These objects offer a hugely varied and rich source of material culture with a focus on physical therapies, from 18th century quackery and once orthodox practices like bloodletting to massage and other current treatments.
Therapeutics
1701-1800
Pewter enema syringe with vaginal nozzle, piston-action, 18th century
1992
Tin of 50 BM-Test 144 Glucose Test Strips manufactured, 1992, by Boehringer Mannheim GmbH, Germany
Nozzle for enema syringe
Leather bulb from enema syringe
Lancet, steel, in sheel sheath, 18th century
Laminaria tent, hollow, for dilating cervical canal
Pewter syringe, piston action
1980
5200 series implantable Unipolar cardiovascular pacemaker, type VV1, by APC Medical Ltd., Hertford, England, 1980
1901-1930
Electrotherapeutic machine, concentrating lens end holder, metal, European, early 20th century
1956-1966
"Cardiac Stimulator", a type of pacemaker designed at St. George's Hospital, London, made by Firth Cleveland Ltd., Glamorgan, c1961
Pessary, supportive, Barnes, tin, British, early 20th century
1870-1900
Richardson's galvanic amulet, de Boyeres' modification, brass steel, zinc and copper, 173 Boulevard Murat, Paris, France, 1870-1900. Inscribed on one side 'Galvani bieute GGDG Richardsons Double Courant' on the other side 'Magneto Galvanique F. de Boyeres Modele de pose 173 Boulevard Murat' From the De Mortillet Collection No. 3190
1871-1900
Tent introducer, steel, by Young of Edinburgh, late 19th century
Enema syringe with leather bulb, by Arnold and Sons, English
1852
Pewter enemea syringe, piston-action, from Dusseldorf, German, 1852
1880-1890
Grigg's electromagnetic machine mounted in box with room for 2 cells, conical coil cover with multicore, invented and patented by Griggs, made by J.R. Chislett, English, 1880-1890
1981-1991
Daily log book showing insulin dosages, blood and urine glucose levels, by Ames Division, United States, 1981-1991.
1950-1970
Vickers Hyperbaric bed system, The pressure bed can be tilted head up or head down. Approved to 30PSIG model.
1870-1910
Mouth gag, for use with stomach pump, English, 1870-1910
Horizontal induction coil with trembler arrangement and 4 terminals, on rectangular wooden base, probably English, 1880-1890
Induction coil mounted on wooden base with trembler, terminals and 3 way switch, possibly French, 1880-1890
1931-1940
Chrome steel gauge for controlling bread intake by a person with diabetes, used as a template for a slice of bread, unknown maker, 1931-1940
1801-1900
Pottery leech jar, with lid and iron clamp for lid, sides perforated for ventilation, 1801-1900
1871-1920
Pair of wooden exercise clubs, Indian, 1871-1920
1601-1900
Pewter bleeding bowl, 1601-1900
1916-1918
Oxygen apparatus, 4 sets, German, probably 1st World War, with instructions
1986
McDonald's Diabetic Diet Card, 'Information for the customer with diabetes', printed in England, 1986 (see note).
Leech cage, 1801-1900, brass
1775-1798
Arc used by Galvani
1980-1989
A prototype of the ‘Hincherton Hayfever Helmet’, a device consisting of battery powered fan, air filter and clear plastic bubble helmet, developed by Richard Hinchcliffe to prevent the onset of symptoms of hay fever, United Kingdom, 1980s
Resuscitator for reviving "persons apparently dead", English
1902-1930
Laryngeal syringe, Tobold, steel and glass, by Down of London, early 20th century
Maxim's Pipe of Peace and menthol inhaler, with accessories, in original carton, by John Morgan Richards and Sons Limited, 46 Holborn Viaduct, London, England.
1785
Resuscitator for reviving "persons apparently dead", labelled "Royal Humane Society 1774", English, 1785 onwards
Aspirator and accessories, cased, by Arnold and Sons, 35-36 West Smithfield, London, England.
Pessary, supportive, watch spring, rubber, by Down Bros, in cardboard box, early 20th century
1867-1925
Brass aural or bladder or mound syringe, piston action, Abernethy-type nozzle, by Evans and Co., 31 Stamford Street, London, England, 1867-1925.
1870-1901
Enema syringe with rubber bulb, by Weiss, English, 1870-1901
1956-1957
Super Pag atomiser and inhaler for cases of bronchitis and asthma, plastic and rubber, made by Riddell products of London and presented to Dr. Ellman, excellent condition, with instructions, spares list and invoice, English, 1956-1957
2010 - 2015
Dermalight phototherapy lamp used to treat dermatological conditions, made by A.L.T. GmbH, Zörbig, Germany, made between 2010 - 2015. Made of plastic, metal, glass.
1701-1900
Pewter bleeding bowl, graduated, 19th century
1831-1840
Leather bulb from enema syringe, c.1835
1875-1900
Pulvermacher hydroelectric chains, set, in case, late 19th century
Pewter inhaler, 19th century
Ivory enema syringe, with wooden handle, piston-action, 18th century
Vaginal douche, cased
1990
Pack of five 1.5ml Penfill Test Medium for investigational use with the Novopen insulin delivery systems. Manufactured by Novo Industri A/S/ Denmark (1990).
c.2010
ActiGait system, used for functional electrical stimulation of the lower leg and foot, made by Otto Bock Healthcare Products, Austria, c.2010. System comprises a heel switch, implantable stimulator, antenna to be positioned over the implant and a control unit that can worn at the hip or carried in a pocket.
1993
Heartmate left ventricular-assist device, non-working, an implantable device used to assist the failing heart in patients waiting for heart transplants, by Thermo Cardiosystems Inc, USA, 1993
2018
Micra™ Transcatheter Pacing System delivery kit, enters through the femoral vein to gain access to the patient's heart, developed and manufactured by Medtronic Limited, 2018
