For almost a century the Old Operating Theatre lies hidden under the roof of St. Thomas’s Hospital Church and to date is the oldest operating theatre in Great Britain. The exploration of such an unusual museum has become an almost impossible mission as the construction of The Shard: Europe’s tallest building is taking place right across the street.
Climbing the narrow stairs to a lab-like room, the Herb Garret, you see the display of dried herbs and animal specimens that were once used for apothecary.
Despite the various herbs and tools on display, the most fascinating part of the museum is its interactive demonstrations of the Operating Process and the vivid recreation of surgical scenes from the past. A volunteer is lying on the operating table. The words, facial expressions and gestures he uses brings you back to the past pain of those undertaking surgical procedures.
Hundreds of years ago, people sat here to observe the surgical process, on the table, right in front of us. In such a simulated environment, you have the immersed sense to witness, feel and smell it without anaesthetic.
Screaming patients, bloody skin, and deadpan faces of spectators is what you may imagine when you step into this place.
Nearest Station: London Bridge Underground
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Lying on the genuine wooden operating table you can almost hear the screams and cries from those who were unfortunate enough to experience the 19th century surgical process.
by Yinming Lee
published on: 13 April, 2010
Operating madness
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