A Century Gone – Sir Joseph Lister, Bt. (1827-1912): Antisepsis and the beginnings of Modern Surgical Medicine

Joseph Lister, c1867

Sir Joseph Lister, Bt. was born 1827 in Essex, England.  He graduated from University College, London, with a Bachelor of Medicine in 1852 and, at age 26, entered the Royal College of Surgeons.  Shortly thereafter, he moved to Edinburgh to pursue his career and practice.  In 1860 he accepted the position of Chair of Clinical Surgery at the University of Glasgow.  In this capacity, Lister found that 45-50% of amputation patients later died of infection.  Spurred by this statistic, he undertook the experiments on the prevention of infection that earned him wide renown.

Collections Corner: Waterloo Teeth

Have you ever thought about where dentures come from? Archaeologists have found evidence of denture use dating back to 700 BCE and there have been many manifestations since, but their purpose has never really changed. Dentures were, and still are, used to replace teeth for both functional and aesthetic purposes. Early dentures were carved out of bone or ivory but since these materials are not covered with enamel, they react with the saliva in the mouth and decay, causing an unpleasant taste and odour. Porcelain dentures were introduced during the mid to late 1700s and didn’t rot, but they were unconvincing as natural teeth because of their stark white colour.

Upper denture with a carved ivory base and human teeth, 1850-1870. Accession #010020428.

Collections Corner: Electrostatic Generator

Electrostatic generator / X-ray machine, circa 1910. Accession #006030001.

In 2006 the Museum of Health Care received this fascinating artefact donation from Elizabeth McMahon, the granddaughter of Dr. Frank Mellow who used the machine in his home office in Uxbridge, Ontario.

The machine generated an electrical charge with the turn of a crank and could be used with various instruments for electrotherapy or to produce x-rays.  Here is a fantastic video overview by Tabitha Renaud.

In September 2011 Elizabeth returned to the Museum to visit the electrostatic generator, and she shared some wonderful anecdotes about her childhood memories of the machine:

Weekly Photo Challenge: Self Portrait

To open up the Museum of Health Care’s artefact collection we are participating in WordPress’ Weekly Photo Challenge. Based on WordPress’ randomly chosen themes, we’ll offer a serendipitous peek into our collection. Check in each week for a new curiosity.

Commemorative postcard of the Ann Baillie Building in 1908, now home to the Museum of Health Care. Accession #999008001

Read about the Ann Baillie Building National Historic Site.

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15 years later… Remembering Nancy Malloy

As the recently appointed Assistant Curator at the Museum of Health Care, I am constantly finding out new and fascinating things about the objects in our collections and the broader history of health care that underpins them.  I also have the privilege of learning about the men and women who forged careers in medical science and who practice(d) medicine or nursing.  Just last week one such story was brought to my attention by Donna Mossman (KGH School of Nursing ’68).  She inquired whether the Museum of Health Care was commemorating the death of her classmate, Nancy Malloy, in any way.  After finding out about her work and untimely death, I would like to honour Nancy’s memory by telling her story.

Nancy Malloy, 1945-1996

A native of Brockville, Ontario, Nancy completed her studies at the KGH School of Nursing in 1968 and her Bachelors degree in Nursing Science at Queen’s University in 1969.  She worked for several years as a teacher in Montreal before moving to Vancouver in 1979.  There Nancy joined the BC branch of the Red Cross, working as a nurse and hospital administrator at remote hospitals.  During this time she also completed her MBA.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Celebration

To open up the Museum of Health Care’s artefact collection we are participating in WordPress’ Weekly Photo Challenge. Based on WordPress’ randomly chosen themes, we’ll offer a serendipitous peek into our collection. Check in each week for a new curiosity.

A black and white photograph of a group of nursing students dressed up for their graduation dinner, 1955. Accession #005018002

 

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To learn how the Museum is exploring, remembering, and honouring nursing, visit museumofhealthcare.ca/nursing.

 

Weekly Photo Challenge: Waiting

To open up the Museum of Health Care’s artefact collection we are participating in WordPress’ Weekly Photo Challenge. Based on WordPress’ randomly chosen themes, we’ll offer a serendipitous peek into our collection. Check in each week for a new curiosity.

Advertising clock sign, 1905-1915. Accession #004004006.

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History of Health Care: Transformation of the Hospital

Figure 1. Original building. Image: KGH Archive

The Main Building of the Kingston Hospital was built between 1833 and 1835, however due to lack of operating funds did not open until 1845, with incorporation in 1849 when a lay board was appointed. They had a mandate to operate the hospital as a charitable institution required to “supply necessities and relieve the condition of sick and destitute immigrants and other transients and the mariners of the lake” (Figure 1).

There were a dozen doctors in Kingston, at that time a community of 8,000. One physician per month provided free medical services at the Kingston Hospital. The initial staff included a housekeeper/nurse and her daughter as a helper, both of whom died caring for patients during the 1847 typhus epidemic. In 1851 a steward was appointed and in 1854 the staff included a matron, two male orderlies and the steward.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Family

To open up the Museum of Health Care’s artefact collection we are participating in WordPress’ Weekly Photo Challenge. Based on WordPress’ randomly chosen themes, we’ll offer a serendipitous peek into our collection. Check in each week for a new curiosity.

Paper trade card for Dr. Thomas’ Eclectric Oil, c.1860. MHC Accession #996001792

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Weekly Photo Challenge: Breakfast

To open up the Museum of Health Care’s artefact collection we are participating in WordPress’ Weekly Photo Challenge. Based on WordPress’ randomly chosen themes, we’ll offer a serendipitous peek into our collection. Check in each week for a new curiosity.

Mead's cereal container, c. 1930 (with cereal grains removed to a glass jar). Accession #1978.3.1 a-b.

Click here to search the Museum’s collection online.