Home Sweet Leech Box

The blood-letter's letter box

When I’m sick and down, there’s nothing I like better than a visit from the blood-letter. I know. I know. Many of you just can’t be reasoned with when it comes to science and refuse to have an open mind about modern medicine. But hey, for those of you who have pet leeches, what better way to transport them than this cute little 19th century pewter box? Nothing says “I wuv my wittle wuvey-dovey weechy-poo” better! It even says “LEECHES” on the side!

This box is part of the The Science and Art of Medicine gallery at London’s Science Museum in the UK.

Also fascinating to me is the Dotting Machine, which to me looks like a diabolical instrument that may have been used for purposes that the very mention of which would drive a normal man insane, but was used to test factory workers for accident-proneness.

I don't know how to use it, but I'd love to know!

Ophelia? What happened!

Also worth a look are the multiple anatomy dolls. Here. Here. And Here. This isn’t all of them.

Many thanks to The Museum of Morbid Anatomy for the info and more photos.