The Science and Art of Medicine

A container of Neem tablets, a commercially available herbal medicine used by practitioners of Ayurveda, manufactured by The Himalaya Drug Company in Bangalore, India and distributed by Vedic Medical Hall Ltd., London.

• Container of Neem herbal medicine tablets, India, 2004

This is a set of nine wax plaques that show different stages in the dissection of a female figure and the development of the human embryo. They were probably made in Vienna, Austria.

• The development of the human embryo, early 19th century

A bag probably made from monkey-skin, used by healers in Africa. Clothes and accessories such as this bag are important to identify healers and show their high status in the community.

• Healer's bag, Africa, 1880-1930

Surgical shears, small, bronze, Roman

• Three pairs of Roman surgical shears, 200-500 AD.

This instrument is composed of nickel-plated steel and was manufactured by Down Bros. of London. Basil Hall designed this clamp to be used during ovariotomy operations of the type devised by Ernst Wertheim (1864-1920) of Vienna. The operation was fir

• Basil Hall�s ovariotomy clamp, 1910-1920.

This is a vaginal douche and it is made out of rubber and vulcanite. This type of apparatus is used to force water or another solution into the vaginal cavity to flush away vaginal discharge or other contents. Douching is neither a contraceptive, nor

• Vaginal douche, the 'Omega Spray', 1900-1940.

3 glass bottles of Depo-Provera and a plastic syringe. Depo-Provera is a slow release contraceptive containing a hormone that is similar to the body� s natural progesterone. It is given by injection by a doctor every three months. These examples were

• 3 bottles of Depo-Provera slow-release contraceptive and a plastic syringe, 1979-1981.

Carbolic spray for creating antiseptic conditions during surgery, modification by Lucas-Championniere of Lister's invention, made by Collin and Company of Paris; French

• Carbolic acid solution spray, French, 1860-1887.

Respirometer, manufactured by Walker Lecuyer, Paris. This is of a similar design to Hutchinson�s. The subject breathed into the inner gasholder via a tube connected to the inlet pipe at the base. The gasholder is balanced over water by the counter we

• Spirometer, 1876-1900.

This item is illustrated in the centre of the middle row and is an original carton containing 12 pessaries. They are of the �Prorace� brand and were supplied by John Bell and Croyden Ltd., London. The other objects in this image are as follows. Botto

• Spermicidal pessaries, ointment and jelly, early 20th century.