Medical Mysteries Series 5 - George Washington, and blood disorders

The American Founding Father and first U.S. President, was one of the great figures in history. He was also known to be in favour of blood-letting as a means of recovering from illness. This leads Dr Frank to discuss the topic of disorders of the blood.

Medical Mysteries, Series 5 - Alexander Graham Bell, and anemia

One of histories greatest inventors, this famous Scotsman invented the telephone (or did he?) and the phonograph, as well as some other remarkable achievements. Did Alexander Graham Bell really have the mysterious ailment of anemia?

Medical Mysteries, Series 5 - Jane Austen, and Addison's disease

This famous English novelist is the subject of Dr Frank's discussion here. Her six major novels are landmark publications, and she was a giant in English literature. However, did she really die from Addison's disease?

Medical Mysteries, Series 5 - Robert Liston, and the appendix

This British surgeon was renowned for his speed and efficiency at the operating table, at a time before anaesthetics. This leads Dr Frank onto one of the most common surgical procedures of today, but why do we have an appendix?

Medical Mysteries, Series 5 - Charles 6th of France, and schizophrenia

This French king provides Dr Frank with a story that seems so unlikely that could it possibly be true. However, the entire story could be explained by a diagnosis of "madness", today that would be labelled as schizophrenia.

Medical Mysteries, Series 5 - Lord Byron and addictions

One of histories great poets of the Romantic period of literature, the story of Lord Byron is a fascinating one. He had several illnesses, even a physical deformity, but did he have a particular addiction that would've been been frowned upon in his day?

Medical Mysteries Series 5 - the Sweating Disease of the Middle Ages, and Bruce Lee.

This strange disease caused mass superstition and paranoia, but Dr Frank tries to remove the mystery. And is the strange death of Bruce Lee somehow related?

Medical Mysteries, Series 5 - Elizabeth Barrett Browning, and scoliosis

A prominent English poet from the Victorian era, but she suffered from some mysterious illnesses. One such issue she had was back pain.

Medical Mysteries, Series 5 - James Parkinson, and muscle cramps

This English surgeon was the first to describe the chronic degenerative disorder that was eventually named after him.

Medical Mysteries, Series 5 - Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, and respiratory myoclonus.

Van Leeuwenhoek did pioneering work into microscopy, and the science of microbiology. But he also suffered from a very rare and mysterious ailment.