The surgeons' story

The surgeons’ story 50 Years of Surgery An exhibition celebrating the 50th anniversary of the UK National Health Service. Showing at the Sir Jules Thorn Historical Museum, Edinburgh, UK (every day except Sunday until Sept 5). he Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh has mounted an exhibition commemorating the 50th anniversary of the UK National Health Service. The gallery of the museum is normally devoted to aspects of modern surgery and the organisers have arranged 15 exhibits in displaypanels and cases, and added material from around 1948 to highlight the progress that has been made since then. It is very easy to forget just how important many of these advances have been. The exhibition begins with a description of the origins of the NHS, from the Poor Law Amendment Act 1834 to the Beveridge Report, which advocated a post-war welfare state. This is followed by a section on “Infection and Surgery”, which reminds us that in Scotland in 1948, tuberculosis of the lung was rampant and there were 2000 cases a year of surgical bone and joint tuberculosis. In a wonderful piece of understatement the visitor is told that “Giving antibiotics encourages the selection of antibiotic-resistant bacteria”.You bet! There are sections on anaesthesia; infection; cardiac, vascular, urological, laparoscopic, and transplantation surgery; orthopaedics; ophthalmology; otolaryngology; and prehospital care, each accompanied by the names of the

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THE LANCET • Vol 352 • August 8, 1998

of the challenges that are in store for us: new standards of care will be needed as more people reach old age, new diseases like AIDS, antibiotic-resistant infections, risks associated with increased world travel, sports accidents, and the rapidly rising costs associated with effective modern surgery. I came away trying to imagine what a similar exhibition would look like in 50 years

surgeons, anaesthetists &c responsible for the preparation of the material on display. The sections on transplantation and heart surgery are especially entertaining and there is also a good section on surgical teaching with a nice artificial abdomen to have a go yourself.The organisers have taken a lot of trouble to get the language just right, avoiding too much technical jargon but still remaining accurate. I liked the following description: “The inside of the eye is shaped like a ‘brandy goblet’ (the sclera, choroid and pigmented retina) lined with clingfilm (the retina proper)”. I just hope the term “clingfilm” is not patented or they could get a visit from someone’s lawyer. The exhibits are supported by several video recordings and scenes from operating theatres staged by realistic mannequins. One good test of an exhibition is to ask “What did it tell me I didn’t already know?”. Well, I came away with one lovely story about King George VI. He was a heavy smoker and had peripheral arterial disease. At that time the leading vas- Bone and joint surgery exhibit (Mr M MacNicol) cular surgeon in Edinburgh was A video display shows an artificial arm in use. Prof James Learmonth, and he “took his team and instruments down time.Will there even be surgeons or will to London in 1948 in a charabanc” to robots have taken over? carry out a lumbar sympathectomy in The staff deserve to be congratulated the royal bathroom at Buckingham for this exhibition, and children in Palace. Whether this was an indictment particular will find it fascinating with of the state of London hospitals at the just the right balance between hightime or a testimony to the cleanliness tech tools of the trade and grisly realof the palace is unclear. However, ism. Only a 10 min stroll from the the surgery was successful and he Waverley Railway Station, it is well was dubbed Sir James at the royal bedworth a visit. side. How’s that for instant patient David Jack feedback! Hillcrest, 23 Spiersbridge Road, The final section is devoted to “The Glasgow G46 7SL, UK Way Ahead” and this highlights some

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