Lectures and Events archive 2009/11

 

 

Summer Events for Kids

August Tuesdays & Thursdays at 2pm

Hands On

The Apothecary's Apprentice

Discover the world of pharmacy in the 18th century. This children's workshop will explore the use and making of pills and potions in the magical atmosphere of our herb garret.

 

 

 

 

ART EXHIBITION

 

RELICS OF WHAT IS TO COME

 

A group exhibition of Morbid and Memorial Art

from Flanders and London

29th July - 28th August

 

 

 

A group of artists from London , Ghent and Antwerp who regularly work together on projects to do with Art & Science, Anatomy, Medical artand Mortality present new work in the Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret

 

PAST SPECIAL EVENTS

 

 

MAY 2011

12th of May at 6.30pm

PATHOLOGY IN MYTHOLOGY

 

Professor Robin Cooke from Queensland Medical School and Pathology will talk about some of the congenital abnormalities that may have been the basis of characters invented by the writers of mythology. Almost every civilization has developed its own body of stories that have become part of the culture and created a rich heritage of mythology.The authors of the mythological stories may have based some of their famous characterson real life congenital abnormalities that occur in humans and in animals.

The audience also will be introduce of Homer’s famous characters like Mermaids, Cyclops, conjoined twins etc. who may have been based, at least to some extent, on real cases.


The lecture will be illustrated with photos of sculptures and paintings of the mythological characters and real medical examples.

 

Professor ROBIN A. COOKE

OBE, OAM, MD, DCP, FRCPA, FRCPath, FACTM, FAICD

Brisbane, Australia

University of Queensland Medical School and Pathology Queensland.Emeritus Consultant Royal Brisbane Hospital,Queensland, Australia. Editor of International Pathology – the News Bulletin of the International Academy of Pathology

tickets £6

 

 

~

13th of May

The events will start at 6pm, 7pm and 8pm -please book for one time only

 

On popular demand we are back for

 

MUSEUMS AT NIGHT

with our

"Surgery by Gaslight"

 

Experience the fear of a nineteenth-century patient at these low-lit demonstrations of amputations that were performed in Victorian times, and rejoice that you don't really live in that era. Anaesthetic-free and pre-antiseptic. Enjoy the rare magic atmosphere of the museum in the twilight and be ready for the operating table!

 

tickets £9

 

~

 

SUMMER EVENTS!

 

EVENTS FOR FAMILIES:

 

August; Tuesday 17th & Tuesday 24th at 2pm


Sir Hans Sloane: The Odyssey of Chocolate Workshop

 

Discover the fascinating story of chocolate's long, rich history, from it's early usage by the ancient Aztecs, who drank chocolate as a bitter beverage during religious and social ceremonies, to the explosion and mass production of chocolate throughout Europe in the nineteenth century!

 

For centuries chocolate has symbolised: wealth, health and love across a diverse range of cultures as well as being the nation's favourite tasty treat of choice. The odyssey of chocolate aims to explore many aspects of the rich social significance of chocolate's history!

 

The workshop is suitable for all ages and includes sampling different variations of chocolate in it's modern form, as well as designing your own chocolate label.

 

 

Friday 13th and Friday 20th at 3pm

 

Nature Morte- Still Life In The Garret

This summer The Old Operating Theatre and Herb Garret museum will be hosting a programme of art themed workshops. Nature Morte is an educational activity that aims to use artistic practise to explore  medical artefacts. Each session will consider a range of historic objects taken from the museums handling collection and display exhibit, in an attempt  to trace the changing designs of equipment in the past two hundred year. The objective of this workshop is that by illustrating these artifacts it will enable participants with an understanding of how designs have evolved in line with medical progress.

The workshop will last just over an hour, paper and pencils will be provided by the museum. No experience of drawing is necessary and is open to all ages of children and adults.  

 

Tuesday 17th, Thursday 19th, Tuesday 24th at 12pm (noon)

 

BARBERS, BLOOD & BANDAGES
a children's interactive workshop to explore the 18th and 19th century medicine
!


What did people do before the invention of anaesthetic and antiseptic procedures?
Everyone is familiar with the red and white stripes outside of barber’s shops; but do you know what the rotating pole means?

 

*Booking is necessary for this talk and please check the programme or call for details as sometimes special events or private boolkings replace the regular talks on Saturdays.

 

 

Wed 18th, Wed 25th at 3pm and 4pm over 12 only

Gore Tour!

The House of Instruments

Hands on surgery! A tour of the museum through the instruments of the most horrible surgical procedures...

Dare to handle the harsh instruments of healing history!

 

 

Thu 26th August 3 pm over 15 only

 

The Herbs of the Dark Art- Herbs & Witchcraft

 

There has always been a strong fascinating relationship between herbs, folklore and even witchcraft in English countryside and in the rest of the world. Wise women and shamans often took the role of doctors in tribes and small rural villages using herbal remedies to cure physical and supernatural afflictions.

From the mandrake's scream to witches uguent join us for a talk on medicine & magic among the smells and spells of our atmopsheric garret.

 

 

Sunday 15th and 22nd of August

 

How Medicines Were Made From Plants

A talk and demonstration on historic herbal medicine. Learn some centuries old remedies that you can try at home!

 

 

 

Booking is strongly advised. Call 0207 188 2679

or email curator@thegarret.org.uk to reserve a place

 

 

 

EVENING LECTURES IN AUGUST

 

Thursday 12th August at 6.30 pm

"Vampires and Werewolves among us?
Legends and Scientific Reality"


by bioarcheologist and palaeopathologist Anastasia Tsaliki

 

Due to recent TV shows and films such as the Twilight Saga, there is an
increased popular interest on vampires and shape-shifters.

This talk will explore the fascinating origins and the folklore of the vampires
and the werewolves, but it will also study the reality behind these legends from
an archaeological and medical viewpoint.

Who were those accused and tried of vampirism or lycanthropy through history?
Where did they live?

Who was Dracula? Are there real vampires?

Come along to find out, but beware as this talk is not suitable for the faint-hearted and those under 15!

Over 15s £6 (no conc)

 

Enlightenment Surgery

Thursday 19th August at 6.30

William Cheselden, who could cut for the stone in 54 seconds!
Samuel Sharpe, the eye surgeon who could cut out your cataracts!


A talk about the rise of the scientific surgeon in the 18th century and the end of the Barber Surgeons Company.


Hear about some of the surgeons who joined the Royal Society and worked to elevate the status of the profession, their practice of the science of anatomy, the operations they developed and the instruments of surgery that they used.

Over 15s

£6 (no conc)

 

 

We are back again after the great success of last year!

SOLD OUT

May 15th at 6pm, 7pm, 8pm

Surgery by Gaslight & Other Medical Tales

Experience the fear and the emotion of a patient in the 19th century - come and have your leg amputated in the oldest surviving operating theatre in England.

When the light gets dim ... the surgery comes alive!

 

April 2010

EVENING LECTURES:

£10 per person (including a complimentary glass of wine)

Sir Hans Sloane: Enlightenment Surgery

Thursday 1st April 6pm-8pm

William Cheselden, who cut for the stone! Samuel Sharpe, the eye surgeon! The dissolution of the Company of Barber Surgeons and the rise of the scienific surgeon in the 18th century. Hear about some of the surgeons who joined the Royal Society and worked to elevate the staus of the profession, their practice of the science of anatomy and the operations they developed!

 

February 2010

Sunday 7th February

The Old Operating Theatre Museum at the Movies

The Museum will be projecting a series of edited highlights of short films and TV productions made in or about the Old Operating Theatre over the last 20 years.

 

It will include the amazing short film 'Unterschenkel-amputation', a 1903 film showing the speed of an amputation of a leg, courtesy of the Wellcome Library.

 

The films will be on from 1pm - 3.00pm with a break for a short talk on the Herb Garret at 2pm

THE ODYSSEY OF CHOCOLATE

In collaboration with the Royal Society's Local Heroes

 

logo

LOCAL HEROES

See further with the Royal Society in 2010 - celebrate 350 years of excellence in science

EVENTS FOR CHILDREN & FAMILIES:


Sir Hans Sloane: The Odyssey of Chocolate Workshop


Discover the fascinating story of chocolates long, rich history, from it's early usage by the ancient Aztecs, who drank chocolate as a bitter beverage during religious and social ceremonies, to the explosion and mass production of chocolate throughout Europe in the nineteenth century!

 

For centuries chocolate has symbolised: wealth: health and love across a diverse range of cultures as well as being the nations favourite tasty treat of choice. The odyssey of chocolate aims to explore many aspects of the rich social significance of chocolate's history!

 

The workshop is suitable for all ages and includes sampling the different variations of chocolate in it's modern form as well as designing your own chocolate label. The only requirement for entry; is a love of chocolate.


Sunday 14th February 2.pm

Treat yourself for Valentine's Day!


Tuesday 16th & Thursday 18th February 2pm


EVENING LECTURES:

£10 per person (including a complimentary glass of wine)

 

Sir Hans Sloane & Chocolate

Thursday 4th March 6pm-8pm

 

 

Wikipedia at the Old Operating Theatre Museum

On Sunday 28th February, the Museum is encouraging visitors to come and take interesting photographs of the Museum and the displays and to upload these to wikipedia. Details of the project and uploading can be found click here: or visit http://www.britainloveswikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

We are also hoping visitors and supporters will update the wikipedia page

wikipedialogo

SPECIAL EVENT FOR

NATIONAL PATHOLOGY WEEK NOV 2010

see below

 

 

HORRIBLE HALLOWEEN

HALF TERM
AT THE OLD OPERATING THEATRE

 

Monday 25th, Wednesday 27th and Friday 29th October at 2pm


THE PRESSURE of the KNIFE


The amputation was one of the great capital operations a 19th century surgeon might be called upon to perform. However it was not the only one...
From cutting for the stone and eye surgery to trephining and rhinoplasty,
a talk about the many operations of the early 19th century, the skilled surgeons who performed them,
the brave patients who endured them and the eager students who watched them.

 

Tuesday 26th and Thursday 28th October at 12pm


BARBERS, BLOOD & BANDAGES


An interactive workshop for children exploring 18th and 19th century medicine!
What did people do before the invention of anaesthetic and antiseptic procedures?
Everyone is familiar with the red and white stripes outside of barber’?s shops...
but do you know what the rotating pole means?

 

Tuesday 26th October at 2pm


THE MANDRAKE:
"Would curses kill, as doth the mandrake's groan"

(King Henry VI- William Shakespeare)

A talk on the magical and mythical plant that has enchanted generations of writers and artists thoughout time. A journey through the use of Mandrake in medicine, folklore and literature, from Shakespeare to Burroughs - from Doctors to Witches.
Join us for a fascinating exploration into the history of the so-called Satan's Apple.

 

 

Tuesday 26th October 7-8pm

admission £ 3

WHOSE BLOOD:  A PLAY IN DEVELOPMENT

Come along and be part of a play in the making! Visit the historic Old Operating Theatre and see a staged reading of a new play specifically being written and developed to be performed there in early 2011. The play, Whose Blood, is the story of two Ghanaian immigrants who come to London in the 1840s, and when one of them falls sick, they come to St Thomas' Hospital where an assistant surgeon proposes a radical new solution.  Whose Blood is a play of shifting desires and allegiances, all played out in a 19th Century Operating theatre."

 


Thursday 28th October at 2pm (over 15 only)


'ONE NIGHT WITH VENUS, A LIFETIME WITH MERCURY...'


19th Century literature and medical approaches to the disease of love and lust: syphilis.
A talk introducing the impact of syphilis in literary and medical culture, exploring
the different treatments available in hospitals, and the metaphorical influence the disease had on
European writing and poetry.

 

Saturday 30th October at 2pm


BREAK YOUR LEG AND DIE?
“A patient preparing for an operation was like a condemned criminal preparing for execution.”
A demonstration of an operation without anaesthetics or antiseptics, in Britain’s only
remaining wooden 19th century Operating Theatre.
How will you survive...?

 

Halloween; Sunday 31st October at 2pm (over 12s only)


BODY SNATCHER

Thoughout the 18th and early 19th century, surgeons and their students sought increased access to anatomy.
But with legal supplies of corpses limited, where could they get their subjects from?...
A talk on the history of the professional resurrectionists, the men who supplied the dissecting rooms of London from the graves of the city, the tricks of the their trade and the stories of their gruesome work.

 


Booking is strongly advised. Call 0207 188 2679

or email curator@thegarret.org.uk to reserve a place

 

 

NOVEMBER EVENTS

 

 

 

November Thu 4th 6.30- 8pm £6 NATIONAL PATHOLOGY WEEK

AUTOPSY

The Final Operation

As well as operating on the living, doctors have always examined the dead to find out more about how the body works and what can go wrong. This is your chance to find out what an autopsy involves and how it has changed over the centuries. You can meet a real pathologist and even handle some of the instruments they use. Join us to find out what doctors can learn from the dead – and how this can help the living.

 

feedback from the public:

"This was an excellent event – very interesting and enjoyable.

I loved how interactive it was.

Thank you for an amazing time"

 

.This event is part of National Pathology Week, which is organised by the Royal College of Pathologists and sponsored by Siemens.

www.nationalpathologyweek.org

 

 

Wednesday 10t November at 6.30pm

 

DEALING WITH THE DEAD

Sentiment Versus Efficiency?

Civilizations are often judged by how they treat the living, but perhaps almost as important is how they treat the dead. This talk, given by Gordon Museum curator Bill Edwards, explores means and methods used of deposing of the dead, from Cro-Magnon man up to the present day and beyond.

 

A talk by William Edwards, curator of the Gordon Musuem of Guys's Hospital

 

 

Lectures and Events held in 2009

 

 

EXPLORING THE INVISIBILE:

New Event at The Old Operating Theatre Museum & Herb Garret

 

4th - 7th December
8th December; A talk by the artist

A unique live installation and exhibition called “Exploring the Invisible” opens on December 3rd, displaying people and objects photographed using the natural light emitted by certain strains of bacteria.

 

Bioluminescent bacteria are widely used in scientific research, usually as internal markers. By inverting this practice and employing bacteria as an external light source, objects and bodies, surfaces and skin are exposed to the soft ethereal glow of the bacteria, establishing new points of contact and visual punctures.


The project is a collaboration between artist Anne Brodie, microbiologist Dr Simon Park and curator Dr Caterina Albano. It is funded by an Engaging Science Arts Award from the Wellcome Trust.


Using a strain of bioluminescent bacteria called Photobacterium phosphoreum,

the team has produced a series of portraits of objects, including some of

Joseph Lister’s personal papers.


Lister was an early pioneer of the use of antiseptics in surgery and the connection between bacteria and infections, together with the modern application in biomedical research of the bacterial gene responsible for emitting light, made it particularly fitting that bacteria should help to shed light – quite literally – on Lister’s life and work.


Among his papers, held at the Wellcome Library, are personal letters,

sketchbooks and scientific notebooks.


The project culminates in a live installation of work within the herb garret for one night only, and human photographic projections onto the ancient operating table at

the Old Operating Theatre, St Thomas Street, London SE1.


On December 8, the team will give a talk about their work

at the Old Operating Theatre.

October Events

HALLOWEEN HALF TERM HORROR!

For All

Monday 26th October at 2pm
Mary Seacole's Medical Workshop
in the Herb Garret of the Old Operating Theatre Museum

Have a go at making Mary's remedies and try them out on yourself, if you are feeling brave!Mary's remedies included; Infusion of Sage
Mustard plasters and poultices
and Ginger Root teaAlso, guava jelly and sarsaprilla tasting!


The Witches' Kitchen
Tuesday 27th October at 2pm
& Saturday 31st October (Halloween) at 3pm

There has always been a strong fascinating relationship between herbs, folklore and
even witchcraft in this country and in the rest of the world.

Wise women and shamans often took the role of doctors in tribes and small rural villages
using herbal remedies to cure physical and supernatural afflictions.

From the mandrake's scream to witches unguent, join us for a talk on medicine & magic among The smells and spells of our atmopsheric garret.

For Children

The Ghost Ward Trail...

.An eerie exploration of mysterious medicine
Take a map and follow the trail around the museum to uncover
the horrors of the hospitals of the past....

Macabre Medicine

Tuesday 27th October at 11am and 3pm

Wednesday 28th October at 11am, 2pm and 3pm

Friday 30th October at 11am, 2pm and 3pm

Saturday 31st October - Halloween - at 11am

Stories and activities for young witches and warlocks
...will the ghostly grey lady appear?

For the Adults

Saturday 24th October at 2pm
Tales of the Bodysnatcher
(not suitable for the under 12s)

Nineteenth Century surgical techniques advanced with knowledge gained by anatomical dissection.

Thursday 29th October 6pm-8pm
WITCHCRAFT, Women & Wickedness
a talk by Michael Doolan

This talk will discuss Anthropological approaches to magic and ritual.
Ideas from psychoanalysis will be used in an exploration of witchcraft
as an historical and contemporary social phenomenon.

This talk is not suitable for children
Contains material that some people may find upsetting

Tuesday 3rd November at 6.30pm

Autopsy: Myths, Legends and the Reality’

a talk by pathologist Maesha Deheragoda

For National Patyhology Week 2009

Are autopsies just like how they are shown on TV, or is there more to it?
At this interactive event, you will have the opportunity to engage with a pathologist who performs autopsies and find out how they help doctors understand more about disease, as well as treat living patients.

You’ll also have the chance to handle the instruments used in autopsies and work out what they are used for!

Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th September

Open House

Open House London is the Capital's largest architectural showcase, where 700 buildings of every conceivable type, shape and size will open their doors to Londoners completely for free.

The Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret are taking part in Open House again this year. Cathedral Group will also be opening the Church of St Thomas for the first time this year on Saturday 19th October.

Further information about London Open House is available at:

The OPEN HOUSE website

Click here for archive of 08 events

FEBRUARY EVENTS

Click here for March Events

In House-Exhibitions/Art Installation

THIS FATAL SUBJECT - 28th January - 29th February

Click here for further details

Live Demonstrations and workshops

Speed Surgery - Surgery in the 19th Century

Every Saturday 2.00pm

Click here for details

Herbs, the Garret and Operating Theatre

Every Sunday 2.00pm

Click here for details

Half Term Events (16th - 20th February)

Victorian Surgery

Monday 16th February 2.00pm

Victorian Surgery

Tuesday 17th February 2.00pm

SHEEP, SNAILS AND SHELLFISH

Wednesday 18th February 2.00pm

Click here for details

SHEEP, SNAILS AND SHELLFISH

Friday 19th February 2.00pm

Click here for details

Speed Surgery

Saturday 20th February 11.00am

Click here for details

Speed Surgery

Saturday 20th February 2.00pm

Click here for details

Speed Surgery

Saturday 20th February 3.00pm

Click here for details

   
Is it Scary - click here

 

 

 

DETAILS OF FEBRUARY EVENTS

Live Demonstrations and workshops

Speed Surgery - Every Saturday in February at 2.00 pm

A Live Demonstration of Surgery before Anaesthesia.

"I have broken my arm - I am a dead man!"

Demonstrations of Victorian Surgery, when operations were performed without anaesthesia and a patient's only relief from agony was the skill of the surgeon's knife.

Herbs, the Garret and Operating Theatre - Every Sunday in February 2.00 pm

A talk on the fascinating history of the Museum and its medical heritage.

VICTORIAN SURGERY

Monday 16th February and Tuesday 17th February

at 2pm

“A patient preparing for an operation was like a condemned criminal preparing for execution.”
A demonstration of an operation without anaesthetics or antiseptics, in Britain’s only remaining wooden 19th century Operating Theatre.
How will you survive...?


SHEEP, SNAILS AND SHELLFISH

Bizarre prescriptions & remedies that involved animals in ancient times .
Can a crocodile turn into a miraculous cure?

A workshop for kids that adults will love.


SPEED SURGERY

Saturday 21st February

at 11am, 2pm and 3pm

"I have broken my arm - I am a dead man!"

Demonstrations of Victorian Surgery, when operations were performed without anaesthesia and a patient's only relief from agony was the skill of the surgeon's knife.

A real amputation kit awaits...!

How will you survive?

In House-Exhibitions/Art Installations

THIS FATAL SUBJECT - 28th January - 29th February

A WELLCOME TRUST ARTS AWARD FUNDED PROJECT

by Gordon Museum Artists in Residence, visual artist Susan Aldworth wax sculptor Eleanor Crook, and Writer in Residence, poet Valerie Laws

This Fatal Subject is a very exciting and innovative project, in which the three resident artists, with the help and support of Professor Susan Standring at KCL and Bill Edwards at the Gordon Museum, are working with scientists at KCL and elsewhere, researching the physical process of dying.

This show consists of a few examples of individual and collaborative work, some of which are works in progress. Some notes on what is on display follow below.

FILM: CELL SUICIDE: A PLEASURE POSTPONED

Animated film by Susan Aldworth, animation and sound by Barney Quinton, featuring a visual poem which undergoes apoptosis by Valerie Laws. This collaboration, still in development, arose from our individual researches into the topic of programmed cell death.

ETCHINGS by Susan Aldworth

Apoptosis 1&2: etchings inspired by microphotographs of apoptotic cells. Original prints: etching and aquatint 35 x 50 cms

Dissollution 1,2&3: a triptych about the dissolution of identity from changes in the brain for people with Alzheimer’s. Original prints: etching and aquatint 65 x 50 cm

POEMS by Valerie Laws, artwork by Susan Aldworth

Litter of Moons, (shown by kind permission of Mslexia magazine), and Sirenomelia were inspired by specimens at the Gordon Museum. Benign and Leang Yen are about Lam Qua’s paintings, one of which is in the Gordon, the other at Yale. In the Dissection Room follows visits to dissection at KCL. From Fin to Fingers is on the theme of Apoptosis in the foetus.

WAX SCULPTURES by Eleanor Crook

The Failing Consciousness 2008. Work in progress – the sculpture will be cast in silicone rubber and fitted with an animatronic mechanism making it able to speak a deathbed speech written by Valerie Laws, then die.

This show represents the climax of Phase One of the project, which has been funded by the Wellcome Trust as a Research and Development Arts Award. During this year, the artists made contact with scientists, forged working relationships, and shared their research findings into this vital, and fatal subject. They have been collecting material and information for their work, and developing their artistic practices too. Aldworth, Laws and Crook work as three individual practitioners, but are also developing collaborative work which breaks down barriers between their different art forms.

Phase Two of This Fatal Subject is planned to begin in 2009, culminating in production of groundbreaking individual and collaborative work on the science of dying, which will form public exhibitions in London and elsewhere, as well as publication and performance. You will find updates on Phase Two on the website, www.thisfatalsubject.org. See also www.susanaldworth.com and www.valerielaws.co.uk.

March 2009 Events

May Events

National Family Week

family learning logo and link

Monday 25th
14.00 Calling all Surgical Cubs!
 Attend this family event with an iron will and strong stomach.Without anaesthesia amputation would have to be swift. St Thomas’ and Guy’s Hospital surgeons were strong and taught students to give mercy to the patient and remove the limb as quickly as possible.  Within the old operating theatre of 1822, the demonstrator will show harsh, but essential surgical methods using an original 19th Century surgical kit.


15.00 Speed Surgery
A surgical demonstration presented within the original architecture of the old operating theatre of St. Thomas’s Hospital of 1822. Before the advent of anaesthesia, an operation had to be swift. Without hand-washing or antiseptics, the chance of later infection was inevitable.

Tuesday 26th
14.00 The Apothecary Shop
As a trainee Apothecary (pharmacist of the 18th Century) you would have had to assess patients and create remedies. In the attic of St Thomas' Church take the chance to train as an apothecary, grind your own medicines, roll pills and discover weirdly wonderful tonics like Snail Water, but remember these are not just make-believe, these are real remedies of the past.

15.00 Speed Surgery
A surgical demonstration presented within the original architecture of the old operating theatre of St. Thomas’s Hospital of 1822. Before the advent of anaesthesia, an operation had to be swift. Without hand-washing or antiseptics, the chance of later infection was inevitable

Wednesday 27th
14.00 Calling all Surgical Cubs!
 Attend this family event with an iron will and strong stomach.Without anaesthesia amputation would have to be swift. St Thomas’ and Guy’s Hospital surgeons were strong and taught students to give mercy to the patient and remove the limb as quickly as possible.  Within the old operating theatre of 1822, the demonstrator will show harsh, but essential surgical methods using an original 19th Century surgical kit.

15.00 Speed Surgery
A surgical demonstration presented within the original architecture of the old operating theatre of St. Thomas’s Hospital of 1822. Before the advent of anaesthesia, an operation had to be swift. Without hand-washing or antiseptics, the chance of later infection was inevitable

Thursday 28th
14.00 Herbal Hospital
The hard work and passion of the apothecary and his poor assistants.
A demonstration of simple, effective, ancient processes for the transformation of herbs into medicine. Tablets, pills, poultices made the medical world go around…

15.00 Speed Surgery
A surgical demonstration presented within the original architecture of the old operating theatre of St. Thomas’s Hospital of 1822. Before the advent of anaesthesia, an operation had to be swift. Without hand-washing or antiseptics, the chance of later infection was inevitable.

Friday 29th
14.00 The Apothecary Shop
As a trainee Apothecary (pharmacist of the 18th Century) you would have had to assess patients and create remedies. In the attic of St Thomas' Church take the chance to train as an apothecary, grind your own medicines, roll pills and discover weirdly wonderful tonics like Snail Water, but remember these are not just make-believe, these are real remedies of the past.

15.00 Speed Surgery
A surgical demonstration presented within the original architecture of the old operating theatre of St. Thomas’s Hospital of 1822. Before the advent of anaesthesia, an operation had to be swift. Without hand-washing or antiseptics, the chance of later infection was inevitable

Saturday 30th

14.00 Victorian Surgery
Your leg is broken…it must be removed.
Bring in the surgeon, the instruments, the vicious tools of healing.
Three knives, a saw in a crimson velvet lined box…
How will you survive?

15.00 Herbal Hospital

The hard work and passion of the apothecary and his poor assistants.
A demonstration of simple, effective, ancient processes for the transformation of herbs into medicine. Tablets, pills, poultices made the medical world go around…

Saturday 6th June at 2.00pm
Part of 'Walking Weekend'
'The Story of Guys, St Thomas & Medicine in Southwark Guided Walk'
A walk through the history of two of the most important charitable hospitals of Victorian London.
The walk starts at the Old Operating Theatre Museum with a demonstration of 19th Century Surgery and a visit to the museum's Herb Garret and ends at the near-by Guy’s Hospital.

Saturday 13th June, at 1.00, 2.00 & 3.00 pm
"Leeches, Lancets and Toothpulling"
with Colonial Surgeon Richard Kennedy
Richard Kennedy is an author and historian who will talk about the differences in
the practice of medicine in the American colonies and the practice in London during
the same era. He will demonstrate the use of leeches, saws and chisels for amputation
without anaesthesia and the "latest" devices used for rotted teeth.

Saturday 13th June from 2.00 pm
Part of  'London on Film Weekend'
"The Old Operating Theatre Museum on Film, TV and Video"
A selection of appearances of the Operating Theatre in documentaries
and films will be projected from 2pm onwards.

Live Demonstrations and workshops

Speed Surgery - Every Saturday at 2.00 pm

A Live Demonstration of Surgery before Anaesthesia

Herbs, the Garret and Operating Theatre - Every Sunday 2.00 pm

A talk on the fascinating history of the Museum and its medical heritage.

Other events to be announced.