William Benjamin Stalker, or Bennie, was only ten years old when he was accidentally shot by his twelve year old brother in September 1901. His arm was severely damaged, and within two days it became gangrenous. Bennie was later sent to Kingston General Hospital from his home near Plevna, Ontario– an eleven hour trip. … More The Story of Bennie Stalk and his life-saving operation
The Story Advice manuals as a distinct form of literature began appearing as early as the 17th century. William A. Alcott (1798-1859) was a prolific 19th-century advice writer and proponent of vegetarianism with a keen interest in civil, social, moral, and religious reform. He wrote numerous manuals and guides addressing marital, domestic, cultural, financial, and health and … More The Young Husband (From the Collection #31)
The Story Cataracts are an opacity of the eye’s crystalline lens, found behind the pupil. This opacity stops rays of light from reaching the retina, causing blindness. The first recorded cataract surgeries occurred as early as 600 BCE. Couching, a process in which the cataractous crystalline lens is displaced inside the vitreous cavity of the … More Von Graefe’s Cataract Knife (From the Collection #32)
The Story For several thousand years urine was a, if not the, primary body fluid used in medical diagnoses. Physicians relied on their senses to assess patients’ urine and identify their ailments. Most commonly they studied its colour, smell, and amount of sedimentation. Taste could also be employed, but was used less frequently. Uroscopy began … More Urinometer (From the Collection #34)
The Story Before antibiotics and modern dental care, dentists had little choice but to remove a patient’s diseased tooth. The toothkey was developed in the early 18th century for tooth extraction. It consisted of a straight metal shaft with a handle of wood, bone, or ivory set at right angles to the instrument. The working … More Fox’s Toothkey (From the Collection #33)
Today, many remember Lydia Pinkham as a champion of women’s health and provider of important information to thousands of women. The formula of her Vegetable Compound changed over the years, and survives today in different, modern forms. … More The Story of Lydia Pinkham and her vegetable compound
However, as many lessons as I have learned, I have enjoyed this process for what it was. I was blown away by the interest, contributions, and support of the community towards this project, and my heart was warmed by the willingness of people to help wherever they could. It has truly been incredible to watch the amalgamation of two such impactful aspects of my life to create, what I believe to be, such an important project. … More Savannah’s Story
The Story Found in homes and hospitals, bedpans and urinals are practical aids for bedridden persons who cannot get up to use a toilet. Over time ‘male’ and ‘female’ designs evolved that increased a patient’s comfort and ease of use. Until the mid-twentieth century, student nurses training in hospitals had the necessary, but unpleasant job … More Female Urinal (From the Collection #27)
The Story Used by a new mother after the birth of a child, the postpartum binder was meant to restore the figure and keep the womb in its correct position. She wore the binder for 10 days after the birth and changed it daily. The midwife or physician bound up the post-partum woman by wrapping … More Scultetus Binder (From the Collection #29)
The Story For centuries, mothers have used a number of different tools to relieve the pain of engorged breasts, correct inverted nipples, and increase milk production. Women in Ancient Greece used ceramic cups called gutti (dual purpose pumps and feeding bottles) to express milk. A mother would fill the cup with water, place it over … More Breast Pump (From the Collection #30)
