The Science and Art of Medicine

A silver toothbrush set, once owned by Joseph Hardy Lindsey. The Chinese are credited with inventing the use of toothbrushes and toothpastes, although the ancient Egyptians used branches with frayed ends to clean their teeth. In the West, the use of

• Toothbrush set, c 1790.

Rynd's hypodermic syringe, steel with ivory handle, in maroon leatherette case, by Weiss, London.

• Hypodermic syringe, English, 1860-1880.

A stick of moxibustion herbs wrapped in paper. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, moxibustion treatment gives heat to a point on the body, which makes qi energy flow smoothly. The herbs can be burned on or close to the skin, or on top of acu

• Moxibustion stick, China, 1988

A plastic vomit bowl used during panchakarma, an Ayurvedic therapy. Vomiting aims to drive out harmful doshas (forces) and waste products and is induced by taking a drink containing ingredients such as liquorice or calamus root. Therapeutic vomiting

• Plastic vomit bowl with handle, England, 2005

Magneto-electric machine, with elaborate workmanship by John Green, London. Similar in principle but not structure to Davis machines

• Magneto-electric machine, late 19th century.

Brass syringe, in case, French.

• Brass syringe, French, early 17th century.

Pottery leech jar, with lid and iron clamp for lid, sides perforated for ventilation, 19th century. Illustrated on the right, next to A637617, another leech jar.

• Two leech jars, 19th century

Leech jar, stoneware, with lid and iron clamp for lid, inscribed 'Patent Leech Jar'.

• Stoneware patent leech jar, late 19th century

Pewter leech box, inscribed �Leeches�.

• Pewter box for transporting leeches, 19th century.

This apparatus is based on plans by the British obstetrician James Blundell (1790-1877). It consists of the following instruments, which are largely composed of brass and glass: two syringes, two canulae, two lancets, and two glass funnels. There is

• Blundell's blood transfusion apparatus, 19th century.