The Medicine in Film post highlights a range of feature films that include useful clips. TV offers a much larger list of programmes, series, documentaries etc that are of use. I’ve opted to ignore Historical Documentaries as they’re rather ‘obvious’ sources of content, so without any Shama, Starkey or Wood, here’s my ‘top five’ suggestions from the small screen:
1) The Simpsons, Henry VIII episode.
The court physician whips out a chart and explains where babies come from… its in the middle of one of the best sections of one of the best episodes of the Simpons and is brilliant on a number of levels. First up, the kids will love it. Perhaps more importantly, it does have a use! Despite the obvious use of humour on the part of the Simpsons creators, the clip provides a few clues about the beliefs of people at the time of Henry VIII and can be linked to a variety of ‘more sensible’ sources.
2) Blackadder. Series 2, Episode 4.
There are a few sections of this episode that could be useful (The creation of ‘purest green’ surely has a use!) but the clip of choice is where Edmund, whilst selling his home, is asked about the toilet facilities:
Mrs: Strange smell.
Edmund: Yes, that’s the servant; he’ll be gone.
Mr: You’ve really worked out your banter, haven’t you?
Edmund: No, not really. This is a different thing. It’s spontaneous and it’s called `wit’.
Mrs: What about the privies?
Edmund: When the master craftsman who created this home was looking at the sewage, he said to himself, “Romeo,” — for ’twas his name — “Romeo, let’s make them functional, and comfortable.”
Mr: Oh, well, that seems nice, doesn’t it, Dear!
Edmund: I think we understand each other, sir. So it’s sold, then. (goes to a pot and pours into a cup) Drink?
Mrs: (insistent for a real answer) What about the privies?
Edmund: (doesn’t give away either of the two cups he holds) Well, what we’re talking about in, erm, privy terms is the very latest in front-wall, fresh-air orifices, combined with a wide-capacity gutter installation below.
Mrs: You mean you crap out of the window.
Edmund: Yes!
Mrs: Well! In that case, we’ll *definitely* take it! (takes a cup from Edmund) I can’t stand those dirty indoor things.
3) Casualty 1906 (and I suspect Casualty 1907)
Ideal for putting things into context when beginning a study of the Liberal Reforms, Welfare State or for clips showing what hospitals were like in the era of the First World War.
4) Brainiac: History Abuse.
I’ve not seen this advertised for a while and fear that the Science abuse series may have become a permanent fixture. The History abuse series contains several amusing and relevant clips, urine tests being the most usable. The Science Abuse series has had one or two bits of interest in it, though nothing that I’d consider a ‘must.’
5) Tony Robinson’s the Worst Jobs in History.
Short and sweet clips. Some roles outlined in the series are very useful indeed – and those that aren’t ok for Medicine can always slot into KS3!
Others worthy of note:
Monty Python – Hospital
Mr Bean – In the hospital
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