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

 

Click here to search the Museum’s collection online.

 

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.

Click here to search the Museum’s collection online.

 

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

Click here to search the Museum’s collection online.

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.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Wonder

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.

Dr. Bell's Wonder Kidney Tablets bottle, 1926. Accession #996001342

 Dr. Bell Wonder Medicine Co. were “manufacturers of veterinary, household, and toilet preparations.”

You can find several Dr. Bell Wonder Medicine advertisements in the Museum’s collection online.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Windows

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.

Dr. C.H. William's lantern. Accession #1969.311.1 a-b

The front of this lantern holder has 18 small circular windows with different coloured glass in each window; the disk containing these windows is movable in both counterclockwise and clockwise directions. The stamped metal plate afixed near the top reads “DR. C.H. WILLIAMS // LANTERN // FOR TESTING COLOUR SENSE”

Click here to search the Museum’s collection online.

History of Health Care: Quarantine and Isolation

Before the nineteenth century, quarantine and isolation had been practiced in an effort to protect the community from contagious diseases such as plague and smallpox in the absence of specific treatment. Such diseases were considered contagious even though the cause and method of transmission were not known.

Two important developments occurred during the last half of the nineteenth century. An understanding of the cause and transmission of contagious disease occurred due to research leading to the germ theory. Government assumed increasing responsibility for the protection of the community from contagious diseases with legislation that established provincial and municipal Boards of Health.

Image from National Library of Medicine, http://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/smallpox/sp_threat.html

Weekly Photo Challenge: Hidden

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.

Photographic print of the X-ray of the hand of Joseph Gorrie, circa 1896. Accession #997029001 a-b

Learn more about early uses of the X-ray and its hidden dangers in the Museum’s Gallery Guide.

Click here to search the Museum’s collection online.