Comments for British Society for the History of Medicine

Comment on ‘Wilson’s balls’: TB treatment in the 1940s-1950s by Martin Cole

Martin Cole — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 12:36:57 +0000

My mother received the Lucite ball treatment in 1956 at Pinewood Hospital, Crowthorne, Berkshire. She was aged 48 at the time. Her hospital stay lasted eight months during which I, her eleven-year-old son, did not set my eyes upon her. Hospital rules were very strict with children completely barred from the premises. I was aged eleven at the time and faced with the challenge of the ‘Eleven Plus’ examination which determined my further schooling. I could have done with Mum’s support during this critical phase of my education but without it I developed a high level of self-reliance which I have been blessed with ever since. Fortunately, success in the examination meant that six weeks before Mum returned home I had already started at grammar school and ultimately the pathway to university. Although her surgery led to occasional back-pain, my Mum experienced generally good health for most of her remaining life. In her 53rd year Mum surprised everyone, herself included, when on holiday in Wales she completed a walk to the summit of Mount Snowdon (or Yr Wyddfa) at 1085m. She eventually died aged 87. Lucite balls had nearly doubled her life. We were an ordinary working-class family with just enough to live on. The long hospital stay and treatment cost us nothing. Readers may understand why I am a passionate believer in the UK National Health Service!

Comment on German doctors in British exile by Patricia Curran

Patricia Curran — Sat, 01 Jun 2024 14:27:46 +0000

Erwin Cohnreich married Middlesex England to Nora Ruhnke. He died Ristic Dene Whittingham Lancashire England on 1/1/1943. Buried St Mary the Virgin Churchyard Goosnargh Whittingham

Comment on “The forgotten man of Africa” by Harshit Behl

Harshit Behl — Sat, 01 Jun 2024 06:37:12 +0000

Throughout history, the evolution of medicine has been a testament to humanity’s relentless pursuit of understanding and healing. From ancient civilizations’ use of herbs and rituals to the scientific breakthroughs of modern times, each era has contributed to the vast tapestry of medical knowledge. As Hippocrates, the father of Western medicine, aptly stated, “Wherever the art of medicine is loved, there is also a love of humanity.” This sentiment echoes through the ages, reminding us that at the heart of medicine lies compassion and the desire to alleviate suffering.

Comment on ‘Wilson’s balls’: TB treatment in the 1940s-1950s by Lynne Mayers

Lynne Mayers — Sat, 09 Mar 2024 10:09:25 +0000

My father received lucite balls as filler for his chest cavity c. 1950 at the King Edward VII Hospital, Midhurst, Sussex. When he coughed or moved awkwardly he would say it was his ‘ping-pong balls rattling’. As children, we thought he was just joking. He remained TB free, although very limited by bronchitis and general shortness of breath, until his death at the age of 60 yrs in 1974. He/we considered these his ‘borrowed’ years, as we were told that he was a guinea-pig for this type of filler.

Comment on Arnica Pharmaceutical Jar by Michael C Collins

Michael C Collins — Mon, 18 Jun 2018 14:09:47 +0000

Dr Claudia Sachsse of the Deutsches Apotheken-Museum in Heidelberg has kindly replied. She explains that the pharmaceutical jar in the Boots archive is a replica of jars that originated from Switzerland from the late 18th or early 19th century. Replica jars were made by pharmaceutical companies and given as gifts to customers. The style and decoration of the jar was not specific to the contents and several similar original jars can be seen at the Heidelberg museum each with labels indicating different contents.
Finally, Dr Sachsse agrees with Andreas Winkler’s opinion that the figure on the lid of the jar is a representation of a lion and relates to a Lion Pharmacy.

So the riddle of the jar and the identity of the figure on the lid have been explained by the expert. Thank you to Dr Sachsse and to those who participated in the discussion. Congratulations to Dr Andreas Winkler whose opinion was correct. And of course thank you to Sophie at Boots Archives Nottingham for allowing us to show photographs of the ‘mystery object’.

Comment on Arnica Pharmaceutical Jar by Michael C Collins

Michael C Collins — Thu, 24 May 2018 19:42:53 +0000

Thank you Andreas and Carolyn. I will ask Elisabeth Huwer of the Apothekenmuseum Heidelberg for her help!

Comment on Arnica Pharmaceutical Jar by Carolyn Collins

Carolyn Collins — Wed, 23 May 2018 21:04:55 +0000

Also curious about this jar I put Arnica Montana into a simple on-line search and discovered that it’s also known as “wolf’s bane and “leopards’s bane”; now to my eyes that animal’s head could be a leopard [as you suggest Michael], so I’m wondering if this traditional name was incorporated into the jar’s design as a way to use this version to add strength/value to the word “arnica”, thus reassuring customers of its authenticity. Perhaps the name can be traced back to the Doctrine of Signatures and some beliefs about leopards [or wolves for “wolf’s bane]? I associate arnica with treatment for bruising [as recommended by my midwife many years ago!]. Was this the use of arnica then? If so, did they associate these animals with bruising because of their speed, or thoughts of rough and tumble or being mal-treated by wild animals? Although wolves were common-place, how many ordinary folk in Europe would have seen a leopard back then? Like you Michael, I’m wondering why the Heidelberg jar is considered the original; without analysis of the ceramics to ascertain age, it’s an assumption surely? Look forward to hearing if the riddle is solved!

Comment on Arnica Pharmaceutical Jar by Andreas Winkler

Andreas Winkler — Wed, 23 May 2018 20:16:15 +0000

Dear Michael, i am convinced that your jar is a replica, no pharmacist would have stored “Arnica” in such a jar like this one. The original one(s) you will find at Heidelberg, made in the 18th century. The knob, thats not a Leopard, this is a Lion, maybe jars like this belonged to a pharmacy named “Löwenapotheke” (Lion Pharmacy). If you get in touch with Elisabeth Huwer, Manager of Apothekenmuseum Heidelberg, she will help you to solve this riddle.

Comment on Arnica Pharmaceutical Jar by Michael C Collins

Michael C Collins — Wed, 23 May 2018 17:47:02 +0000

Thank you Andreas for your information about the jar in the “Deutsches Apothekenmuseum” in Heidelberg. As you imply this jar and that posted on the website have exactly the same design raising the possibility that one is a replica. Why do you think that the jar in Heidelberg is the original? The other alternative is that the jar design was generic and that the jars were used to store different preparations. This would explain the different contents of the two jars.

Further suggestions are invited. Can anyone explain the animal-like figure on the lid of the jar? Could it be a leopard? Does it have any significance?

Comment on Arnica Pharmaceutical Jar by Andreas Winkler

Andreas Winkler — Tue, 22 May 2018 21:26:15 +0000

This jar seems to be a replica, original one are in possesion of the “Deutsches Apothekenmuseum” Heidelberg. The link, showing an original one:
http://www.deutsches-apotheken-museum.de/museum/das-arzneimittel/