The Museum of Health Care Blog was formally known as Ex crypta: The Curator’s Blog. The blog has since expanded to include posts by other Museum staff and volunteers, on a wider range of topics.
“Unfortunately for Clark, this was not the last time his name would be used in association with a patent medicine. Perhaps knowing the limitations of the law in this matter, many patent medicine producers in Canada and the United States subsequently created products in his name.” In 1848, an advertisement appeared in The Examiner (London, … More Sir J. Clarke’s Female Pills
the following blog post was written by Museum of Health Care Curator Maxime Chouinard The appendix represents quite a mystery. For many years it was believed to be a vestige of our distant ancestors; the trace of a cecum, a part of many animals large intestine.[1] This theory was put forward by Charles Darwin, … More A Mere Appendix: Pioneering Surgery in Grand Valley Ontario
*the following guest blog was written by Brendan Cull, 2014 Curatorial Volunteer The period following the Crimean War and until the end of the First World War marks an interesting time for men’s fashion and health. During the Victorian period, beards and other facial hair styles enjoyed resurgence in popularity which had not been seen … More A Hair-Razing History of the Beard: Facial Hair and Men’s Health from the Crimean War to the First World War
The following blog post was written by 2014 Collections Technician Katrin MacPhee* “… Not poppy, nor mandragora, Nor all the drowsy syrups of the world, Shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep Which thou owedst yesterday.” Shakespeare: Othello III.iii [1] Earmuff-clad, Harry Potter and his friends wrench unyielding mandrake plants from their cozy earthen … More Mandrakes, from Mythology to Museum Collectable
the following post was written by Pamela Peacock, Museum Curator The Museum of Health Care is pleased to announce the opening of a new exhibition, Vaccines and Immunization: Epidemics, Prevention, and Canadian Innovation. Developed with Guest Curator Dr. Christopher Rutty, and funded in part by the Kingston and United Way Community Fund, the Coalition of … More Vaccines and Immunization: Epidemics, Prevention, and Canadian Innovation
*the following blog post was written by Dr. Pamela Peacock, Museum Curator Shortly after I arrived at the Museum of Health Care as Curator in the fall of 2011, the Museum received the fantastic news that it had been awarded a grant for $52,000 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. This funding enabled the Museum to … More The APPle of our eye: 80 years of hospital history in the palm of your hand!
*the following guest blog was written by Brendan Cull, 2013 Curatorial Assistant at the Museum of Health Care. Residents of Kingston will be aware of the positive impact that the local hospitals have on our city’s overall health, but what many of us might not know is that they have a much wider reach than … More Medicine in the Mushkegowuk: A Connection Between North and South
*the following guest blog was written by Brendan Cull, 2013 Curatorial Assistant at the Museum of Health Care. Oral hygiene and beauty have been interlinked throughout history. Since ancient times, people have attempted to clean their teeth to reduce or eliminate the pain and embarrassment of tooth decay while also working towards a perfect smile. … More The Humble Toothbrush’s Extravagant Past
The following blog post was written by Museum Curator Dr. Pamela Peacock In Canada, the hard work and dedication of nurses is formally recognized during National Nursing Week, the second of week of May. International Nurses Day, designated by the International Council of Nurses in 1974, is celebrated on May 12th. This day was chosen … More A Tribute to Canada’s Nurses: Celebrating Nursing Week 2013
The following blog post was written by Varsha Jayaraman, Curatorial Assistant April 16th marks National Stress Awareness Day. Stress often accompanies difficult situations or circumstances that a person undergoes. Psychological, emotional and mental stress can lead to negative consequences on one’s physiological stability. As a student at Queen’s University, stress is not a foreign concept … More National Stress Awareness Day, 16 April: Managing Stress Then and Now
