On Display
A wooden figure of a man giving himself moxibustion treatment - burning herbs on or near the skin. The black spot on his leg represents the smouldering herb. The figure is signed Miwa with Kakihan.
Wooden statue of St. Nicholas, France, 1601-1700. In this statue, at his feet, are three children in a tub. This relates to when he lodged with an inn keeper, during a time of famine, who had killed three children and salted them down for food. When
Bronze cupping vessel, from Pompeii, Roman, 1-79AD. Cupping was an ancient therapy intended to restore the balance of the body. It remained popular in the Western world until the 19th century.
Faience amulet, djed, Egyptian, 400-30BC
A stone mortar and pestle made in India. The mortar and pestle is a traditional tool important in many medical traditions, used to grind and blend plants and minerals into a wide range of remedies.
A set of palm nuts usually kept in the blue cloth bag. Diviners of the Yoruba people of Nigeria pass sixteen palm nuts from hand to hand eight times. Each time, one or two nuts are kept in the hand and this is marked on a board. The diviner reads t
This inhaler for anaesthesia consists of a glass vessel that contains ether soaked sponges and is connected to a facemask by tubing. The mouthpiece has inspiratory and expiratory valves. Air would be drawn through the bottle and over the sponges as t
MacKenzie's laryngeal ecraseur, plated steel and ebony, probably British
MacKenzie's laryngeal electrode wood, metal and gum elastic, probably British
This instrument consists of thin blades with auxiliary ivory plates and screw clamps, and has handles that are backed by horn plates. It was manufactured by Collin of Paris, France and is from the Charrierre, Colin and Gentile collection. The clamp i
