A COURSE on the history of medicine starts next week.

The Workers’ Educational Association (WEA) is hosting the talks - called ‘Medicine - ancient to present day - at Maldon Saints YFC clubhouse in Park Drive, Maldon.

The course starts next Tuesday and continues for ten weeks until April 2.

Students can discover the development of medicine and public health through the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans through to the Middle Ages, Renaissance and 19th and 20th centuries.

Tutor Lucy Rawlinson said: “We will investigate how the impact of the church, beliefs in the four humours and the influence of Claudius Galen prevented progress in medicine, despite the Romans’ positive progress with their public health system.

“We will also be exploring reactions to the Black Death and the Great Plague, and will consider whether attitudes and approaches had improved from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance.

“Real breakthroughs were made in the 19th century, including the discovery of smallpox.

“We will study discoveries of key individuals and whether technological developments affected treatments.

“For the 20th century, the impact of penicillin, DNA and the creation of the NHS will be assessed.

“Throughout we will analyse why it took so long to reach the quality of medicine, care and public health that we have today.”

By the end of the course, students will be able to explain the Roman public health system, the progress of medicine thanks to Galen, the smallpox vaccine, the discovery of penicillin and the creation of the NHS.

The 90-minute sessions start from 2pm.

Course fees cost £54.75 and can be paid online.

For further details about the course, visit enrolonline.wea.org.uk.