Medicine : An Imperfect Science

This fascinating companion to the Science Museum's new Medicine galleries explores the eclectic history of medical collecting, through treasures from Henry Wellcome's collection and the Museum's own medical holdings.

Medicine: An Imperfect Science is formed of stand-alone but connected chapters, generously illustrated, within which a rich history of medicine collecting can be found. In Autumn 2019 a spectacular suite of new Medicine galleries is due to open at the Science Museum in London, representing the biggest and most ambitious project that the Museum has ever undertaken. This permanent exhibition will include the historic collection of Henry Wellcome, whose personal treasure trove has been on long-term loan to the Museum for over 40 years, as well as the Science Museum''s own medical holdings. Medicine: An Imperfect Science is formed of stand-alone but connected chapters, generously illustrated, within which a rich history of medicine collecting can be found. Contents: Director''s Foreword; Funders'' Forewords; Preface; Chapter 1: Collecting Medicine; Chapter 2: Prostheses at the Science Museum; Chapter 3: The Problematic Body; Chapter 4: The Child in the Iron Lung; Chapter 5: Created through Conflict; Chapter 6: Preventing Cervical Cancer; Chapter 7: Hearing Distant Voices; Chapter 8: The Pharmacy Shop; Chapter 9: Modelling Life; Chapter 10: Emotional Objects; Notes; Further Reading; Index; Author Biographies; Acknowledgements and Illustration Credits.