Managing Risk
Making beer decisions in Surgical Workflows
Getinge Surgical Workflows
Volume 2 • Issue 1 • March 2019
Deep dive into surgery's past.
The International Museum of Surgical Science in Chicago, IL is a
popular araction for tourists and history enthusiasts alike.
Originally constructed in 1917, this stately residence was meant to
replicate the Petit Trianon (Marie Antoinee's personal estate at
Versailles). The International College of Surgeons (ICS) purchased
the building in 1950, transforming the mansion into a hall of fame
for surgical and medical pioneers in 1954.
The museum's galleries feature an eclectic combination of more
than 7,000 medical artifacts, apparatus and instruments spanning
centuries of worldwide medical history. Notable artifacts include a
16th century Austrian amputation saw with reversible blade;
original X-rays taken by radiology pioneer Emil Grubbé; and the
Lindbergh perfusion pump which enabled doctors to keep organs
functioning outside the body. The Lindbergh perfusion pump was
invented by the renowned aviator Charles Lindbergh and Nobel
Prize-winning surgeon Alexis Carrel.
Additionally, the museum's fine art collection features more than 600
paintings prints and sculptures that depict significant events and
people in surgical history and related health fields. The Hall of
Immortals pays tribute to the physicians and surgeons who were
responsible for making significant advancements in medical science.
For the past 20 years, the museum also has hosted a number of
contemporary art exhibitions to broaden its appeal.
Visitors can examine surgical tools of the trade, from ancient
Rome, as well as a collection of skulls that surgeons in Peru drilled
open more than 4,000 years ago. This ancient Peruvian practice
was used to release "evil spirits", as well as relieve a variety of
symptoms associated with headaches and a myriad of brain
diseases. Evidence exists that many survived the procedure.
A re-creation of a 19th century apothecary shop includes an
animatronic pharmacist who proclaims the virtues of the miracle
elixirs found on his shelves. Other permanent exhibits are
dedicated to the history of ophthalmology, dentistry, medical
imaging, pain management, gynecology/obstetrics and nursing.
The museum's Thorek Manuscripts and Rare Books Collection
consists of more than 1,000 rare texts, spanning 1,200 years of
medical history.
The museum has even conducted interactive amputation
demonstrations for student groups using replicas of
Civil War surgical tools. Additional information is available
online at imss.org.
