Nature of medicine

The timing of this latest exhibition is perfect considering the global pandemic we’re experiencing, writes Lucien de Guise

MEDICAL displays aren’t always the biggest attraction at museums. The sight of rusty amputation saws or devices for inexplicable procedures is enough to have most adults heading straight for the knitting and needlework section. They don’t have to be like this, though.

I used to think the finest example must be the Hunterian Museum in London. Being located in the middle of the Royal College of Surgeons, which unfortunately is undergoing a major renovation, means it won’t be open again until next year.

Malaysia provided a ground-breaking alternative in 2019. Al-Tibb: Healing Traditions in the Islamic World at the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia provided almost a year of insights but is over now.

The catalogue is still a treasure store of information and images, much of which was the result of collaborating with Wellcome Institute — one of the UK’s greatest contributions to medical knowledge. For those who want to view Islamic healing in the flesh, so to speak, some of the exhibits are on permanent display in Taman Tasik Perdana.

In the meantime, the Science Museum has opened a new gallery, which turns out to be the largest of its type in the world. With the assistance of the Wellcome Institute, once again, there is still some of the chill factor although the squeamish can avoid anything too nightmarish. Children don’t seem to mind the reality of human anatomy as much as adults. It’s easy to distract them anyway.

Tobacco was at one time considered a health tonic although the maker of this tobacco box seems to have had doubts about it.

A talismanic medicine bowl from Iran.

Inspired by Islamic medicine, the practical shape of the waisted albarello jar became popular in Europe.

A 15th century amputation saw.

A sample of the actual penicillin mould created by Alexander Fleming.