Event Description
This one-and-a-half-hour Belfast history walking tour provides a comprehensive look at the city's medical history. It covers various aspects, including the first hospital in Belfast, Victorian anti-vaxers, the "insanity" caused by tea mania, the health hazards of consuming sewage-polluted seafood, and the adverse effects of working in linen mills.
The tour delves into the tragic stories of the Belfast Blitz, major health emergencies, pandemics, epidemics, and the devastating impact of poor housing, poverty, and inadequate diets on Belfast residents' health. Additionally, the tour highlights individuals who strove to improve the city's health, such as social activist Mary Ann McCracken, milk of magnesia inventor Sir James Murray, and revolutionary doctor William Drennan.
It's a fascinating introduction to Belfast's medical history, accessible to all, regardless of clinical expertise.