The Science and Art of Medicine
On Display
Glass bottle, long neck, two handles, Roman, 251-450AD. Glass appears to have been produced as far back as the second millennium BC by the Egyptians and perhaps the Phoenicians. Around the end of the 1st century BC glass-blowing was developed, whereb
Two large acupuncture needles, used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The needles are inserted into chosen points on the body to stimulate the movement of the energy qi and balance the Yin and Yang parts of the qi.
A glass bottle containing Kola Compound elixir, made by Parke, Davis and Co., derived from African kola nuts. The active ingedient in kola nuts is caffeine, and its stimulating effect makes it useful in medicines worldwide.
These crushable ampoules contain chloroform and are called �Brisettes�. They are composed of glass with a protective wrapping of gauze and cotton wool and were made by Macfarlan and Co., Edinburgh and London, for use in midwifery. Billings and Sons L
Pharmacy leech jar, marbled and gilt earthenware, perhaps Staffordshire, English, inscribed � Leeches�.
A bottle containing Strophanthus Tincture tablets, made by Burroughs Wellcome & Co. Ripe seeds from Strophanthus gratus and kombé plants contain a chemical that works on the heart. In Europe it has been made into tablets, powders or solutions for inj
Medicine chest, winged front, from Reece's Medical Hall, Piccadilly, with 30 painted glass bottles and 4 drawers, 5 confection glasses, 1 probang, 3 boxes, 1 plaster spreader, 1 seal, 1 spatula, 1 bowl, 1 pill tile, 1 fleam, 1 lancet, 2 syringes, 4
Tracheotomy set, complete, metal and ivory instruments in leather case, by S. Maw, Son & Thompson of London.
A set of four divination plaques on a string, used by the Mashona people of Zimbabwe. Mashona diviners use only red ivorywood for their plaques, as they believe it is the only wood that tells the truth. It is the royal wood of KwaZulu Natal and is n