The Old Operating Theatre Museum & Herb Garret stands in the heart of London Bridge in Southwark. This area has a very long and at times colourful history. Gareth Miles, our education and outreach officer, will share with you pieces
Local History
Jigsaw Puzzles
The Old Operating Theatre Museum & Herb Garret is an authentic museum with a great aesthetic! We have transformed some of our most popular images into jigsaw puzzles that you can put together from the comfort of your home, using your
Medical Archives & Records
If you are seeking further information about St. Thomas’ or Guy’s Hospitals, the archives are held at the London Metropolitan Archives. If you are trying to find a particular Doctor, the records of Doctors trained at the hospitals (and Junior House
History of Medicine
Museums of Heath and Medicine – This page provides links to medical museums in London. Other Operating/Dissection Theatres: Bologna Anatomy Theatre Gustavianum Uppsala Teatro Anatomico, Padua Leiden Theatre (Dissection Theatre) Fenwick Operating Theatre, Kingston General Hospital Ontario. Etherdome, Massachusetts General Hospital
Herbal Medicine/Pharmacy
Museum of the History of Medicine – Drug Trade Exhibition The Herb Society.org.uk (The UK’s leading society for increasing the understanding, use and appreciation of herbs and their benefits to health). German Museum of Pharmacy – Heidelberg Herbal Wisdom – Information about various
Museums
Love London Museums London Museums OnLine 24 Hour Museum To save money visiting other Museums look at the London Pass The Science Museum Medical Collections Further links to museum subjects on CHR web site
Southwark & London
Southwark Discover London Bridge: Things to do, list of events in and around the Pool of London (area around Tower Bridge). Hays Galleria – the Larder of London turned into a shopper experience Dulwich Picture Gallery Southwark Cathedral Golden Hinde Southwark Links
Health, Medical & Education
Education Education on the Internet – Spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk BBC Schools online Kids Stuff Health and Medicine Links NHS Direct on line Health6.com – comprehensive health link directory
History of the Museum
The Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret is situated in the roof space of St Thomas’ Church. The Church was dedicated to St Thomas Beckett and it probably originated as a chapel of the medieval hospital, but it is not
History of Old St Thomas’ Hospital
St Thomas’ is one of London’s oldest hospitals. It has been providing shelter and relief to the sick and needy since the twelfth century. Founded as part of the Augustinian Priory of St Mary Overie (meaning over the river), it was
Top Hospital & Medical Facts
WHEN WAS THE HOSPITAL FOUNDED? St. Thomas’s was described as ‘ancient’ in 1215. It is named after Thomas Becket who died in 1170. It was probably originally part of the Monastery of St Mary Overie which was founded in 1100.
Old St Thomas’ Hospital A-Z of Herbs: A Historical Compendium
The Old Operating Theatre Museum & Herb Garret has a very extensive collection which includes the herbs that were used to make medicines at Old St Thomas’ Hospital. Since the first use of the garret was as a herb garret,
Surgery
This section looks at one particular branch of medicine surgery. Undergoing an operation in the 18th and 19th century was a terrifying experience for anyone – find out why!
Hospitals
This section explains how and why hospitals in Britain have dramatically changed overtime.
Diagnoses and Treatment
This section uses a variation of source material to show the different ways doctors’ and their patients’ understood sickness and the various methods used as treatment.
Cholera
This section examines why the cholera outbreaks in 19th century Britain were a crucial element in the development of public health.
The Foundations of Modern Public Health: The ‘Body’ and the Environment in Nineteenth Century London
In the beginning there was paradise: “Life was without evils, hard toil and grievous disease.” But all changed, according to the poet, “thousands of miseries now roam among men that bring evils to the mortals.” (Hesiod 700 BC) Yet by the mid-
The Scourge of the Nineteenth Century: Cholera in England (Part I)
The Scourge of the Nineteenth Century: Cholera in England (Part I) Comes, black as a porpus. The diabolus ipse, Call’d Cholery Morphus; Who with horns, hoofs, and tail, croaks for carrion to feed him, Tho’ being a Devil, no one never has seed