Grin and Bear It: Toothache Day and Why It Was Best to Avoid the Dentist in the Ancient World

*The following blog post was written by Curatorial Assistant Varsha Jayaraman

Postcard (1906), Museum of Health Care 996001476

February 9^th marks Toothache Day, a day to celebrate…toothaches?  Much like many strangely-named holidays, the origin and reason for this one is unknown.  Some speculate that perhaps this celebrates the feast day of St. Apollonia, the patroness of dentists.  She was seized during a local uprising against Christians in Alexandria and was severely beaten, losing all of her teeth.  The Roman Church remembers her on February 9^th. She is commonly invoked by some toothache sufferers because of the pain she endured.  Others believe that Toothache Day may be related to the date that the Hershey’s Candy Corporation was founded, the delicious origin of many-a-toothache.  In any case, Toothache Day instils a reminder to all to see the dentist regularly.  And to count your blessings that you aren’t suffering from a toothache in the Ancient or Medieval Worlds!

“Limbsomnia”: Pins and Needles Day & Paraesthesia

*the following blog post was written by Curatorial Assistant Varsha Jayaraman

November 27^th marked “Pins and Needles Day”.  It might seem that Pins and Needles Day would be something especially pertinent to a museum of health care; however, the origin of this day has nothing to do with the history of health care.  Rather, it originated to celebrate the 1937 opening of the Broadway show, Pins and Needles, a gutsy comedic play about the pro-Labour movement.  Regardless, as a Museum, we do not let days so aptly named after medical implements pass by without some consideration!

Spotlight on Patent Medicines – Dr. William Hall’s Balsam for the Lungs

*the following guest blog post was written by Varsha Jayaraman, Queen’s Work Study Curatorial Assistant

In the mid-to-late twentieth century, advertising trade cards were important for circulating information about patent medicines, or “over-the-counter” drugs.  Dr. William Hall’s Balsam was printed by the Donaldson Brothers of Five Points, New York, a popular advertiser from 1872 to 1891.

Dr. Hall’s Balsam for the Lungs, 1860, 996001411, Collection of the Museum of Health Care

Would I Have Died? Meconium Aspiration Syndrome

*the following guest blog was written by Maddi McKay, 2012 Curatorial Assistant at the Museum of Health Care

It is my belief that, every once in a while, it is more important to examine the present than the past to truly understand the magnitude of various discoveries, achievements, and failures. This blog post will focus on imparting a (hopefully) touching story of human resilience both in terms of physical determination and of miraculous technological advancement. It’s my sincere hope that by telling you my tale, I will encourage you to make personal connections of your own to those in history, and to gain a solemn appreciation for what has been made possible in our time through humankind’s drive to improve.

Collections Corner: Playing Doctor

Toy medical kit by Fisher Price, 1977 (008056002)

Most of us remember playing doctor or nurse to an injured doll or teddy bear. When I was a child my Cabbage Patch doll often fell ill and my sisters and I nursed her back to health using a Fisher-Price Medical Kit. Developed over thirty years ago, this toy has stood the test of time and has also evolved several times since its inception. The kit contains everything a young doctor or nurse needs, including a stethoscope, thermometer and a sphygmomanometer, also known as a blood pressure cuff. These colourful children’s versions of the real instruments also helped my parents prepare me for trips to the paediatrician; I learned what to expect through play, which made check-ups and doctors visits much less stressful for all parties involved.

Collections Corner: May I Pre-chew that for you, Sir?

Masticator, c.1900-1915. Accession #004015002.

Our teeth are an essential part of our daily lives – we use them to do things like eat and form our words. How healthy are your teeth? Today, there are many things we can do to protect our teeth – brush twice a day, floss and visit your friendly neighbourhood dentist every six months. When we are small, losing a tooth is exciting! There is the anticipation of a visit from the Tooth Fairy and then amazement when a brand new tooth pushes up in place of the old one. As we age, the prospect of losing a tooth is no longer so exciting and we have to examine other alternatives to replace lost teeth.

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.

Click here to search the Museum’s collection online.

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

 

Click here to search the Museum’s collection online.

 

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