Three pairs of ‘Lion tooth’ bone forceps, designed by Sir William Fergusson, Serjeant Surgeon to Queen Victoria. The forceps were designed for the removal of the maxilla, they also help the surgeon to grip relatively small segments of bone to hold them firmly.

This wooden mouth gag (or prop) from the 19th century, would have been inserted in a gap between the teeth & screwed so that the patient opened their mouth. With the gag in place the mouth stayed open, this was particularly useful if the patient had a condition such as lockjaw.

Gertrude Herzfeld died #OTD in 1981. In 1920, she was the first woman to be appointed honorary Assistant Surgeon to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh. You can read about how she inspired the career of another surgeon here: bit.ly/2NgQWV4

This mustard plaster tin from the early 20th century was manufactured by Johnson & Johnson. Mustard plaster is a poultice of mustard seed powder spread inside a cloth dressing. It is applied to the chest or abdomen to help stimulate healing.

This Freyer's Evacuator was used to wash out bladder stone fragments or prostatic chips after lithotrity. This was created by Peter Freyer (1851-1921) and is a modification of Bigelow’s Evacuator.

Our curator is part of this interesting discussion on zoom tomorrow hosted by @surgeonshall.bsky.social Get your tickets here to tune in! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dissecting...

James Young Simpson died at the age of 58 #OTD, 1870. Simpson is known for discovering the anaesthetic properties of chloroform. His family were offered a burial spot at Westminster Abbey but they turned it down, opting to bury him at Warriston Cemetery in Edinburgh.

This is a Septal occluder. In cases where a hole in the heart, or atrial septal defect, is present, a device like this can be inserted via a catheter during minimally invasive surgery. Once in the hole, it is opened up like a double sided umbrella either side of the atrial wall sealing up the defect

For #TriviaTuesday this week we have this object from the 21st century. It is 3.5 cm in diameter and 1.25 cm in height. What is it?

Join us for a thought-provoking Zoom talk exploring the complex and often sensitive intersections of museums, heritage, and death, through the lens of contemporary practice and research. More info 👇 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dissecting...

This Archimedean drill uses a screw with a very coarse thread and a central shaft that can be turned by hand. Precise action would be almost impossible with this drill.

Our sensory friendly early openings provide an opportunity for those who need a quieter environment to enjoy our Museum without the hustle and bustle of the general public. Spaces are limited and booking is required. For full information, please visit: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sensory-fr...

At first, physicians gave chloroform to patients by holding a cloth over their mouth and nose. They used a drop bottle to put a small amount of the drug onto the cloth.

Born #OTD 1791 Fellow of our College William Mackenzie. Mackenzie was a renowned ophthalmologist and founder of the Glasgow Eye Infirmary. He was appointed Surgeon-Oculist in Scotland to Queen Victoria in 1838. #ophthalmology #OnThisDay

This is a stainless steel trilite inhaler, developed during WWII for self-administration of the anaesthesia trilene. Used for casualties of war and had some success in obstetrics. #TriviaTuesday

For #TriviaTuesday this week we have this object. It is from the 20th century and when both components are put together it measures 18 cm in length. Any ideas what it is?

This is one of Joseph Lister's original bandages soaked in carbolic acid solution. Carbolic acid, also called phenol, was at this time extracted from coal tar. The acid therefore had a similar smell to road tar on a hot day.

In our latest episode of Beyond the Knife, we are joined by Dr Aaron Allan who explores the early formation of the Incorporation of Barber Surgeons in Edinburgh. You can listen to Beyond the Knife wherever you get your podcasts! shows.acast.com/beyond-the-k...

If you are too far away to visit the museum our Learning Team are pleased to offer a free live online version of their History of Medicine (Secondary) and Surgery in the Past (Primary) workshops For more information about free live online workshop for schools please email [email protected]

This catalogue of army regulation medical and surgical field equipment by Savory and Moore dates from the late 19th century.

These knives are designed for cutting the crescent-shaped disks of fibrocartilage that is attached to bones (meniscus). The blades vary from long and flat, tapering and straight, concave, or v-shaped ends. These knives are typically used for orthopaedic procedures.

Over the last couple of months we’ve had Anthony, Haven, and Tilly volunteering with us to help organise the College gift collection. Their final day with us was last week, when they put together a small exhibition showcasing some of the gifts from the collection.

This anaesthetic face mask was used to administer ether. It was made in Edinburgh in 1847 at Ford's Flint Glass Works.

This microscope was made by the Beck brothers in London, with the lenses designed according to formulas done by Joseph Lister’s father, Joseph Jackson Lister. These new lenses significantly improved image quality and significantly enhanced the microscope as a scientific tool.

This is an aortic punch used in heart surgery to create precise, circular holes for vein grafts. #TriviaTuesday

Tune into Britain's Murder Map tonight and you might see some familiar places and faces 👀 tinyurl.com/mw7b7v64

For the final #TriviaTuesday of the month we have this instrument from the 21st century. It is 15 cm in length. Do you know what it is?

A truss is a device with a supportive area (in this case, the wooden block) worn to prevent enlargement of a hernia or the return of a reduced hernia. This one is of Turkish design and came from Aden, a seaport city in Yemen.

We're days away from the opening of our new temporary exhibition Edinburgh: City of Medicine- 300 Years of Edinburgh Medical School! You'll be able to see it for yourself from Friday. The exhibition will run until Easter 2027.

This model of a brain has articulated anatomical sections for teaching. We don't know how old this model is but it is thought to date from the 1870s and was used by four generations of a medical family!

In this episode, we’re joined by author and Neuropsychologist Andy Ellis. Andy explores General Paralysis of the Insane, a devastating neurological condition that once baffled the medical world. Listen wherever you get your podcasts! feeds.acast.com/public/shows...

Our new events programme has launched! Our spring programme is incredibly varied- from vaping to 300 years of Edinburgh Medical School. 🧵👇

We're back with another #TriviaTuesday object! This one is from the 20th century and is 7.5 cm in height and 5.5 cm in diameter at its base. What is it?

This looks like it belongs in the garden but it is a tin spirit lamp is from the 19th century . It was used to burn the air in cupping glasses prior to their application to the skin. The cooling of the air is thought to create a suction effect so the cups stick to the skin.

These six ophthalmic instruments once belonged to Robert Liston. They were produced by Archibald Young, Edinburgh

For #WordOnWednesday this week we are looking for a word you would find in our Pathology Gallery. Can you work out what it is?

📢Find out about the history of the Library of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh at next Tuesday's lunchtime talk at 1.15 pm @surgeonshall.bsky.social www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lunch-time...

Visitors to the Museum and @rcsed.bsky.social will now see 'Eleven Surgeons' by Kirstin Mackinnon, commissioned as part of a project on the history of women in surgery. Learn more about the surgeons in the portrait here: guides.bloombergconnects.org/en-US/guide/...

Surgeons' Hall Museums Heritage team are conducting oral history interviews to capture experiences of the development of women in surgery. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4sx0v5s #IWD2026 #GiveToGain

A well earned rest for the Doctor and his Dog on #WorldSleepDay (painting by Joseph Denovan Adam, c.1919)

Do you keep all your receipts? We're glad Mr Clark did! We recently came across this purchase invoice from 1924 in a box of dental polishers! . It tells us exactly where and when they were purchased, and for how much which is pretty rare to know!

📢 Calling all teachers If you are a teacher interested in bringing a group to visit our museum, why not join us for a free familiarisation visit? For more information about free teacher tours please email [email protected]

The answer to #WordOnWednesday this week is Louis Pasteur.

For #WordOnWednesday this week we are looking for a name you would find in our History of Surgery gallery. Can you solve the anagram?

This is a swab carrier used to swab deep inside body. #TriviaTuesday

Happy #TriviaTuesday! Our object this week is from the 20th century and is 40 cm in length! Any ideas what it is?

Uncover the city mapped by medicine in our new temporary exhibition in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh. Edinburgh City of Medicine: 300 years of Edinburgh Medical School will open on Friday 3 April. museum.rcsed.ac.uk/the-collecti...

#ICYMI, our latest episode of Beyond the Knife delves into the history of the Edinburgh Seven, exploring how supporters and opponents influenced the campaign for women's access to medical education at the University of Edinburgh. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. tinyurl.com/yd8nzsd6 #IWD2026

Our former Conservator, John Goodsir died #OTD in 1814. He was credited with being the first to introduce the compound microscope to Edinburgh and was a pioneer of cell theory. You can read more about his contributions on our blog: bit.ly/2BH9fye

This upper denture is from the 1920s. The plate is made of gold with soldered porcelain anterior teeth and porcelain tube posterior teeth.