Poster for Victorian Pharmacy

BBC Two 2010 1 season 4 eps Ended

Victorian Pharmacy

2010 1 season 4 eps

7.7

Season 1

No results found

Season 1

60 min

S1 · E1 · Jul 15, 2010

Episode 1 Episode 1

A look at the world of the pharmacy at the beginning of Queen Victoria's reign in 1837. In a unique experiment, historian Ruth Goodman, Professor Nick Barber and PhD student Tom Quick recreate an authentic 19th-century pharmacy. The team discovers the world of the pharmacy at the beginning of Queen Victoria's reign in 1837; a world where traditional remedies, such as leeches, oil of earthworm and potions laced with cannabis and opium, held sway. After sampling some of the old ways, the team ventures into new discoveries, such as the Malvern water cure, the bronchial kettle for curing coughs, and the invention of Indian tonic water.

8.0 · You

60 min

S1 · E2 · Jul 22, 2010

Episode 2 Episode 2

The team find out how the discovery of germs made disinfectants a bestseller. The team take on the challenges of the 1850s and 60s, a time when overcrowded and unsanitary living conditions had reached their peak, leading to unprecedented outbreaks of disease. 'Cure all' medicines that had promised to cure virtually everything were all the rage and the team make their own out of rhubarb, liquorice, soap and syrup. They also venture into the uncertain world of electrotherapy and find out how the discovery of germs made disinfectants a bestseller; but to make their own they need to extract carbolic acid from coal tar. Plus Tom attempts to emulate an ambitious Victorian publicity stunt by building his very own dog-powered mortar and pestle. But will it work?

7.9 · You

60 min

S1 · E3 · Aug 5, 2010

Episode 3 Episode 3

The pharmacy enters a period of new inventions and new laws, beginning in 1868. The pharmacy enters a period of new inventions and new laws. In 1868 pharmacies were regulated by law for the very first time - and Ruth, Tom and Nick face a taste of the tough examinations pharmacists went through to become qualified. They also explore the world of poisons and hazards that were completely unregulated until this time - from arsenic and opium to explosives. But the lack of restrictions they had enjoyed enabled 'experimental chemists' to invent products ranging from matches to fireworks, to custard and jelly. The team learn the processes involved in each, and lay on a Victorian style firework display for their customers.

8.0 · You

60 min

S1 · E4 · Aug 12, 2010

Episode 4 Episode 4

The team continue with the pharmacy through to the end of the Victorian era. The last programme in the series sees Ruth, Tom and Nick continue with Barber and Goodman's Pharmacy through to the end of the Victorian era. Tom branches out into photography and dentistry using the latest technology, such as the foot-pedal dental drill. Ruth makes condoms out of sheep's intestines. Nick learns how to make the Victorian version of aspirin - producing a cure for warts and corns along the way. And for those customers who like a little pampering, the team turn their hands to making their very own brand of perfume. As they shut up shop for the last time, the team reflect on a revolution in public healthcare that put a chemist's shop in every town in the country.

8.2 · You

4 episodes in Season 1

Some details come from TheTVDB.

Victorian Pharmacy is a historical documentary TV series in four parts, first shown on BBC Two in July 2010. It was made for the BBC by independent production company Lion Television. It was filmed at Blists Hill Victorian Town in Shropshire. It is a historical documentary that looks at life in the 19th Century and how people attempted to cure common ailments. Since some of the ingredients of Victorian remedies are now either illegal or known to be dangerous, Nick Barber often uses his modern pharmaceutical knowledge to produce similar products without those ingredients. The other main presenters are Tom Quick, a PhD student, and Ruth Goodman, a domestic historian who also appeared in Tales from the Green Valley, Victorian Farm and Edwardian Farm.

Documentary Reality

Where to watch

Not streaming anywhere

Not on any streaming service in United States, and not available to rent.

Your rating

Your review

Cast

4 people

Ruth Goodman

Presenter

Also in

Victorian Farm Christmas

Tom Quick

Presenter

Stephen Noonan

Narrator

Also in

Henry VIII

Death in Holy Orders

Nick Barber

Presenter

Known for

The Spanish Princess

Colour Me Kubrick

Martin Kemp Director · David Upshal Executive producer

Director

Martin Kemp

Executive producer

David Upshal

Total runtime 4h 0m · Episode length 60 min · Type Miniseries

Show info

Premiered

July 15, 2010

Final episode

August 12, 2010

Status

Ended

Network

BBC Two

Country

United Kingdom

Type

Miniseries

Episode length

60 min

Total runtime

4h 0m

Original language

English

Production

L

Lion Television

Production

United Kingdom

Produced in

Languages

Spoken on screen

English

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Some details come from TheTVDB.

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