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surgeonshall.bsky.social
Surgeons' Hall Museums
@surgeonshall.bsky.social
15K followers 190 following 700 posts
Home to the largest & most historic collection of surgical pathology in the world.

Open 10am-5pm, 7 days a week.
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surgeonshall.bsky.social
This painting by Charles Bell is an amalgam of 3 soldiers he had treated with gunshot fractures of the skull which led to them developing opisthotonos. You can read more about the history of the painting in this blog from our Humans Remains Conservator: bit.ly/3vDWO5D
A painting of a naked man with his back severely arched. His face is grimacing in severe pain
November 14, 2025 at 12:02 PM
surgeonshall.bsky.social
This painting depicts Saint Apollonia, a virgin martyr, whose torture included having all her teeth pulled out or shattered. For this reason she is often regarded as the patroness of dentistry.
A painting of Apollonia. The colours are a bit faded. She has long dark hair with flowers in it. She is wearing a long yellow dress and a dark green hooded cloak. In one hand she is holding a large white feather and in the other she is holding a pair of pliers which are grasping onto a tooth
November 13, 2025 at 12:01 PM
surgeonshall.bsky.social
The answer to #WordOnWednesday this week is four humours!
Dark blue background with white text. It reads: The answer to Word On Wednesday is four humours. The four humours were: blood, black bile, yellow bile and phlegm. It was believed an imbalance of these caused illness.
November 13, 2025 at 10:29 AM
surgeonshall.bsky.social
It's time for another #WordOnWednesday!

This week we are looking for two words you would find in our History of Surgery Museum.
Dark blue background with white text. It reads: Can you guess this week's word from our History of Surgery gallery? There are 2 words- the first is made up of 4 letters and the second is made up of 7 letters. Clues: ·An anagram of Rofu Shormuu ·The Greek physician, Hippocrates, developed this idea that influenced medical treatments throughout Medieval Europe.
November 12, 2025 at 10:02 AM
surgeonshall.bsky.social
The Heritage department has been gifted a unique collection from the family of Captain Jack Ennis, a prisoner of war under the Japanese in Singapore during World War Two.
You can read more on our blog: surgeonshallmuseums.wordpress.com/2025/11/11/m...
A black and white photograph of Jack Ennis. He is looking slightly to the right. He has short dark hair and is wearing round glasses. He is also wearing a suit and tie.
November 11, 2025 at 11:09 AM
surgeonshall.bsky.social
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.
An oil painting depicting a dissection. There are 6 men standing round the dissection table. The man third from the left is wearing a large wig and is thought to be Pitcairne. There is a man lying on the dissection table, his torso has been dissected. Placed on his legs are some dissection tools and an hour glass. To the left of the table is a man with flayed skin on a pedestal and to the right is a skeleton on a pedestal holding a scythe On the floor there is some rope and a bowl with a hand in it.
November 10, 2025 at 9:01 AM
surgeonshall.bsky.social
#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 c.ronan@rcsed.ac.uk to book your place!
Blue background with lots of black text which reads: Join emergency medic, Dr Tony Bleetman, as we explore the evolution of pre-hospital care from horse & cart on the battlefield through to today’s network of critical care helicopters operating in the UK. Tony shares his experiences of delivering trauma care in the field that would then help establish the UK’s first air ambulance unit. Speaker info Dr Bleetman is a consultant in emergency medicine, with extensive experience of leading teams in NHS Trauma Centres and in the Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS). He was awarded the Queen’s Golden & Diamond Jubilee Medals for his work in Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine. He is a senior lecturer at the Centre of Neuroscience, Surgery and Trauma at Queen Mary University of London, and a medical advisor to the Ministry of Defence and the Home Office. To book a place Please RSVP to Carl Ronan, c.ronan@rcsed.ac.uk to book places for this exciting event.
November 6, 2025 at 12:02 PM
surgeonshall.bsky.social
The answer to #WordOnWednesday this week is Padua.
Dark blue background with white text. It reads: The answer to Word On Wednesday is Padua. Andreas Vesalius became a professor here in 1537 and would go on to transform the study of human anatomy.
November 5, 2025 at 4:45 PM
surgeonshall.bsky.social
The answer to #WordOnWednesday can be found in our History of Surgery Museum.

Can you solve the anagram?
Dark blue background with white text. It reads: Can you guess this week's word from our History of Surgery Gallery? There is space for 5 letter. Clues: • An anagram of Updaa • In the 1500s, this city became the location for the world’s first permanent anatomical theatre.
November 5, 2025 at 10:01 AM
surgeonshall.bsky.social
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.
A photo of a lecture taking place in a large hall. There is a man at the lectern in a blue shirt. Next to him is a screen showing a diagram of the human body.
November 4, 2025 at 11:34 AM
surgeonshall.bsky.social
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.
A set of 6 knives in a wooden case with a dark red velvet lining.
November 3, 2025 at 12:01 PM
surgeonshall.bsky.social
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...
October 31, 2025 at 11:55 AM
surgeonshall.bsky.social
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.
A small porcelain measuring cup being supported by a wire stand. It reads Novocain and you can see some measuring lines.
October 30, 2025 at 12:04 PM
surgeonshall.bsky.social
The answer this week is hepatobiliary!

#WordOnWednesday
Dark blue background with white text. It reads: The answer to Word on Wednesday is Hepatobiliary. The term originates from the Greek for ‘Liver’ and the Latin for ‘Bile’
October 30, 2025 at 11:21 AM
surgeonshall.bsky.social
Our #WordOnWednesday this week can be found in our Wohl Pathology Museum. Can you work out what it is?
Dark blue background with white text. It reads: Can you guess this week's word from our Wohl Pathology Museum? There is space for 13 letters. Clues: An anagram of Toilbaypharel Surgical speciality that involves procedures on the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts and pancreas. Also referred to as HPB surgery
October 29, 2025 at 10:03 AM
surgeonshall.bsky.social
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?
A white domed plastic instrument with several holes drilled round the circumference.
October 28, 2025 at 10:03 AM
surgeonshall.bsky.social
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...
A teal background with white text to the left which reads: Scalpel, microscope and simulation: The evolution of forensic pathology and training. Monday the 3rd of November. 7pm. To the right of the image is an image depicting a skull, a scalpel, a microscope and a computer screen showing a dissection.]
October 27, 2025 at 12:03 PM
surgeonshall.bsky.social
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.
Four sheep metatarsals that have been hollowed out to make a spoon
October 24, 2025 at 11:03 AM
surgeonshall.bsky.social
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.
Dark green background. In yellow it reads: Rescheduled Skeleton Restoration Drop-In. Thursday the 11th of December 11am-4pm
October 23, 2025 at 11:03 AM
surgeonshall.bsky.social
The answer to #WordOnWednesday is Edinburgh Seven!
Dark blue background with white text. It reads: The answer to #WordOnWednesday is: Edinburgh Seven. Sophia Jex-Blake, having been inspired by America’s practicing female physicians, first applied to study medicine at the University of Edinburgh in 1869. The University’s initial response was that they could not make the necessary arrangements for one woman. After advertising in The Scotsman, Jex-Blake found support and a second application to study medicine was approved a year later, creating the now trailblazing group now known as the ‘Edinburgh Seven’.
October 22, 2025 at 3:45 PM
surgeonshall.bsky.social
You would find the answer to #WordOnWednesday in our temporary exhibition. Can you work out the answer?
Dark blue background with white text which reads: Can you guess this week's word from our temporary exhibition? There are two words- the first is made up of 9 letters and the second is made up of 5 letters. Clues: ·An anagram of Hugednirb neevs ·In 1869, this group of women were the first to be admitted to the University of Edinburgh to study medicine. ·Despite passing the exams, with some top of their classes, they were barred from graduating by the university.
October 22, 2025 at 9:02 AM
surgeonshall.bsky.social
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?
A completely metal instrument with several curved pieces attached to it.
October 21, 2025 at 9:02 AM
surgeonshall.bsky.social
Copper and brass spray possibly used to spray carbolic acid during surgical procedures. It could be pressurised by pumping the handle on the lid.
A large spray bottle made of brass and copper. It has a long spray nozzle on the lid.
October 20, 2025 at 11:03 AM
surgeonshall.bsky.social
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.
Dark green background. In yellow it reads: Skeleton Restoration Drop-In. Monday the 20th of October. 11am-4pm. There is a big banner over the top of it which reads postponed.
October 17, 2025 at 2:09 PM
surgeonshall.bsky.social
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.
A mortar similar to one you would see outside a pharmacy. It has a silver plaque on the bottom.
October 17, 2025 at 11:05 AM