Executive Committee

International Society for the History of Pharmacy

2 days ago

A Medieval Hippocrates Teaching Anatomy:

Mastro Rolando Capelluti, 'Chirurgia' (1290s)
Ms. 1382, f. 2r
Casanatense Library, Rome

The miniature features a series of figures with Hippocrates ('Ypocras') examining urine presented by an assistant ('Discipulus') in the presence of the patient; Hippocrates again, teaching a pupil to forge cauteries while others illustrate the application of various types of cautery.

The MS 1382 contains the complete commentary on Rugerdo Frugardo's "Chirurgia" (Surgery) written by Rolando Capelluti (also known as Rolando da Parma, c. 1198-1290) along with others medical writings such as Pietro da Compostella's treatise "De Diaeta". Rolando's work was possibly the first to be written completely in Latin and it became the basis of surgical teaching at the Medical School of Salerno (9th-13th century), the oldest medieval institution in Europe for the teaching and practice of medicine. The miniatures in this manuscript is one of the oldest known examples of scientific illustration. ... See MoreSee Less

International Society for the History of Pharmacy

2 days ago

Timeline PhotosMorison’s Vegetable Pills were a household name in the 1830s. Claiming to purify the blood, the pills became increasingly popular, leading to some people overdosing. Caricatures like this were a commentary on the resulting high-profile court cases.

#MuseumMonday #RPSMuseum ... See MoreSee Less

International Society for the History of Pharmacy

4 days ago

26 septembre : Fête de Côme et Damien.
Ici une broderie conservée au Musée Flaubert à Rouen ... See MoreSee Less

International Society for the History of Pharmacy

6 days ago

X-ray technician's hand showing damage from radiation exposure, c.1900. This photograph from the Royal London Hospital demonstrates just how damaging the effects of radiation exposure can be. X-rays were first discovered in 1895 by Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, but their dangers were not yet understood.

"The fingers show signs of chronic X-ray dermatitis, otherwise known as ‘Röntgen hands,’” says Kirsten Riley for an article on the Wellcome Collection's “Top Ten Creepiest Objects.” Early radiologists would calibrate their X-ray machines in a way that exposed their hands to dangerous radiation by sliding a hand slowly through the beam in thirty second intervals. Many technicians would eventually have to have their fingers amputated due to cancer.

Please note: the museum catalogue describes the person in this image as a "technician." Last time I posted this photo, there were people who got upset by this term, saying that it should be "technologist." I believe this might be a difference between British English and American English; or it may be that in the early 20th century, those who operated an x-ray machine were indeed referred to as "technicians." This is not a deliberate attempt by me to insult anyone. ... See MoreSee Less