This fascinating medical science exhibition was originally established by the surgeon John Hunter (1728-1793) in 1813 as the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons. The newly redeveloped exhibition is just one of London's 21 museums devoted to the history of health and medicine. It shows the wealth of material amassed by the surgeon John Hunter (1728 -1793), often referred to as "The Father of Modern Surgery" and
John Hunter - Surgeon and Teacher
After studying with surgeons Percivall Pott (1714-88) and William Cheselden (1688-1752), John Hunter rapidly gained a reputation as a skilful surgeon and teacher. Hunter, sometimes nicknamed "The Knife Man" was a man ahead of his time. His varied interests included subjects as diverse as artificial insemination, biology, evolutionary theory, taxidermy and dental implants.
Hunter's Museum
Hunter was also a keen collector and experimenter and accumulated some 14,000 preparations of more than 500 different types of animals and plants. This collection formed the core of his museum which he set up as a teaching centre/museum where his students could learn from his anatomical experiments.
Today's exhibition shows 3,500 specimens and preparations from Hunter's original collection plus some 2,500 items acquired after his death in 1793. Hunter also collected works of art and the display includes pieces by artists such as George Stubbs, William Hodges and Jan van Rymsdyk.
Skulls, Skeletons, Jaws and Teeth!
The exhibition includes skulls, jaws and teeth both from humans and almost every type of animal together with dental casts and dentures. A set of dentures made for Winston Churchill in 1941 looks extremely uncomfortable!
Instruments of Torture?
The Royal College of Surgeons has a fine collection of more than 7,000 historical surgical and dental instruments, many of which look like instruments of torture and date back to the 17th century. On display are a set of surgical instruments and a microscope that once belonged to the surgeon Joseph Lister, (Baron Lister, 1827-1912).
Heart-Lung Machine
The exhibition includes a partial reconstruction of a heart-lung bypass machine used in Britain in 1957. The design was developed by Clarence Walton Lillehei and Richard DeWall at the University of Minnesota in 1956.
Development of Anaesthetics
Hunter devoted considerable time to exploring the use of ether, chloroform and nitrous oxide. One of the displays tells the story of Charlotte Waite who, in 1848, at the age of eleven had her leg amputated following an accident. Chloroform was used during the operation. Charlotte made two cross stitch samplers to commemorate the operation. One reads 'Charlotte Waite' and the other reads 'Chloroform June The 9 1848'.
Apart from free guided tours every Wednesday there are regular evening lectures, lunchtime talks and walks and family events. The programme of free talks includes:
- My favourite Things by Professor Harold Ellis FRCS, Emeritus Professor of Surgery
- Hunting for clues: John Hunter and the Natural World by Jennie Gillions
- A night with Venus, a Lifetime with Mercury by Mr Tim Guerrier FRCS
- Affairs of the Heart by Mr Richard Jeffery FRCS,
- Lost and found: a Dental Masterpiece by Mr Peter Jordan LDS RCSEng
- Healing by Mr K M N Kunzru MS FRCS
- The Darker side of the Age of Enlightenment by Mr Neil Orr FRCS
- Apothecaries, Barbers and the City by Mr Michael Pugh FRCS
- Bad Bones and Rotten Joints by Mr Richard Pusey FRCS
- There's more to Teeth than meets the Eye by Mr Lynn Walters FDS
- Keyhole surgery by Professor Chris Wastell MS FRCS
The Hunterian Museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm and admission is free. It is located within the headquarters of The Royal College of Surgeons at 35-43 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PE. If you can't get along to the museum their website has a very informative virtual tour.
Source: "The Knife Man: The Extraordinary Life of and Times of John Hunter, Father of Modern Surgery, Wendy Moore, Bantam 2005
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