The Science and Art of Medicine

 

On Display

Palm nuts with cloth bag, Nigeria, 1880-1920.

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

 
Amputation saw and two artificial arms, 16th century.

Two iron artificial arms and an amputation saw. Previously, it was thought that the arms may have been owned by Gotz von Berlichingen (1480-1562), the German knight and adventurer. Artificial limbs such as these were expensive items made by armoure

 
Trepanning set, English, c 1750s.

Case of trephination instruments, c. 1731-1770. Trepanning is the removal of a piece of bone from the skull. The instruments are of a type introduced by Samuel Sharp (1700-1778) of Guy's Hospital, who wrote 'Treatise on the operation of surgery' (17

 
Hypodermic syringe with a spare needle and metal case, late 19th century.

Hypodermic syringe, with spare needle, in case

 
Laryngeal ecraseur, late 19th century.

MacKenzie's laryngeal ecraseur, plated steel and ebony, probably British

 
Laryngeal bougie, late 19th century.

MacKenzie's laryngeal electrode wood, metal and gum elastic, probably British

 
Baker-Brown's cautery clamps, French, 1841-1900.

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

 
Ancient Egyptian amulet, the girdle or knot of Isis (Thet/Tyet), 4000-30 BC.

Thet (or tyet) amulet, carved from jasper, Ancient Egyptian, 4000-30 BC. The thet is the primary magical charm associated with the goddess Isis.

 
Skin testing set for allergies, 1871-1930.

Skin testing set for allergies, in case, made by Duncan Flockhart and Co., British.

 
Smallpox pustule gauge, c 1920.

Smallpox pustule (or vesicle) gauge used to estimate the duration of immunity imparted by vaccination, by Young, Scottish, 1870-1930