The Doctor Is In

Antique and vintage medical equipment, instruments, and other curiosities

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WW2 era prosthetic leg

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Vintage 1970′s German "SOMSO" Anatomical Teaching Model - 5th Month Twin Fetuses

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These artificial limbs were made for a phocomelia affected child in the 1960s by the Department of Health and Social Security's Limb Fitting Centre in Roehampton, London. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, more than 10,000 children in 46 countries were born with deformities such as phocomelia as a consequence of thalidomide use.

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From a 1925 edition of a Sir Norman Walker’s Introduction to Dermatology, shows how children in hospital wards were prevented from scratching their skin. Bound up mummy like, they were tied to the foot and head of the bed and allowed some freedom of movement.

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Rectal bellows were used for the application of tobacco smoke enemas in the 18th century, a treatment said to promote respiration.

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Early surgical procedure using ether as an anesthetic (1855-1860).

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An obstetric model used to help students learn about childbirth in an Italian medical school (1700-1800).

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Insulin shock therapy administered in Lapinlahti Hospital, Helsinki in the 1950s

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Traditional blood transfusion bottle, England 1978

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A neurological exam with electrical device, c. 1884

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Wooden prosthetic hand, c. 1800

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Lewis Sayre’s scoliosis treatment

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Antique birthing chair used until the 1800s

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Dr. Clark's Spinal Apparatus advertisement, 1878

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U.S. Civil War surgeon's kit

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An embarrassed woman with an artificial leg c. 1890 - 1900

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Tanning babies at the Chicago Orphan Asylum, 1925, to offset winter rickets