The Old Operating Theatre Museum & Herb Garret sits near London Bridge, and was originally part of St Thomas' Hospital. One of the oldest hospitals in London, it started life as part of the Augustinian Priory of St Mary Overie, founded in 1106 by Bishop Giffard of Winchester. When, in 1862, St Thomas' Hospital moved from its ancient Southwark site- to make way for a railway line to Charing Cross- the old opearating theatre was sealed up, and lay dormant until its rediscovery in 1956. It was restored and opened as a museum in 1962.
The Old Operating Theatre & Herb Garret are situated in the roof space of St Thomas' Church. There has been a church associated with the hospital on this site since medieval times, although the current rebuilding dates from 1703. It stopped being used for worship in 1899, and was then used as a Chapter House for Southwark Cathedral, before becoming utilised by an insurance company and a property development company.
You have to climb 52 stairs up this spiral staircase to reach the museum...
In 1956 Raymond Russell- an organologist and antiquarian- was researching the history of old St Thomas' Hospital and decided to investigate this attic space, finding the garrett in darkness and the shell of the operating theatre intact.
It is believed that the use of St Thomas' Church garret for the hospital apothecary to store herbs dates back to its construction...
As you enter, and the Herb Garret is literally packed to the rafters with interesting objects relating to medicine and healing...
It is believed that the use of St Thomas' Church garret for the hospital apothecary to store herbs dates back to its construction...
Dried "opium" poppy heads and hooks, ropes and nail holes were all discovered in the 1970s, offering evidence of its former use...
Herbs have been used for medicines since ancient times. Indeed, many modern medicines originate from plant sources.
You are reminded to enjoy these with your eyes and not your hands!
The dangling, clotted bood-like sculpture is part of a series of artworks by Bookscapes Collective. The exhibition discusses the theme of superstition in historic and modern medical practice.
Themes such as protection from malevolent forces, amulets, tempting fate, knotwork and the written word are explored within the context of sickness, health and wellbeing.
Anatomy & Dissection section...
Skeleton...
Inside the human body...
More anatomical figures...
Amotomical drawings plus an empty specimen jar.
In this section there is also a large glass specimen cabinet, containing delights such as pieces of brain and a partial colon and appendix. But we are reminded that these once belonged to living, breathing human beings, and to show respect by not taking photographs.
Cabinet of delights...
Poisons, and belladonna (deadly nightshade) gets a mention...
This whole place reminded me of Miss Havisham's bridal chamber!
Coloured medicine bottles at the barred windows really add to the somewhat mystical atmosphere of the herb garret...
I visited just before Halloween, and references to this time of the year when the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest were installed around the shelving...
Pills and powders...
Physicians and Diagnosis, and bloodletting is explored in this cabinet...
More bloodletting...
The Apothecary...
In the Apothecary section you can learn about pill making...
Infant care...
Medical intruments pertaining to the the midwife, including forceps...
This scintillating-looking thing on the wall is a cervical dilator. Crikey!
The domestic medicine chest...
I remember expolring a building site as a kid, and digging up some medicine bottles like these. I washed them and they stood on our utility room windowsill for years.
Plaster skull...
More Halloween delights, including a plague mask...
Remedies for the Mind, Body & Soul...
Quantities of herbs would have been purchased from the visiting "herb woman." The hospital also had its own botanic garden and apothecary's shop situated within its grounds.
The apothecary was the chief resident medical officer of the hospital, and responsible for prescriptions for surgical cases. In the absence of the physician, he was also responsible for dispensing medicines to all of the hospital's patients.
Ophthalmic cabinet...
In the centre of the cabinet is a Nurse's Chatelaine, and it was suspended from her belt and contained essential objects required for her to carry out her duties.
This is a portable bedside font. Let's be honest and realistic here- children often died during infancy back then, and therefore had to be christened quickly if the chances of them passing soon was a real threat. It's sad, but realistically true.
False leg, and amputations were carried out in the Operating Theatre.
Venereal disease mercury treatment.
Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries (and before!) syphilis was a real threat, with one in five patients at the hospital diagnosed with the disease.
This is part of the art installation, and represents cloths used during operations.
Antiseptic cabinet in the antechamber, as we walk to the Old Operating Theatre...
After the 1846 introduction of ether as anaesthetic, it's thought that patients were anaethetised in this area; to spare them the alarm of being brought into a theatre full of students.
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This operating table dates from 1905, and comes from a different hospital.
Surgical instruments, and the Old Operating Theatre dates from 1822. It was entered directly from Dorcas ward, and was for women.
More operating implements; and when the old hospital was moved, many of the buildings were demolished. The doorway which led from the Operating Theatre to the Herb Garret was bricked up, totally sealing the theatre off.
This is the oldest surviving operating theatre in England, and when Raymond Russell investigated the Herb Garret in 1956, he found that although part of the Operating Theatre had been removed, the outlines of the standings still existed.
The theatre was restored authentically, and it really is a marvellous place to visit!
The operating table is 19th century and was donated by University College Hospital. Distinguished visitors would have been seated on chairs or stools like these featured.
Instruments and surgical equipment would have been laid out on the table...
The last time I was here you could lay on the table if you so chose, but this time the saw acted as a deterrent!
There is a washstand to the right, and some history to the left.
The Operating Theatre would have been full of medical people; with apprentices and Dressers (junior doctors or medical students training in surgery) of the operating surgeon around the Table, the Dressers of the other surgeons in the first three rows, and the Surgeon's Pupils in the rows above.
The inscriptions above the door are copied from the men's operating theatre at St Thomas', but there is no evidence that they were ever placed here- they're just to add ambience.
The five rows of the Operating Theatre would have been packed, with some sightseers verbally encouraging those around the operating table to move their heads so that they could see. Sometimes, the room had to be partially cleared before the surgeon could operate!
This fascinating place is certainly worth an hour of your time, and I'm so glad it's been discovered and maintained. I will return, but until then...
TTFN,
Miss Elaineous
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