1 He was physically fit, described by Giustinian, the Venetian Ambassador to the English Court as: ‘… the handsomest potentate I ever set eyes on above the usual height, with an extremely fine calf to his leg, his complexion very fair and bright with auburn hair combed straight and short in the French fashion, and a round face so very beautiful that it would become a pretty woman, his throat being rather long and thick’. Henry enjoyed rude health during his early years, suffering only a bout of smallpox (1514) and occasional malaria, which was endemic in the English marshlands at that time (1521 onwards). 1 Much of this information would have been based on pronouncements by the King's physicians and surgeons. Henry's medical history is documented, not by his personal physicians or surgeons (most notably Sir William Butts, Thomas Vicary, Dr Chambre, Dr Owen and Dr Clement who either did not keep records – probably for their own safety – or whose case-notes have been lost or destroyed), but within State Papers and contemporaneous letters of the time, particularly the despatches sent from the English Court by foreign ambassadors reporting the state of the King's health to their own governments. The personal medical history of Henry VIII And devised at Grenwich to take away inflammations and to cease payne and heale ulcers called gray plaster.’ 5 Henry also personally prepared medicines in the form of salves and ointments from compounds such as ground pearls and white lead for the treatment of his friends and, later, for himself: 6 ‘An Oyntment devised by the kinges Majesty made at Westminster. 4 Guided by Sir Thomas More, the Under-Sherriff of London, Henry presided over great improvements in public health installing public water supplies and sewers, and implementing segregation and crude disinfection during epidemics of plaque and sweating-sickness. His administration passed seven separate Acts of Parliament aimed at regulating and licensing medical practitioners, legislature that required no further amendment for 300 years. He founded the Royal College of Physicians in 1518 2 and amalgamated The Barbers Company of London and the Guild (or Fellowship) of Surgeons to form the Company of Barber-Surgeons 3 in 1540 ( Figure 1). Henry himself was keenly interested in medicine. Five hundred years later, with the advent of vascular surgery and a modern understanding of the factors inherent in ulceration, it is also possible to reconsider the underlying aetiology of his leg ulcers. 1 While the changes in his character undoubtedly mirrored the pressures and political machinations of the day, it is interesting to reflect on the impact that persistent ulceration would have had on his life, personality and political administration. However, over the course of his 38-year reign, he underwent a dramatic personal metamorphosis to become a despotic, cruel and tyrannical sovereign, vile of temper and cursed by his deteriorating health and his ‘ sorre legge’. Henry was a fascinating character: initially blessed with good looks and stature tremendous sporting prowess a renaissance scholar revered by his subjects as ‘Bluff King Hal’. Let the plaster dry thoroughly (about four hours) before applying the next coat.In 1509, at the age of 18 years, Henry VIII ascended the throne of England and the recent 500th anniversary of this event has prompted a resurgence of interest in his life, politics and health. Clean off the trowel from time to time to keep dried plaster from getting into your finish. Let some of the original wall surface show through in spots, but keep the surface reasonably smooth. Spread the plaster with strokes that vary in length and angle.ĭon't worry about covering every square inch evenly. Apply a thin coat of plaster while holding the trowel at a 15- to 30-degree angle to the wall. Starting at a corner of the room, apply the plaster to the surface using a flexible steel trowel or a 4- to 6-inch-wide drywall knife. Open the can of Venetian plaster and, if necessary, add the tint.
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