Archibald Pitcairne died at the age of 60 #OTD in 1713. Pitcairne led the first recorded legal public dissection in Scotland when he dissected the remains of David Myles in 1702. The man leading the dissection in this painting is believed to be Pitcairne.

#ICYMI we will be joined by emergency medic, Dr Tony Bleetman for @rcsed.bsky.social Christmas lecture. This event is free for school pupils from S4+. If you would like to come along or bring your class, please email [email protected] to book your place!

The answer to #WordOnWednesday this week is Padua.

The answer to #WordOnWednesday can be found in our History of Surgery Museum. Can you solve the anagram?

We have lots of student notebooks containing sketches on anatomy, diseases etc, however, this one is by far our favourite. It shows Joseph Lister, father of antiseptic surgery, disappearing through a trapdoor after his lecture in Glasgow in 1868. Now that's how to make an exit! #Museum30 #Sketchbook

Last night, we were joined by Professor Ralph BouHaidar for a talk on the changing role and training of forensic pathologists. Professor BouHaidar will be joining us again later this month for An Evening with Surgeons’ Hall.

This set of 6 instruments belonged to William Walker, the first Ophthalmic Surgeon to be appointed to the Royal Infirmary and held the appointment of Surgeon Oculist to Queen Victoria. The case includes some corneal splitting knives and an iris hook.

Murder, mystery and medicine! Louise Wilkie uncovers how Scotland’s first forensic pioneers brought science to the courtroom in our latest episode of Beyond the Knife. Available wherever you get your podcasts! shows.acast.com/beyond-the-k...

A plate from “Engravings, Explaining the Anatomy of the Bones, Muscles, and Joints” by Scottish surgeon-anatomist John Bell FRCSEd, published in 1794. Bell illustrated his own works based on dissections he carried out in his Edinburgh anatomy school.

Novocaine has been used as a local anaesthetic from the early 20th century. Previous to this, cocaine was one of the most commonly used local anaesthetics.

The answer this week is hepatobiliary! #WordOnWednesday

Our #WordOnWednesday this week can be found in our Wohl Pathology Museum. Can you work out what it is?

This is an ArtoTrainer. The equipment is used alongside an online course designed for those who start in arthroscopic surgery, which allows them to perform the first basic manoeuvres of arthroscopy such as arthroscopic knots.

For the final #TriviaTuesday of October we have this interesting looking object from the 21st century. It was designed in Spain and is 32 cm in width and 16 cm in depth. What is it?

Next week, we will be joined by Ralph BouHaidar, Personal Chair of Forensic Pathology at the University of Edinburgh, for a talk on the changing role and training of forensic pathologists. Tickets are very limited! Book your place here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/from-scalp...

How it started vs how it’s going Happy three year anniversary to my lovely @alfredso.bsky.social ! Our elopement was one of the best days of my life. Thankfully he’s never dragged me away from a museum (especially not my fav @surgeonshall.bsky.social), or I wouldn’t have made it down the aisle!

These little tools are apple scoops. They date from the 1800s and are made of sheep bone. They were common in apple-growing districts. The marrow has been hollowed out to allow the user to scrape off pieces of apple if they had few teeth and couldn’t afford dentures.

The skeleton restoration drop-in session has been rescheduled and will now take place on Thursday the 11th of December. You will have the opportunity to observe our Human Remains Conservator in action and discuss with her the intricacies of preserving skeletons like these.

The answer to #WordOnWednesday is Edinburgh Seven!

You would find the answer to #WordOnWednesday in our temporary exhibition. Can you work out the answer?

This is a Kilner Dott mouth gag used during cleft palate repairs to prop the mouth open while holding down the tongue. There is a groove on the tongue depressor which holds the anaesthetic tube firmly in place. #TriviaTuesday

Our #TriviaTuesday object this week is from the 1990s. It is 16.5 cm in length and 9 cm wide. Do you know what it is?

Copper and brass spray possibly used to spray carbolic acid during surgical procedures. It could be pressurised by pumping the handle on the lid.

Unfortunately, we have had to postpone the skeleton restoration drop in session due to take place next week. We are working on rescheduling a new date for this which we will share as soon as we have it. We apologise for any inconvenience.

This is a replica of the mortar used by Gilbert Primrose, the well-known surgeon to King James VI of Scotland. The President of the College commissioned it in 1851.

We are now taking bookings for the 2025 @rcsed.bsky.social Christmas lecture. This year we will be joined by emergency medic, Dr Tony Bleetman, who will explore the evolution of pre-hospital care. This event is open to school pupils from S4+. Please email [email protected] to book your place!

It's #WorldAnatomyDay! To celebrate here's a stunning woodcut illustration from our first edition of "De Humani Corporis Fabrica" by Andreas Vesalius. Published in 1543 the book was a major breakthrough in the development of modern anatomy.

This is a Kollmann’s dilator. It would be used to open up a urethra that may have become closed (also known as a stricture). It is inserted into the urethra & the expanding blades are opened like an umbrella. It was invented by German Urologist Arthur Kollmann.

These prosthetic eyes are made from cryolite glass, originally used to make dolls eyes. Their appearance was so life-like that they were also used to make prosthetic eyes.

Would you like to join the team? We are looking for a Lead Visitors Services Assistant! You can find full details of the job here: cezanneondemand.intervieweb.it/rcsed/jobs/l... The closing date for applications is 9am on Monday the 20th of October.

Excellent evening yesterday attending the online 'meet the author' event, hosted by @surgeonshall.bsky.social and the brill @anatomicalcat.bsky.social, chatting to the wonderful and inspiring @mollyconisbee.bsky.social about her beautiful book, and all things death studies. Thanks all!

Thomas Keith died #OTD in 1895. Keith was famous for the procedure of ovariotomy. You can read more about Thomas Keith on our blog: surgeonshallmuseums.wordpress.com/2023/09/04/t...

The answer to #WordOnWednesday this week is Scottish Women's Hospitals!

For #WordOnWednesday this week we are looking for a term you will find in our current temporary exhibition . Can you work it out?

These are artery forceps used to clamp blood vessels, tissues, or other tiny structures to effectively reduce blood flow during surgery. #TriviaTuesday

It's time for the first #TriviaTuesday of October! This week we have these 20th century instruments. They are 22cm in length. Do you know what they are?

In 2017, Jessica was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. During a chance visit to the museum she encountered a thyroid with a nodular Goitre. Recently she sat down with our Human Remains Conservator, Cat Irving, to discuss how this visit helped her come to terms with her cancer diagnosis. [1/2]

This wax anatomical model of the human face is from the mid 20th century. Models like this would allow students to study teeth and nerves. Each anatomical landmark is numbered.

For #WordOnWednesday this week we are looking for a phrase you would find in our current temporary exhibition 'A Fair Field and No Favour: A History of Women in Surgery'. Can you work out what it is?

This is a reflex testing hammer used by doctors to test reflexes. Testing for reflexes is an important part of the neurological physical examination in order to detect abnormalities in the central or peripheral nervous system.

It's time for the final #TriviaTuesday of September! This week we have this instrument from the late 20th century. It is 22.5 cm in length. Any ideas what is is for?

This silver rattle from 1803 has a red coral stick to promote easier dentition. Belief in the potency of red coral to ensure good luck has existed for thousands of years. In Italy & some parts of Scotland it is still used to avert the "evil eye".

A duel, an act of treason, and a daring jailbreak—this might appear to be the plot of a Hollywood film, but it's actually the remarkable tale of Robert Auchmutie. You can hear the full story in our latest episode of Beyond the Knife- available wherever you get your podcasts.

We are not part of the Doors Open Day festival that will be taking place this weekend. Full details of participating venues can be found on their website.

A Weiss improved amputation saw from the 1850's. John Weiss improved amputating saws when he realised surgeons were being slowed down by tissue clogging the teeth of the saw blade. He designed the slots, like the ones on this blade, to help clear the teeth during the operation.

We don't know an awful lot about this model wheelchair but it is presumed to be an apprentice piece. The wheelchair is of 19th century design.

This set of six instruments date from the 19th century. Two are for removing salivary calculus and four are chisels. The ornate handles are made from mother of pearl.

Alexander Monro Primus was born #OTD in 1697. He initially taught classes from Old Surgeons Hall but later moved to Edinburgh University. He became the first Professor of Anatomy when the medical school was established in 1726.

Our Autumn Events programme has launched. We’ve got a fantastic line up of events to take us through to the end of the year. 🧵👇

The answer to #WordOnWednesday this week is wedjat!