In Search of Medical Curiosities

I journeyed to the Natural History Museum this afternoon. It was nice…if you’re 14 or under, that is.

The only interesting thing about London’s Natural History Museum is in its architecture. It’s impressive and kinda reminds you of being in a Harry Potter movie. And the only pictures I took were of the interior of the building itself. Otherwise, this one is strictly for the kiddies.

I exited and walked to the Science Museum nearby, hoping for a reprieve. And although the Science Museum is suitable for kidlets, it’s also educational and interesting for the adults. (and didn’t overdo it on the interactive displays)

It’s a museum exploring the past, present and future of science, technology and medicine. In school, I enjoyed biology, was fascinated with medicine and I’m a bit of a techno geek/gadget freak, so my interest was definitely piqued. Knowing that I was getting within an hour to closing, after finishing seeing the ground floor, I took the lift to the 5th floor, where the science and art of medicine was housed.

This collection is not for the faint of heart. The exhibit trace the evolution of medication, surgery, dentistry, psychiatry, obstetricians/midwifery, instruments, drugs, potions. You name it, it’s featured, un-apologetically in all its grotesque and fascinating glory – from ancient Egypt and Greece, through the superstitious dark ages, world wars and up to present day. It’s not as disturbing as it sounds.

Pictures taken include: a lepers skeletons, mortuary crosses and fumigation torch from the plague years, a box of phrenological heads, a bleeding bowl, vintage post-mortem kits, the first ethel inhaler (precursor to anaesthesia), vintage drug kit to treat syphillis and a pig valve for heart transplants.

And did you know that in the late 19th century, gelatin discs, impregnated with the local anaesthesia cocaine, were specifically designed for use in ophthalmology? This exhibit will teach you things like this. (real conversation starters!) But seriously, it will enlighten you and make you so appreciative of all the advances we’ve made in the name of modern medicine.

I even took a good hard look at that that would give me the shivers.

My worst fear: either me losing my mind or everyone around me gone crazy. A display from 1902-1920 of manacles and a restraint jacket, gibson spoons that were used for feeding invalids, children and lunatics. (yup, the sign actually said lunatics), an asylum attendant’s whistle, asylum rulebook, a handbook for attendants on the insane. (yup, the sign actually said insane), a force-feeding tube and a probang which is a device used to remove morsels of food sticking in the gullet and causing choking. They were standard equipment on the dining table of all asylums.

I suppose I wanted to see what it had to say about mental illness in the hope that my fear would be demystified. Sure, I’m a little more enlightened (and offended), but in no way does this dispel or vanquish my fear.

I will go back to finish the museum off, as there’s more things I want to learn: veterinary history, psychology, flight, marine engineering, time measurement…sounds like school, but then again, I’ve always liked school. Once a nerd, always a nerd, right?