Objects in Medicine and Healthcare

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Did you know that the Romans buried their physicians and surgeons with their instruments?

 Forceps, syringes, scalpels, lancets, and bone saws of the Roman surgeon resemble many of the medical devices still being used today.

Our Surgical Instruments Gallery gives you a chance to explore and compare instruments from different time periods side by side.

In 1619, Charles de Lorme was among the first physicians to adopt a  the idea of a full head-to-toe protective garment. The outfit was  modeled after a soldier's armor. It consisted of  a bird-like mask with spectacles and a long leather  or waxed-canvas gown which went from the neck to the ankle. The mask's beak was filled with perfume to suppress the smell of patients infected with the plague. Did you know that this Plague Doctor costume is the inspiration behind the masks worn at the Venice Carnival? 

Our Personal Protective Equipment Gallery gives you a chance to explore medical outfits from different eras and see how they evolved over time. You may also find out some surprising facts about how these outfits influenced human culture.