Using a substance or any exogenous influence to self-administer treatment for physical or psychological ailments

concept

A man who has swallowed petroleum asks a pharmacist for a remedy; the pharmacist shows hims several bottles and lets him chose the one he prefers, with fatal results. Line block.

A man pulling a peculiar face as he is about to take some medicine. Coloured etching by I. Cruikshank, 1801, after J. Gillray.

A man standing by a fire place, pulling a peculiar face after taking some medicine. Coloured etching by J. Gillray, 1800.

A sick man mixing a dose of medicine for himself from a book. Mezzotint by H. Dawe, 1824, after M.W. Sharp.

A man standing by a fire place, pulling a peculiar face after taking some medicine. Coloured lithograph after J. Gillray.

A man standing by a fireplace, pulling a peculiar face after taking some medicine. Coloured etching after J. Gillray.

A man self-administering hydrotherapy, sitting outside in a barrel. Coloured lithograph.

A sick man with a cold. Coloured lithograph, 1833.

A young man removing a bandage from his hand, while an old woman offers him another; representing the sense of touch. Etching by G. Greux after D. Teniers.

The induction of sleep and insensibility to pain by the self-administration of anaesthetics / by John M. Crombie.

The induction of sleep and insensibility to pain by the safe self-administration of anaesthetics / by John M. Crombie.

Galleries and Reading Room

Library

Shop

Café

We're experiencing some technical problems in the library today. 

If you’re visiting us, you won’t be able to print or use our PCs or laptops. If you want to sign-up for a free library membership, we’ll give you a temporary card for today and complete your membership next time you visit.

You can access items from the collection as usual and our team is on hand to help. Thank you for your patience while we resolve these issues. 

We're running paid user research studies to improve Wellcome Collection online

Self Medication

Images from the collections

Images referencing Self Medication

Works from the collections

A sick man with a cold. Coloured lithograph, 1833.

The induction of sleep and insensibility to pain by the self-administration of anaesthetics / by John M. Crombie.

A man self-administering hydrotherapy, sitting outside in a barrel. Coloured lithograph.

A man pulling a peculiar face as he is about to take some medicine. Coloured etching by I. Cruikshank, 1801, after J. Gillray.

The induction of sleep and insensibility to pain by the safe self-administration of anaesthetics / by John M. Crombie.

Self Medication

Images from the collections

Images referencing Self Medication

Works from the collections

A sick man with a cold. Coloured lithograph, 1833.

The induction of sleep and insensibility to pain by the self-administration of anaesthetics / by John M. Crombie.

A man self-administering hydrotherapy, sitting outside in a barrel. Coloured lithograph.

A man pulling a peculiar face as he is about to take some medicine. Coloured etching by I. Cruikshank, 1801, after J. Gillray.

The induction of sleep and insensibility to pain by the safe self-administration of anaesthetics / by John M. Crombie.

Related topics