Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" recently celebrated its 150th anniversary. Carroll, whose real name was actually Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, wrote the book in 1865. Since that time, Alice's story has entertained audiences.
The imaginative tale follows Alice down the rabbit hole into a whole new world, where logic takes a backseat to her adventures with characters like the Mad Hatter and the Queen of Hearts.
While the story takes an escape from reality, some of the things that happen in the book are actually similar to real medical issues. The Mutter Museum of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, in collaboration with The Rosenbach Museum and Library, will discuss the medical aspects of Carroll's book on March 15.
During the event, guest speakers will talk about a neurological condition called “Alice in Wonderland Syndrome,” where the affected person’s perception of their size is distorted, as well as the effects of mercury poisoning, which some say the characters in the book -- such as the Mad Hatter -- suffer from throughout.
The speakers in attendance will be Anna Dhody, a physical and forensic anthropologist, and Dr. Grant T. Liu, a Professor of Neurology and Ophthalmology at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine.
You might think you know "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" but this discussion will share a new perspective on the characters.
Medical Oddities of Alice: Potions, Poisons & Pathology
Tuesday, March 15
6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. | $5-$15 per person
Mutter Museum
19 S. 22nd St.
(215) 560-8564