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In the somber painting "Young Woman on her Death Bed, 1621, " we witness a poignant scene of suffering and fragility. The artist's brushstrokes capture the pale complexion and hollow eyes of a young woman, whose life hangs by a thread. As she lies in Whipps Cross Hospital, Essex, surrounded by medical professionals dedicated to her care, one can only hope for a miraculous recovery. Centuries later, in Batoni's masterpiece "Return of the Prodigal Son, 1773, " we find solace in the power of forgiveness and redemption. Amidst this tale of reconciliation between father and son, illness may have played its part as well. Perhaps it was an ailment that led the prodigal son astray before finding his way back home. The walls of West Ham Infirmary at Whipps Cross bear witness to countless stories etched into their bricks – tales filled with pain but also resilience. In Stobhill Hospital in Springburn or St Lawrences Hospital in Caterham, patients fought battles against sickness with unwavering determination. Even death itself is depicted through art's lens; "The Young Girl and Death" portrays an ethereal encounter between innocence and mortality around 1900. This haunting oil painting reminds us that illness does not discriminate based on age or circumstance. History intertwines with sickness too; during World War II's Teheran conference in 1943 captured in black-and-white photography, Roosevelt, Stalin, and Churchill convened amidst global turmoil while hospitals like South Eastern Fever Hospital stood as beacons of hope for those afflicted by disease. From P. D. S. A ambulances rushing through busy streets to Great Ormond Street Hospital offering specialized care to children battling illnesses - these institutions become symbols of compassion amid adversity. Through all these snapshots from different eras - whether it be Roosevelts' era or centuries prior - one thing remains constant: our collective resilience in the face of sickness.