Deer Antler

Prehistoric Deer Antler, found in St Thomas' Street during building work for Jubilee Line (September 1992). Probably belonged to someone living in a prehistoric settlement in Southwark.

Used in medicine for the keratin which, under its old name, Sal volatile, was a chief source of ammonia. Grated and pounded, it is proteinous and probably a gelling filler. It is listed in the late Victorian Fennings' 'Guidance to Mothers' book as part of a wash.

(1992:007)

Red Coral

Piece of shiny red coral with one extended limb. Powdered ground red coral is one of the more exotic 18th century animal ingredients. One of the prescription favourites of physician Dr Richard Mead (St Thomas' Hospital from 1703-14).

(2004:008)

Puffer Fish

"I do remember an apothecary...and in his needy shop a tortoise hung. An alligator stuffed and other skins of ill shaped fishes.." Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare.

Pufferfish were a common eighteenth century apothecary shop show object, as seen in 'The Quack Doctor' watercolour by Thomas Rowlandson, 1814. The coral-eating fish draws water into its body to inflate its size as a defence mechanism. The Fugo or Puffer Fish species contain a toxic poison within their bodies. Should the poison penetrate the skin or be ingested it can induce instant coma. The poison is mainly contained within the liver and special skills and training are required to safely prepare the fish. Special licences are issued to chefs to train them how to prepare the fish, which is considered a delicacy in Japan. The poison also played an important part within traditional Haitian Voudoun medicine and ritual. The capacity of the poison to slow the heart has led to modern research investigations for its potential use as an anaesthetic.

(2001:066a,b)

Alligator

Small light brown stuffed Alligator with green eyes, with right front foot tucked under its chest.

Has green marble eyes. The body is stitched along the belly. There is red paint within the jaws.

(1997:011)

Deer Skull

Small deer skull with forked ridged brown horns. The bone is fragile, clean and bright.

In the past, animal horn, especially deer horn, (also known as Hartshorn) was grated and dissolved to produce chemicals such as ammonia and keratin. Horn, like ivory, was also a material valued for the manufacture of medical instrument handles but went out of fashion in Britain post 1865 as Listerian antiseptic and later aseptic (heat orientated) sterilisation procedures became the norm.

(2003:014)

Horns

A pair of curled animal horns. Very sturdy, hollow look like ram or goat horns. Likely 20th century.

Pharmaceutically prepared horn provided ammonia and keratin for medical use.

(2001:070(a,b) )

Ostrich Eggs

Two large, modern white, blown ostrich eggs. a) Is slightly speckled and pitted, b) Has smoother pearlised finish.

An ostrich egg was one of the items traditionally displayed within the eighteenth century 'Wunderkammern' or Cabinets of Curiosity owned by many pioneering scientists and medics of the period. Egg yolk, or ovum, was a medical ingredient included in many freshly made pharmaceutical formulae. Amongst other skills, Florence Nightingale demanded of her nurses that they be able to make the egg flip given to some convalescing patients at old St Thomas' Hospital.

(2000:018(a,b) )