Manhandling the Brain

Manhandling the Brain: Psychiatric Neurosurgery in the Mid-20th Century is an art/historical installation made by Ken Barrett, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine.

It explores the human cost of leucotomy, a surgical intervention used to modify unwanted behaviours and emotion. It was especially welcomed in large overcrowded state mental hospitals, institutions where care standards were often poor. Just how poor was revealed in a shocking Life magazine article published in 1946.

Manhandling the Brain is currently on display in the exhibition case at the entrance to the RSM Library until the end of December 2016.

Robert Greenwood
Heritage Officer
The Royal Society of Medicine Library
1 Wimpole Street
LONDON  W1G 0AE

Open House London

Open-House

During the weekend of 17/18th September 2016 many private and public buildings in Greater London are open for viewing with free admission.

These include several premises related to the history of medicine:

The Royal College of Physicians (+herb garden)
Apothecaries Hall
The Royal College of GPs
The Royal College of Nursing
The College of Optometrists
The Old Operating Theatre Museum

For details go to http://www.openhouselondon.org.uk/