Author: imsschicago

The International Museum of Surgical Science, a division of the International College of Surgeons (ICS), maintains over 10,000 square feet of public galleries committed to the history of surgery, and an exquisite permanent collection of art and artifacts from the history of Medicine. The Museum supports its Mission through medically thematized exhibitions and programs, in addition to a strong contemporary art exhibition program. The Mission of the Museum is to enrich people’s lives by enhancing their appreciation and understanding of the history, development, and advances in surgery and related subjects in health and medicine. In support of this, we are committed to: -Portraying through exhibits and other appropriate media, the art and science of surgery, and related subjects. -Providing programs and services for the education and enjoyment of the public, students, and the medical profession. -Preserving our collection for the education, inspiration, and aesthetic enrichment of future generations. -Gaining recognition as a leader among medical and health museums worldwide.
Posted on

A Note from the Collection: Theory of Circulation, Intravenous Therapy and Blood Transfusions

Published by Shreya Wadhwa. Have you ever wondered how your blood is produced or the path it takes through your body? When you eat, your liver ingests food and creates blood. This blood flows from your liver to the right side of the heart. From here, some blood flows into your lungs, where it gives … Continue reading A Note from the Collection: Theory of Circulation, Intravenous Therapy and Blood Transfusions

Posted on

Jon Chambers announced as Winter-Spring 2019 Artist-in-Residence

Jon Chambers is welcomed into the position of IMSS Artist-in-Residence for Winter-Spring 2019 December 2018 – April 2019 Jon Chambers is an artist and educator based in Chicago where he teaches media literacy, media art histories, net art, new media art (software + hardware) and video. He has shown work nationally and internationally, in screening … Continue reading Jon Chambers announced as Winter-Spring 2019 Artist-in-Residence

Posted on

A Note from the Collections: The Lithotomy: A Sordid History

Published by Sally Monroe. The history of bladder stone removal is both long and stomach-churning. Also known as calculi, the Latin word for “small pebbles,” these stones have plagued countless victims since the dawn of humankind. The earliest known bladder stone was found in the pelvis of a mummy at El-Amrah in Egypt; it is … Continue reading A Note from the Collections: The Lithotomy: A Sordid History

Posted on

A Note from the Collection: Medical Marketing, Trade Cards from the Victorian Era

Published by Claire Olszewski. Having my personal background of art and art history, I was intrigued when I came across binders full of trade cards from the late 1800’s, a method of Victorian Era advertisement. Within the collection, there are dozens of pocket-sized paper cards decorated with ornate art, cartoons, and advertising text dated between … Continue reading A Note from the Collection: Medical Marketing, Trade Cards from the Victorian Era

Posted on

A Note from the Collection: The Chamberlen Family Secret

Published by Sally Monroe. In the International Museum of Surgical Science’s permanent collection, we have a great deal of forceps of all kinds—obstetrical, arterial, tubing, and so on. Despite their varied purposes, all are fairly similar in form, owing to the fact that forceps are essentially medical tweezers. As I went about cataloguing several drawers … Continue reading A Note from the Collection: The Chamberlen Family Secret

Posted on

Sever and Suture: On the History and Future of Anatomical Dissection – Part 3

This is Part III of the three-part essay, Sever and Suture: On the History and Future of Anatomical Dissection. Part I and Part II can be found on the Museum Blog.  Content Disclaimer: The following article discusses potentially disturbing subject matter which may not be appropriate for all audiences. The views and opinions expressed in this essay … Continue reading Sever and Suture: On the History and Future of Anatomical Dissection – Part 3

Posted on

Sever and Suture: On the History and Future of Anatomical Dissection – Part 2

This is Part II of the three-part essay, Sever and Suture: On the History and Future of Anatomical Dissection. Part I and Part III can be found on the Museum Blog.  Content Disclaimer: The following article discusses potentially disturbing subject matter which may not be appropriate for all audiences. The views and opinions expressed in this essay … Continue reading Sever and Suture: On the History and Future of Anatomical Dissection – Part 2