Hunterian Museum - London, England

Science and Surgery Through the Eyes of John Hunter

Feb 20, 2008
Frances Spiegel

Heart-Lung Machine - Hunterian Museum, Royal College of Surgeons

The Hunterian Museum presents one of the world's oldest anatomical collections side by side with the latest advances in surgery to reveal 400 years of medical history.

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.

Afternoon Tea at Waldorf Hilton or Claridge's?

As there is no cafe at the Hunterian Museum why not go to the nearby Waldorf Hilton or Claridge's for an outstanding afternoon tea – a great way to finish the day. Bookings at both hotels are essential and smart casual dress is compulsory. Anyone wearing shorts, vests, sportwear, flip flops, ripped jeans or baseballs will not be admitted.

Source: "The Knife Man: The Extraordinary Life of and Times of John Hunter, Father of Modern Surgery, Wendy Moore, Bantam 2005