Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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In early 18th century London, society seemed to be falling apart. The culprit? Cheap booze and specifically, gin.

Alt text: A close up look at William Hogarth's 1751 engraving called Gin Lane, which satirically depicted the effect unregulated gin consumption was having on London.

Credit: A poor London street strewn with hopeless drunkards and lined with gin shops and a flourishing pawnbroker. Engraving, c. 1751, after W. Hogarth. Source: Wellcome Collection.