Hynes, talked about Human Factors in Military 

Aviation; Kirsten Amit from FMLM talked about 

Leadership; A trainee doctor, Matthew Walton and 

David Wightwick CEO of UKMED. This day 

highlighted the need for our organisation to continue to 

flourish and give our members a chance to explore 

topics such as this and inspire further research. I thank 

all those who attended and helped organised this event. 

I would like to finish my report by thanking the 

outstanding work of our Faculty Manager, Goldy Gullo. 

She has surpassed herself with her determination to 

keep the wheels turning during all that has happened 

this year, she has confronted all the challenges with 

professionalism and grace and has been an incredible 

support to me as I had to also face a good deal of 

uncertainty and challenges in my day job as an 

Emergency Medicine Doctor. She has even managed to 

continue her work whilst in lockdown on a television 

set! We are very fortunate to have her and she is an 

invaluable member of our team. I also wish to thank 

Maria Ferran, our Sister Faculty’s Manager, the Master 

and the Court for their continued support, as well as our 

new Registrar, Cornelius O’Boyle for continuing the 

good work that Jim Benson started to create a more 

cohesive Academic Department. 

I wish you all a safe and enriching 2021 where we 

will be able to continue to learn new skills as we have 

had to during this past year. 

Dr Christina Dale MBBS FRCEM 

President, Faculty of Conflict & Catastrophe Medicine 

37

Faculty of Conflict and Catastrophe 

Medicine Student Essay Prize 2020 

We are very pleased to announce a new Essay Prize 

which will be awarded to one of our current students of 

the Conflict and Catastrophe Medicine Course and will be 

published in the Apothecary Journal annually. 

This year we asked students to submit an essay which 

would demonstrate the impact of the Pandemic on 

healthcare workers. The Apothecary Editorial Committee 

were impressed with the essays submitted and there was 

a healthy discussion during the adjudication. The Essay 

Prize has been awarded to Safia Akhtar for her very 

heartfelt piece on her experiences during the pandemic. 

The reason that this Essay was chosen is that it documents 

some of the most striking aspects of the UK’s healthcare 

response to COVID19; it mentions how GP Practices were 

assessing patients in their car parks, Nightingale 

Hospitals as well as the realities faced by those that 

worked in hospitals such as the isolation faced by those 

dying without their relatives by their side, the physical 

consequences of proning patients and the various ways 

that the medical profession desperately try to maximise 

oxygenation when this new virus consumed the lungs of 

those afflicted. It also records the fact that so many 

seemed to be ethnic middle aged men who were some of 

the sickest in hospital which will, no doubt, be the subject 

of research in the future. It increases awareness on the 

moral injury faced by those making the difficult decisions 

when faced with a brand new virus and limited resource. 

On a happier, note it reveals how far we have come over 

the last nine months and we now have very real advances 

that have changed the management of these patients. 

We believe that future Apothecaries reading this piece 

will get a good flavour of the pandemic we faced in 2020 

in comparison to historical pandemics, we hope you agree. 

Dr Christina Dale MBBS FRCEM 

President, Faculty of Conflict & Catastrophe Medicine 

“I’LL TAKE SOME TIME”. An answer I found myself 

repeatedly giving to questions from patients, colleagues 

and friends. Rather a “longitudinal” response 

accounting for an extended period of time, as I had just 

completed a Masters in Tropical Medicine studying 

epidemiology. Months earlier whilst completing field 

research, I had been offered roadside pangolins and 

bushmeat on my daily commute in central Cameroon, 

and here we had a novel zoonotic disease on my 

doorstep. I felt obliged to participate in the pandemic 

response. 

There was shrill excitement amongst peers in the 

global community. We had studied for such an event, 

that would require core public health principles to be 

applied on an international level. The amount of 

unrefined information being shared was remarkable. 

Opinions shouted over each other in a quest for 

attention, paralleled by the media’s attempt to sustain 

noise. Enough to give one a headache, which it did, so I 

muted most sources. 

In contrast, my patients in primary care were 

desperate for information. The hinderance in giving it 

38

was firstly that the evidence from the scientific journals 

was not robust and secondly, misinformation was 

evident throughout the media. Anxiety had to be 

managed predominantly with communication, and we 

had to consider the perceived risk, and to make shared 

decisions with patients. In London some boroughs set 

up GP COVID-19 Hubs, for self-isolating patients 

requiring medical attention to be seen face-to-face. I’d 

approximate that for every three hour shift I worked, 

one patient was ill enough to be admitted to hospital. A 

middle-aged gentleman collapsed in the car park. He 

was weak. We measured his oxygen saturation level at 

66%, we gave oxygen immediately and called an 

ambulance. The senior GP had a conversation urgently 

with the patient’s daughter-in-law, explaining the 

prognosis was poor. She was distraught, she already 

had relatives who had succumbed to the disease. This 

was my first insight to the multi-generational 

consequences of the virus. 

Whilst working on the Geriatrics ward in a tertiary 

care hospital I scrolled through the Intensive Care list, to 

get a grasp of the demographic of patients requiring 

ventilation namely, ethnic middle-aged men. I hovered 

back up to a particular name. It was the gentleman from 

the hub. I was relieved to hear he was being discharged 

soon. Amongst the successes, during the peak, it was 

heartbreaking to keep vulnerable, elderly patients (due 

to infection control ‘no visitor’ policies) from their loved 

ones to die in fear, isolated, with hardly anyone to listen 

except staff who are merely eyes peeking above a mask. 

The ability to emote and empathize was diminished. 

CPAP machines and ventilators were limited, and 

Consultants had to make painful resource allocation 

decisions. The front-line workforce was subject to 

systematic factors causing moral injury (psychological 

distress resulting from actions violating one’s beliefs, 

values or ethical codes). 

If felt like the systematic and logistical factors were 

what diverged the workforce from saving lives. At the 

time, I found comfort that this catastrophe wasn’t 

anthropogenic, as there was evident social cohesion on 

the ground. Many would relieve the weight of others’ 

tasks, as the staff hierarchy flattened. Projected 

psychological stressors had been noted at induction to 

the Nightingale hospital, essential for the domestic and 

healthcare assistant staff, who nobly volunteered 

despite many of them never working in a clinical setting 

before. It felt like a novelty, roaming around a 

convention centre which mimicked an airport terminal, 

on our breaks. Reality hit inside the boardroom, 

fashioned into an intensive care unit, with patients’ 

bodies intertwined with tubes and machinery. Many of 

their faces swollen and sore from proning (positioning 

the body to lie flat on the stomach, to enhance dorsal 

lung air entry maximising oxygenation potential). In the 

early morning hours, we would theorise whether 

clinical features were due to the virus or just the fact the 

physiology of these patients were pushed to their very 

extreme, as noted on blood gases often showing values 

incompatible with life. Looking up, the corrugated 

silver roof extended beyond my visual field, I felt 

grateful that the units beneath were not required for use. 

Weeks on, I am grateful for a hiatus to spend time 

with someone I share beliefs and goals with, who visited 

with impeccable timing. He is a mirror that I reflect back 

in (comprised of loyalty, empathy and courage), 

allowing recognition of areas to address and the 

furthering of accomplishments. Writing this now, 

working in the Paediatric Emergency Department, the 

virus is attending in a polite manner most recently, 

found incidentally in a teenager with an ankle fracture 

and amongst positive parents accompanying their 

feverish child. The political climate suggests unrest, and 

more time required. But scientific research has already 

offered us medication breakthroughs (Dexamethasone 

and Remdesivir are now being used as standard-ofcare) 

and vaccine developments progress in record time. 

We remain reactive and endeavour more tools to be 

deployed to allow us to practice with grace. With time 

will we be able to answer questions of our close ones 

definitively? 

Safia Akhtar 

Conflict & Catastrophe Medicine (CCM) student 

GP Specialty Trainee doctor 

39

The Master’s Fund 

Never has our charity been more needed. This year 

has seen a huge decline in those jobs that medical 

students do whilst in their early years to pay their fees 

and feed and clothe themselves. The Master’s Fund 

supports one medical and/or pharmacy student at each 

of the medical schools in England and Wales. This year 

we were able to increase each award to £1500. 

A recent email from a student who qualified last year 

said ‘your grant helped me through a difficult patch and 

I am beginning my first job. I hope to become an 

Obs/Gynae specialist and improve the provision of 

women’s healthcare in developing countries. The 

Society’s support meant a lot to me. If there is anything 

I can do in future to help the Society please let me 

know’. We are looking into ways in which we can 

supply some emotional support and well as financial. 

But every year there are very deserving candidates that 

we are not able to help. 

There is much good to report. Our membership 

donations have increased substantially. Following the 

highly successful opera evening just a year ago, which 

raised £11,000 we have had special donations from 

members – one sent a cheque following a win from The 

Society’s Lottery. Another delivered a donation after 

hearing the talk from a Tim Baker, a recipient of the 

Fund. We have received legacies. Audrey Tucker, 

amongst other bequests, left £800,000 to us. Her Will 

critically defined her wish that it be spent on The 

Society’s charity. So our income is from our donations, 

our inheritances, and the income generated by our 

investments. The investments are the product of 

members giving over the generations – some during life 

and some at death. 

I thank you for your interest in and giving to the 

charity. Over the last year or two members are talking to 

me much more about the charity. Please be in touch if 

you have any advice or can give any additional support. 

When we are allowed, we will have a further special 

event at the Hall – not only to fundraise but to promote 

the profile of the Master’s Fund and link its supporters 

together. My ambition is that in future we might be able 

to increase the individual support for each student and 

that we might sponsor more than one student per 

school. I trust you will continue with your regular 

annual gifts but also include us in your will. 

Dr Simon Bailey 

yeliabz@yahoo.co.uk 

07719373538 

40

Memories of Moscow - the Memoirs 

of a Medical Diplomat 

2021 will mark the 30 th anniversary of the demise of the USSR 

My wife Nahid and I, as Medical Attache, 

were posted to the British Embassy Moscow 

on three occasions in the 1980s, in the run up 

to the end of the Communist State. History 

was being made around us, and there were 

many 'straws in the wind,' showing the end 

was approaching. 

Prior to our first posting in 1983, we had 

made a private visit to Moscow and 

Leningrad to help us decide whether to 

accept the post. 

Our first experience of the working of the 

KGB occurred on leaving Pulkovo airport in 

Leningrad. We were accused of trying to take 

antiques out of the country and each 

separately partially strip-searched. My 

pocket diary was taken from me and several 

pages torn out, which the FSB are, doubtless, 

still trying to decode, as doctor's writing is well 

recognised as being illegible. 

The most interesting and testing medical problem I 

was faced with was the unexpected fall by the Lebanese 

Ambassador, from the third floor of the Lebanese 

Embassy, seriously injuring his brain on striking the 

marble floor. At his funeral in Archimandrite Niphon's 

Greek Orthodox Church the service was conducted in 

Russian, Greek, Arabic and French. Did he jump or was he 

pushed? 

In a lighter vein, Ambassador Cartledge's departure at 

the end of his tenure in Moscow was enriched by the 

procession along the railway terminal platform, led by 

the Press Attache, playing the Lament on his bagpipes. 

Misha Litvinov, son of Maxim, First Soviet Foreign 

Minister, was introduced to us. His son Pavel, had been 

sent to internal exile, after demonstrating in Red Square 

in 1968, at the time of the Russian invasion of 

Czechoslovakia. In 1988 Misha asked me to 

forward the BBC a tape prepared by Pavel's 

friends. 

Healthcare in the Soviet Union, in 

general, was at the level of UK healthcare 

thirty years previously. In some fields, 

however, such as eye surgery, trauma 

surgery and space medicine, they surpassed 

the rest of the world. 

Following the Armenian earthquake, in 

December 1988 several injured children were 

brought for treatment to a Moscow 

Childrens' Hospital and we established a 

Charitable Trust to assist the hospital - 

Tushinskaya Trust. Later, we opened the first 

School of Paediatric Nursing in Russia. 

Following the tragic death of our Patron, 

Princess Diana, we set up scholarships for 

young Russian and Kazakh paediatricians to attend 

GOSH as Clinical Observers for 3 months - awarding a 

total of 56 scholarships. 

Meanwhile the Soviet Union was starting to crumble. 

Gorbachev wishing to liberalise the society and the 

economy, within the confines of the Communist ideals, 

couldn't ensure that his political base was strong and 

secure enough to succeed. 

We saw many changes in the permitted cultural life. 

No longer did Socialist Realism determine the artists, 

theatre, opera, ballet and films the Russian people could 

view. Radio and television programmes by the late 1980s 

could show previously forbidden topics, such as 

prostitution, political dissent, religion and the economy. 

Opportunities increased to befriend Russians and we 

gradually began to understand their psyches and ways of 

thought. 

41

Friends of the Archives 

The Friends continue to support the Society’s Archive 

financially by raising funds for its conservation and also 

by undertaking research and cataloguing projects while 

working as volunteers. We work closely with the 

Curator, Past Master Nicholas Wood, who sits on our 

committee along with our 400 th gift Archivist from the 

Royal College of General Practitioners, Sharon 

Messenger. 

Money is raised by holding lectures and social 

functions. The Friends’ Spring lecture was given this 

year by Paul Jagger on The Treasures of the City Livery 

Halls. He has written the History of the Worshipful 

Company of Marketors and is on the Court of the 

Worshipful Company of Information Technologists and 

came highly recommended. Of course, he had a wealth 

of material to draw from (including our own Hall) and 

his book The City of London Freemans’ Guide was 

available for purchase after the talk followed by our 

usual wine reception. 

Our Summer Party in June that has been so popular 

in the past had to be cancelled along with many other 

events of the Society this year. We look forward to a 

revival in 2021. 

The lecture after the AGM this Society year was 

given by Victor Gray, Documenting a Dynasty: The story 

of the Rothschild Archive, its creation and surprising 

revelations. 

Victor Gray trained as an archivist after reading 

English at Cambridge. For the greater part of his career 

he managed and developed archives in both the public 

and private sectors. He was Director of the Rothschild 

Archive from 1993-2004, Chairman of the National 

Council on Archives from 1996 to 2001 then awarded an 

MBE for services to archives. He explained the family 

history of the Rothschilds with their many business 

interests and how he had been to the centres of their 

various activities to obtain archival material, ending up 

in the new OMA-designed glazed cube headquarters 

building in St Swithin’s Lane just behind Mansion 

House: New Court, the fourth iteration since the 

purchase of the site by Nathan Rothschild in 1808. 

The Friends continue to be active on Open House 

Day in September when members of the public visited 

the Hall and they too were able to appreciate the nature 

of the treasures possessed by the Society and supported 

by the Friends. 

We have published three newsletters during the year 

which amongst other things highlight the large number 

of people who seek information from the Society’s 

archives, a number of whom visit to research from the 

primary sources. This year, for example, we saw Zac 

Dormer’s work from 2013/14 culminating in publication 

of From Chelsea to Savannah: Medicines and the 

Mercantilism in the Atlantic World. ‘In 1732, the London 

Society of Apothecaries joined the Trustees for 

Establishing the Colony of Georgia in America in a 

scheme to establish an experimental garden in the 

nascent colony. This garden was designed to benefit the 

trustees’ bottom line, as well as to provide much-needed 

drugs to British apothecaries at a time of increasing 

overseas warfare.’ The Friends also facilitated the gift of 

a collection of material from the descendents of John 

Newsom who was Master 1814/15, the year the 

Apothecaries Act added the burden of becoming a 

medical licensing body to its other functions. Newsom’s 

first job was as a ship’s surgeon on the Fox, a merchant 

ship going to India, at £3 5s a month. Newsom kept a 

diary of his whole journey and included comments 

about native customs when he was there. That journal 

and its recent transcription was just part of the collection 

donated to the Archive. 

Our Christmas card for 2019 was from an image 

taken at the 400 th anniversary dinner at Guildhall. 

Remembering that special year, Past Master Charles 

Mackworth-Young donated a loose leaf copy of the 

anthem Heare us, O heare us, Lord which he 

commissioned from the composer Michael Berkeley for 

the Master’s Day Evensong, at St Paul's Cathedral. This 

42

has been bound for the Friends at Wyvern Bindery 

which sadly has now moved from Clerkenwell Road up 

to Hoxton Street. 

A previous year’s Christmas card of the Society’s 

Mirrh (sic) drug jar has been reprinted as a blank card to 

join our other blank cards of the Apothecaries’ Rose and 

the view of Black Friars Priory. Please write to the 

Secretary of the Friends if you wish to purchase these in 

aid of our funds. 

The ‘black guide’ to the Hall has been revised by the 

Friends and is back on sale at the same price as before; 

do buy a copy, just £5. It would make an excellent gift 

for someone who you wish to introduce to the Hall or 

the Faculty lectures. 

The new CALM data base system is now in use and 

proving its worth, and following the re-organisation of 

the Exams Office, the Friends now use the old 

photocopying room as its base, sharing the space with 

the expanding collections of the Archives. 

A major donation was made towards the production 

of the new book on the Hall’s stained glass written by 

Past Master Mr William Shand and former Clerk, Mr 

Andrew Wallington-Smith. 

We always need new members! If you have not yet 

joined, there is always a welcome for you and we would 

very much hope that if you are a member of the Faculty 

that you will also be a Friend of the Archives. Just £10 

per year for the Friends’ subscription. 

Contact: friends@apothecaries.org or write to the Hall 

Paul Simmons 

43

Society Contacts 

Website: www.apothecaries.org 

Society and Hall Administrative Office: 

Clerk: Nick Royle 

e-mail: clerk@apothecaries.org 

Deputy Clerk: Vicki Longhurst 

e-mail: deputyclerk@apothecaries.org 

Clerk’s Secretary: Roseanna Mulroe 

e-mail: clerksec@apothecaries.org 

Academic Department 

Academic Registrar: Jim Benson 

e-mail: registrar@apothecaries.org 

Examinations Officers: 

Maria Green 

e-mail: examoffice@apothecaries.org 

Jenny Draper 

e-mail: asstreg@apothecaries.org 

The Faculty of Conflict and Catastrophe Medicine 

President: Dr Christina Dale 

Deputy-President: Surg Cdre Adriaan Hopperus 

Buma RNIN 

Faculty Manager: Goldy Gullo 

e-mail: FacultyCC@apothecaries.org 

CONTACT DETAILS 

Address 

Apothecaries' Hall 

Black Friars Lane 

London EC4V 6EJ 

Telephone 

Clerk's Office: 020 7236 1189 

Academic Dept: 020 7236 1180 

Archives 

e-mail: archives@apothecaries.org 

The Friends of the Archives 

All enquiries to: 

e-mail: Friends@apothecaries.org 

The Faculty of the History and Philosophy of 

Medicine and Pharmacy 

President: Ms Briony Hudson 

Faculty Manager: Maria Ferran 

e-mail: FacultyHP@apothecaries.org 

DESIGNED, TYPESET AND PRINTED BY ABBEYSTAR PRINT SOLUTIONS LTD TEL 01702 483872 

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Apothecary 2020

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