A tortoise can live to an extraordinary age, but how can we medically explain this amazing phenomenon? And how can shingles lie within our bodies for decades before rearing up to become a painful ailment?

<p>A tortoise can live to an extraordinary age, but how can we medically explain this amazing phenomenon? And how can shingles lie within our bodies for decades before rearing up to become a painful ailment?</p>

In Part One of each episode, Dr Frank will talk about a famous figure from history who suffered from an illness or had a disability. At that time, no-one knew or understood what may have caused the problem, or how to treat it - It was a mystery at the time. In Part Two of the episode, Dr Frank will discuss that same or similar illness or ailment in a modern-day context, and many times it has remained a mystery. Each two-part episode will be intriguing and informative.

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