Special Exhibition 2025

‘Uncharted Dangers: Health at Sea and in Space’

Keeping men healthy at sea was a major problem for the Navy, whether conducting month-long blockades of the French coast, or undertaking lengthy voyages. Scurvy indeed has been called ‘the disease of discovery’.

The awareness of diseases and cures during the 18th century was marked by a blend of empirical observations, traditional remedies, and emerging scientific thought. Medical understanding at the time was significantly shaped by the theory of the four bodily humours, and also by the miasma theory which attributed diseases to 'bad air'; or environmental factors. While some diseases were accurately diagnosed, medical professionals misunderstood many others.

Ships surgeons in the Royal Navy, for instance, encountered common maladies like scurvy.

However, they did not comprehend the connection to deficiencies until vitamins were discovered in the 20 th century. Treatments often included a mix of herbal remedies, bleeding, and the use of various ‘tonics’. The era, nonetheless, saw progress in understanding contagious diseases and efforts to implement quarantine measures.

The focus was primarily on disease prevention strategies. The 18th century laid the groundwork for medical advances, but awareness of diseases and their cures remained a slow and complex development of traditional practices and emerging scientific insights.

As humanity enters a new phase of space exploration, the historical insights into medical challenges faced by sailors find some reflection again in the health considerations of space travel. We will be working with scientists from the Boulby Underground Physics Laboratory who are researching the medical aspects of supporting astronauts exploring Mars. We will examine the parallels between historical maritime medicine and the health implications of space exploration. These provide an interesting perspective on the evolution of healthcare practices in extreme and isolated settings. Through this exhibition, our goal is to stimulate curiosity and cultivate a greater understanding of the challenges confronted by those navigating uncharted areas.