A new display dedicated to medicine will open at the Hunterian Museum in Spring 2006, thanks to the generous support of the ReDiscover Fund (Wellcome Trust and Wolfson Foundation), a Wellcome Trust People Award, the Heritage Lottery Fund and the University of Glasgow Chancellor's Fund.

A Healing Passion: Medicine in Glasgow Past and Present, will be located on the upper balcony of the Hunterian Museum's spectacular Victorian Gothic main hall, as a companion to the Lord Kelvin: Revolutionary Scientist display, which opened in October 2004.

A Healing Passion will be the first display dedicated to medicine at the Hunterian Museum and will include several medical artefacts which have never been on public view before.

The Hunterian was founded on the collections of the eminent Scottish physician and obstetrician, William Hunter (1718-1783) whose medical collections were the core of his career, museum and success.

The new display will cover historical and contemporary aspects of medicine in Glasgow and will explore major and lesser known figures in medicine, showcasing their achievements and their impact on our lives.

Of particular interest will be some of William Hunter's original 18th century anatomical specimens and models he used to demonstrate the development of the foetus in the womb. Joseph Lister's carbolic spray, some of the first x-rays made by John MacIntyre, and one of the first ultrasound machines developed by Ian Donald.

Paula Summerly, the exhibition curator, said:
"There have been many notable medical pioneers working in Glasgow and they deserve more recognition. For example, discoveries made by Professor John Glaister Junior pioneered several techniques of forensic analysis such as blood testing and the examination of hairs and fibres. Similar techniques are used in crime scene investigation today."

Evelyn Silber, Director of the Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery commented:
"Medical research and teaching is as important to the University of Glasgow today as it was in 1807 when the Museum first opened. It is wonderful to be able to highlight some of these achievements and show how they have affected all our lives though this exciting exhibition."

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First published: 9 September 2005