Pioneer and Campaigner
Dr Francis Anstie, 1833-1874
Display No. 72
Dr Francis Anstie was a workhouse doctor, also known for publishing the theory of the ‘Anstie’s limit’. He proposed that 1.5 ounces of alcohol could be consumed daily with no ill effects: this is approximately 1 pint of beer or 2 shots of gin.
He was passionate about public health and advocated for the well being of poor people in work houses and infirmaries. Nightingale regarded him as the best workhouse doctor of his time.
Portrait of Francis Edmund Anstie. Credit: Wellcome Collection. CC BY 4.0
Exhibits from ‘Pioneer and Campaigner’
Discover the 200 Exhibits
Nightingale is respected worldwide for her pioneering role in developing the nursing profession, her statistical work, and her evidence-based approach to healthcare. In honour of her bicentenary the World Health Organisation have named 2020 the Year of the Nurse and Midwife.
In our special exhibition, you will find out about objects, people and places which tell interesting stories about Florence’s life and legacy. You’ll discover artefacts from her life, people she both inspired and challenged, and places she helped to shape. There’s many more insights too!
Please click on the different sections of her famous coxcomb diagram to explore various aspects of her life and legacy. We hope you enjoy exploring!