> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.wellcomecollection.org/collections-information/lQ0fMyP8xr8hWWJiQkfl/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.wellcomecollection.org/collections-information/lQ0fMyP8xr8hWWJiQkfl/transcribe-wellcome/research/organisations/wprl.md). # Wellcome Physiological Research Laboratories (WPRL) Wellcome Physiological Research Laboratories (WPRL) Established c.1899 as a laboratory under the directorship of Dr Walter Dowson. Theoretically independent of [Burroughs Wellcome & Company](https://github.com/wellcomecollection/transcribe-wellcome/tree/0f24dd579552fbec9fe9ff9419c2bdd0a7b7925c/research/organisations/research/organisations/bw.md) but in practice administered through their head office and carried out some work on company products. Located at Beckenham, London from 1922. List of staff as of 1931 given in WAHMM/CO/Wel/B/4, image 2 [Symons 1993](https://archive.org/details/Symons1993/mode/2up) says foundation of WPRL was often given as 1894 during Henry Wellcome's lifetime (e.g. [in this 1934 exhibition booklet about the WRI](https://wellcomecollection.org/works/e5ahc5zu/items?canvas=17)) but that is not accurate. [Symons 1993](https://archive.org/details/Symons1993/mode/2up), p3, 26 and 54n2. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.wellcomecollection.org/collections-information/lQ0fMyP8xr8hWWJiQkfl/transcribe-wellcome/research/organisations/wprl.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.