IT MAY not have cost visitors an arm and a leg but it wasn't for a lack of equipment, writes
PAMELA DUNCAN
Amputation tools were just part of the items on display during the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland’s (RCPI) free open day which took place yesterday as part of Heritage Week.
Following the huge success of last year’s event which saw 500 people visit the college, the RCPI again opened its doors to the public to give a glimpse into its 355-year history. Established in 1654, the RCPI was founded by John Stearne and has been housed at its current location on Dublin’s Kildare Street since 1864.
The amputation equipment itself dates from the 19th century and pre-dates anaesthetics. “The whole principle of amputation at that time was speed,” librarian Robert Mills explained. “You had to be very, very fast because the patient could not withstand the trauma for more than a few seconds.”
The librarian also pointed out examples of early wooden stethoscopes. Introduced in France, the device was first designed to circumvent the problematic practice of doctors laying their heads on ladies’ chests in order to hear their heartbeat.
Perhaps the most famous part of the college’s collection is the personal artefacts which belonged to Napoleon Bonaparte. The collection includes his toothbrush, a snuff box and a bar of soap emblazoned with his profile. The items were gifted by Napoleon to his personal physician, Tipperary-born Dr Barry O’Meara during the former emperor’s exile on St Helena.
Also on display was the president’s mace, made of solid Irish silver and representative of the president’s authority. It depicts Hippocrates, Avicenna and William Harvey as well as the college’s coat of arms.
The college also boasts sculptures by 19th century sculptor John Foley with sculptures of eminent physicians Dr William Stokes, Sir Robert Corrigan and Sir Henry Marsh adorning the building’s original main hall.
The tour ended in Dun’s Library, an extensive collection of books which charter both Irish and international medical history dating back to the 16th century.
Sir Patrick Dun originally bequeathed his personal collection of books to the college and, although most of these have been lost over the years, this prompted the foundation of the library which will celebrate its 300th anniversary in 2013.
One book on display details the expenses involved in the dissection of an executed criminal including the cost in guarding the body to ensure that relatives did not make off with it. At the time dissection was seen to be sacrilegious and something which might affect the person’s ascension into heaven.
Also included in the collection are the diaries of Dr Kathleen Lynn, an early female Irish doctor, an Irish republican and suffragette.
“It’s almost impossible to read,” the librarian commented. “Well, every doctor’s writing is,” one woman remarked.