The Starr-Edwards valve was the first artificial mechanical valve used successfully in humans, and uses a ball-and-cage design to control the flow of blood. It was the product of a partnership between surgeon Dr Albert Starr, and engineer Mr Lowell Edwards. Hunterian Museum, RCSIC/E 90.0.1

How did Guillermo del Toro’s new Frankenstein film take inspiration from the Hunterian Museum? @realgdt.bsky.social

This 270-year-old pastel drawing vividly illustrates the journey of a hen's egg to a fully developed chick.   By Dutch artist Jan van Rymsdyk, they were made for John Hunter in about 1755, when he was investigating animal reproduction. It is likely that Hunter used the drawing for presentations.

This striking profile of a skull is thought to be by William Cheselden (1688–1752), a skilled surgeon who gained fame as a teacher of surgery and anatomy.

Found in an abandoned Italian Army surgical unit near Salerno, in south-west Italy, during the Second World War, this portable field kit contains around 40 stainless steel surgical instruments and a small alcohol burner.

In seahorses, pipefish, and seadragons (all part of the Syngnathidae family), males incubate their fertilised eggs in a specialised brood pouch until birth. Learn more with Tyler, Museum Supervisor at the Hunterian Museum.

Did you know that rattlesnakes give birth to live young? 🐍 Unlike many reptiles, rattlesnakes don't lay eggs. Instead, their embryos develop in eggs inside the mother's body, a process called ovoviviparity. The young are then born fully formed. 1/2

This is a turnip-tailed gecko, named after the shape and size of its tail (which this one is actually missing!) It was originally prepared by John Hunter (1728-93), to reveal the development of the ovum in the ovaries. RCSHC/3333 #historyofmedicine #historyofscience #museum

What can a jar tell us about the history of medicine? These beautiful drug jars, some over 400 years old, originate from across Europe. They once held remedies ranging from oil of roses to senna laxatives. Comment below if you want more information on any particular jar!

Job closing on Friday! 👇👇👇

This model bed is a prototype from 1873 that allowed a patient's bedding to be changed without disturbing them. It was designed by surgeon William Winchester, who also designed a clockwork amputation saw. Learn more with Hunterian Museum Curator Alice

These glass eyes were made by Mollie Surman of Kingston, Surrey in the mid 1900s. Surman was from a family of glassblowers and made her first 'eye' when she was 12. The main eye would be blown from white glass before other colours of glass were added in to make the iris, pupil, and veins.

This specimen is only part of a 4kg benign tumour (a salivary adenoma) that was removed from 37-year-old John Burley on 24 October 1785. The operation by John Hunter took just 25 minutes and Burley made a complete recovery. The drawings show him both before and after the operation.

This dental phantom was made around 1900 for dental students to practice their skills before treating real patients. A hat-maker’s dummy has been added to represent the head of the patient. The jaws contain removable brass teeth allowing various dental procedures to be practiced. (RCSIC/Z 149)

These are specimens of the common frog, showing the different stages of growth from a tadpole to a young frog. At the bottom is the tadpole stage with a tail and no limbs. As it grows the tail reduces and legs begin to appear, as shown in the top specimen. (RCSHC/3283)

This is a clockwork surgical saw from c.1850. Once wound up it would spin at a high speed, but there was no way to control the speed or stop it once it was going. This made it incredibly dangerous for both the patient and the surgeon. Luckily for everyone, it did not catch on.

This microscope slide is over 250 years old and was made by William Hewson (1739–1774). Hewson was a surgeon anatomist who made important discoveries about blood and the lymphatic system. He died from sepsis in 1774, aged 35, after injuring himself during a dissection. 1/2

📢Come and work at the Hunterian Museum 📢 RCS England Museums is seeking a dynamic, highly motivated and empathetic individual to develop, deliver and promote inspiring public and professional Museum engagement programmes, on site and online. 👇👇👇 hunterianmuseum.org/news/vacancy...

Due to ongoing essential maintenance work, the Hunterian Museum will remain closed until Friday 4 July. The Museum will reopen on Saturday 5 July. Our apologies for any inconvenience caused.

Ever wondered what's inside a snail's shell? Inside a snail's shell is most of its body, curled up, with the shell acting as a protective shield for its internal organs. These are Roman snails, named because they were a delicacy for ancient Romans. They remain popular in French cuisine today.

Looking forward to it! You can book your ticket for the Hunterian Event here: hunterianmuseum.org/events/natur...

What is a hernia? A hernia occurs when a part of the body protrudes into an abnormal position, ending up somewhere it shouldn't be. For example, this can happen when a section of intestine passes through a weakness in a person's abdominal muscles. 1/7

NEW EVENT 📅 Thurs 1 May, 18:30 - 20:00 Join us for an evening talk about the hidden stories behind the world’s iconic natural history museums, celebrating the launch of Jack Ashby’s new book, Nature’s Memory: Behind the Scenes at the World’s Natural History Museums. tinyurl.com/5n834ub8

The installation of the Long Gallery took two months and involved nine staff members, along with numerous ladders, trolleys, and crates. The Long Gallery displays over 2000 of John Hunter's original preparations. #behindthescenesatthemuseum #museumwork #specimens #hunterianmuseum #londonmuseum

Join us on Monday 7 April for a fun day for SEND families. Discover the mysteries of the human body through our interactive drop-in activities, with hands-on anatomy models, and historical surgical instruments in a dedicated learning space. Find out more and book your place: tinyurl.com/39uvmsum

This Thursday! Thursday 20 March, 6:30pm Join author Wendy Moore for a talk exploring the incredible story of Jack and Eve - two women who were suffragettes, life-long partners and heroes of the First World War. Find out more and book here: tinyurl.com/vtjk6x6x

Saturday is International Women's Day 2025 This is 'A Century of Women in Surgery', by Paul Cox, 2005 The surgeons observe an operation being performed - the dates above their heads indicate when they qualified as Fellows of the College. #internationalwomensday @collegeofsurgeons.bsky.social

NEW EVENT 📅 Thurs 20 March, 18:30 - 20:00 Join author Wendy Moore for a talk exploring the incredible story of Jack and Eve - two women who were suffragettes, life-long partners and heroes of the First World War who saved the lives of wounded soldiers. tinyurl.com/vtjk6x6x

Hello Bluesky! For the Hunterian Museum's first post, here is oscar-winning film director Guillermo Del Toro @realgdt.bsky.social sky.social giving his seal of approval to the Hunterian Museum 👇👇 Follow to learn more about the art and science of surgery from ancient times to the present day.