Autopsy kit on Temporary display at The Infirmary

Over the last four months I have been preparing a display, featuring an autopsy kit, at The Infirmary for my work placement at the University of Worcester.  The kit is currently on loan from the George Marshal Medical Museum. I estimate the kit was in use from the late 19th century.  Professional autopsies became more widely practiced after the 1832 Anatomy Act, which lessened the restrictions on the supply of bodies to dissect. This was indicated from the simplistic design of the tools, as well as the box. The mahogany box with brass buckles, was the fashion from the 19th to early 20th centuries.  ‘J. Hague London’ was inscribed on most of the items, but I have not found any records so far as to indicate who this manufacturer was.

Hook showing the manufacturer 'J Hague. London'

On my first day I was taken into the room where items were stored and shown how to safely handle objects, especially these with blades  This was a completely new and exciting experience, so I was shown the procedures used in storing and keeping track of items.  To find out about the autopsy kit, I went to the George Marshal Medical Museum at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital to look through catalogues of medical equipment.  One catalogue dated back to 1844, so I had to place them on large pillows to support the spines.  The catalogues helped me narrow a point to when the kit is likely to have been in use and the names for the various instruments.  When I was putting up the display the biggest challenge was deciding how to arrange each of the pieces. I wanted to make sure everything was easy to see, but also to use the space evenly, to allow visitors a professional standard of quality.

Mahogany Box with Autopsy Kit 

I look forward to receiving feedback on the display.  Feel free to get in contact with The Infirmary to let us know what you think.  It would also be great if you know of any interesting facts about autopsies in the past or maybe something relating to this kit itself.

Stefan Simpson-Soye, Joint Honours History And Joint Politics: People & Power

WELCOME TO THE TEAM, LAURA!

A little something from our newly-appointed Engagement Fellow, funded by the British Society for the History of Science.

"I applied for the BSHS Engagement Fellowship as I am interested in how the influenza pandemic of 1918-1919 impacted social, cultural, medical, and commercial spheres. The subject tags onto my PhD research in the History of Medicine, which focuses on commercial healthcare products between 1870-1920.

"I am intrigued by the fact that, during the pandemic, a number of advertisements for branded medicines claimed to prevent or cure the ‘flu, playing on consumers’ fears. I plan to uncover the local response to the pandemic by researching the impact it had on the Worcester area. The opportunity to work closely with archival material and turn research into different outreach outputs will help me develop my own skills; I aim to gain experience in interpretation and public engagement within the museum sector.

"I am also looking forward to collaborating with Louise at the GMMM, as well as volunteers, on this timely and important project in the centenary year of the pandemic, and am eager to create outputs that challenge visitors' perceptions of the First World War, by highlighting that disease had a greater impact on the death toll than combat."

Laura Mainwaring

Medical history of Worcester through the public eye & the significance of Charles Hastings.

A placement week may be seen by some as a chance to get more experience in the field you want to work in, or for others may be seen as something you have to do. But, I can assure you, after my week at The Infirmary, a placement week means much more. During my placement week, as part of being a Univeristy of Exeter History student,  I was given the exciting task to explore other museums/educational sites in Worcester. Through visiting other museums and tours in Worcester, I have experienced the interconnectivity of the history shared, and learnt vast amounts of history about my home city. One of the most significant figures who was shared across the museums was Charles Hastings, founder of the Provincial Medical and Surgical Association, which later became known as the British Medical Association (BMA). The guided city tour with Worcester Walks beginning at Guild Hall, made links with Charles Hastings as did the Tudor House and Museum and Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum. Therefore, I became quickly educated on the history of The Infirmary and BMA through visiting other places, whilst having an amazing time! 

Firstly, I began with the guided city tour with Worcester Walks, which began outside Guild Hall and progressed to the river side, the back of the Cathedral and then ended on Angel Street. Our guide was a woman named Miriam, who was actually a nurse during the time the Charles Hastings Building was in fact the Worcester Royal Infirmary. As you can imagine, I was very enthusiastic about hearing her words on the Infirmary and what life used to be like, especially being a nurse herself! The tour was very informative and took us on a beautiful walk around the city. Although, I would recommend you feel awake and prepared to take it all in as it is a lot of information, and also a long walk (especially when it rains). When we arrived outside of the Cathedral, Miriam pointed us towards one of the stained glass windows and recalled the story of Charles Hastings. Immediately I made the link between the Infirmary and the Cathedral, as Miriam highlighted the significance of Charles Hastings with his contribution to medicine and formation of what we know as the British Medical Association today!

Following on, I then visited the Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum, just past Foregate Street. I was greeted by a lady in a reconstructed Chemist exhibit, known as ‘Steward’s Chemist Shop’. This showed a fantastic collection of different pharmaceuticals used from 1876 till the shop closed in 1973. Medicine again! This was definitely the most authentic and interactive elements to the museum that I enjoyed. Whilst walking round, I spotted a familiar face in a portrait painting held on a wall, Charles Hastings. Another link to the Infirmary! Wandering round the exhibition you feel like you are literally travelling through time with all of the different soldier’s costumes.

The following day I visited Tudor House museum, a building consisting of three houses all dating back to the 16th century. Here, we were given a tour of the museum with great detail into each object. Each room is set up as a different style, either a bathroom, kitchen, dentists/doctors, with amazing objects to suit. The display of how the wall was made is fascinating and gives the audience a real insight into the foundations of the building. In the section for the famous people of Worcester was Charles Hastings, complete with his life story, which was great to see. Overall, I think the Tudor House museum is a great way to explore history as the set up helps you experience the reality of how it was when it was used. Similar to the Infirmary, Tudor House relies on volunteers to help keep it running which demonstrates the amazing work these volunteers are doing with the quality of the museum!

The Commandery was one of my final visits during my placement, and what a magnificent end! The Commandry is a grade I listed building, with over 800 years of history and most famous for being the Royalist Headquarters during the Battle of Worcester 1651 in the Civil War. The Commandery was the only place where I couldn’t find a link to Charles Hastings. However, the Commandery offered spectacular views of the garden (especially when the sun is shining) and a great insight into the Civil War and Battle of Worcester. There were hats to try on, swords on show and some amazing architecture which really promoted the museum. I would argue that the Commandery was more suited to older audiences, rather than younger, because of the style and layout.

The Infirmary was my favourite museum I visited in terms of interactivity and engagement, some potential bias there, as it is filled with amazing touch screens to listen to oral histories, and models of bodies etc. The constant music of Elgar playing in the background really links to Worcester’s history, creating a positive environment to the museum. A medical atmosphere is accomplished with the sound of a surgical beep in the background, transforming the guests experience. Once again, the audience are really catered for from old to young, with more recent history for those who would remember, and interactive models and games for children to get involved in. Considering the space given is significantly small, the museum has accomplished in educating and accommodating for its audiences. And of course, Charles Hastings! The building itself is named ‘The Charles Hastings Building’ and there are vast amounts of information on him too!

Holly Ashley

University of Exeter, Placement Student