Medicine
The city of Leeds and the surrounding area have a particularly rich heritage in the study, teaching and practice of medicine. Indeed, the University of Leeds itself has its origins in the School of Medicine founded in the (then) town in 1831. During the 19th and early 20th century Leeds played an important role in the development of medicine in Britain. Practitioners and businessmen within the city were at the forefront of many developments in the design and production of medical instruments during this period.
This heritage is reflected in the wealth of interesting diagnostic and surgical instruments within the University’s collection. The changing appearance, manufacture and storage of these artefacts indicate the advance of medical theories throughout this period, and also reflects the great expansion in the medical supply trade at the time.
Highlights from the medical collection include:
- A collection of early stethoscopes, including a rare original copy of the second stethoscope model designed René Laennec, the Paris physician who first described this instrument in 1819.
- 19th century amputation kits.
- Midwifery and gynaecology instruments.
- A thermometer designed by Leeds physician Thomas Clifford Allbutt in 1866, which was shorter than previous models and took quicker readings, making it a great improvement for travelling physician.
- A rare 18th century tobacco resuscitator kit.