Asclepius
is a retired British doctor trained in anaesthetics, intensive care, and general medicine. He is a Buddhist, an active member of Extinction Rebellion and several animal welfare and environmental organisations. Asclepius enjoys spending time with his horse and dogs.
The Rod of Asclepius
is a regular educational publication for the general reader outlining recent medical news and concepts, with more in depth coverage of subjects of interest to healthcare professionals. It is not intended to be a source of medical advice and should not be viewed as such.
This newsletter is grounded in the conviction that health - human, animal, and environmental - is indivisible. We hold that all aware beings, to the extent that awareness can be established, have an interest in life and in the conditions that allow them to flourish. We believe that human beings, as the most powerful agents on this planet, bear a corresponding obligation: to those of our own species who have been least favoured by circumstance, to the animals over whom we exercise dominion, and to the living systems on which all existence depends. We apply that conviction consistently, following the evidence wherever it leads, and we make no apology for the discomfort it sometimes produces.
Why subscribe?
Subscribe to get full access to the newsletter and publication archives. The newsletters cover medical issues for the casual reader; subscription allows access to single-subject issues which go into greater detail and are more appropriate for healthcare professionals or those interested in a deeper dive into medicine.
Stay up-to-date
Never miss an update—every new post is sent directly to your email inbox. For a spam-free, ad-free reading experience, plus audio and community features, get the Substack app.
Join the crew
Be part of a community of people who share your interests. Participate in the comments section, or support this work with a subscription.
To learn more about the tech platform that powers this publication, visit Substack.com.

