The Puzzle of Blackening Lungs in Victorian Britain

Date(s): 21 January 2020

Time: 7pm

Cost: £3

Booking Link: https://blackeninglungs_shm.eventbrite.co.uk

When physicians began carrying out regular autopsies in the 18th century, they noticed that the lungs of young people were pink but the older people got the blacker their lungs became. The mystery rumbled on for years and by the 19th century all sorts of explanations had emerged, but what was the real cause?

The mystery was finally solved in 1813 by George Pearson, a graduate of Edinburgh University's Medical School.

Join our Senior Research Fellow, Professor Ken Donaldson, as he discusses the mystery of the Victorian lung.

The talk will last approximately one hour and the museum will be open until 9pm for ticket holders only.