As you can see, downstairs, life in the wards were brought alive. There you saw drills used to bore holes in your head, saws for cutting off limbs, all done without anaesthetics - a truly horrific thought. I'm surprised anyone survived the operation - certainly not something done except when essential.
The most disturbing sight though, to my mind, was the dummy dressed as the plague doctor.
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| The Plague Doctor |
I should think he was a very troubling sight when you were sick, feverish, probably delirious. Just imagine what it must feel like to have this pointed white cone of a mask, topped with its great black hat, peering down at you. I should think you would wonder if you hadn't already died & in some sort of hell or courtroom to decide whether hell or heaven was your rightful place.
Upstairs there were sections on dentistry,
scientific discovery, surgery & anaesthesia. Unfortunately I could not get upstairs to these sections, but the Fox took some pictures so I could have an idea of what was there.
Downstairs was also the hospital chapel. The hospital was nursed by nuns, so this chapel would have been the centre of their spiritual life. The chapel is still in use, though these days it is only used for weddings.
Altogether it was an interesting visit. It even had free entry. It was certainly out of the rain, a blessing indeed this holiday.
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