Guest Blog by Eleanor Palmer, Student at University of Worcester

My name is Eleanor and I have just completed my work experience at the George Marshall Medical Museum. I am currently doing a history degree at the University of Worcester. As part of my course, I chose to undertake a work experience module, for which I was placed at the George Marshall Medical Museum.

I have always enjoyed visiting museums, but have never had the opportunity to volunteer or work in one before, so this experience was new to me. Previous to my time here, I had little knowledge of medical history, but have discovered through research and looking around the museum that it is a very interesting topic. Whilst at the museum, my knowledge has been broadened and I have had the opportunity to develop a number of skills which will be useful to me in my future. Prior to my placement, I was not set on a career, but having the chance to create resources for the museum to use has opened my eyes to the prospect of working as a Museum Education Officer.

During my time at the museum, I had the opportunity to get involved with a number of exciting projects. For my first project, I was able to create an activity trail for children and families to complete as they walk around and enjoy the displays and information. I included a number of activities ranging from true or false questions and matching the medicine with the cure, to drawing tasks and dressing up. This is now on display at the front of the museum for people to grab on their way in. I found this to be a very enjoyable task, and completing it opened my eyes to the way in which museums can encourage public engagement. It was also rewarding to be able to see my work displayed in the museum ready for people to use and hopefully enjoy.

On completion of this task, I then had the chance to search through the vast collection of handling objects that the museum stores, and created a box with a range of objects, photos, questions, and information sheets relating to the history of healthcare. This box will now be available for community groups and schools to borrow from the museum. Completing this project has enhanced my knowledge of museums and how the public interact with history. I have been able to develop my problem solving skills and have been lucky enough to do tasks which were tailored to my interests surrounding education.

My work experience has opened my eyes to the importance of museums and public history, and highlighted to me that this is something I would be interested in getting involved with in the future. I would recommend undertaking work experience at the Worcester medical museums to anyone interested in history or museum work, as it is very enjoyable whilst providing you with a number of important skills for the future. If you haven’t already visited the museum, please make sure to drop by and have a go at my trail, or simply take in the history that is on offer.

blog by dr. frank crompton: a female patient with epilepsy

Epilepsy and the Worcestershire City and County Pauper Lunatic Asylum

Credit: Iconographie photographique de la Salpêtrière : service de M. Charcot / par Bourneville et P. Regnard. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Between 1852 and 1919 there were 269 female patients and 280 male patients who eventually died in the Worcestershire City and County Pauper Lunatic Asylum who had epilepsy. Few of these individuals were said to have died from epilepsy, rather their deaths were from a variety of different causes, including chest infections and heart problems. During this period epilepsy was as an ever-present problem and the Worcestershire City and County Pauper Lunatic Asylum radically altered its approach to treatment, eventually regarding it as incurable. Attempts to use anaesthetics - including chloroform - resulted in undesirable outcomes which worsened a patient’s overall condition. However, the writer believes that humanity was shown by the doctors, nurses, and attendants caring for these patients.  

FEMALE PATIENTS WITH EPILEPSY

27 female patients under the age of 16 years were committed to the asylum with epilepsy between 1852 and 1919. Annie Pitt was just seven years old when she was admitted in August 1870. She spent over 27 years in the Asylum, eventually dying there in March 1898.

Two pages of Annie Pitt’s patient;s notes.

Her patient’s notes state that even at the age of seven, she is described as ‘congenitally insane’, and regarded as dangerous to others. She was said to be 'restless, and irritable of temper'. When left, she had wandered into the road and had also stolen items from a neighbour’s house. She is described as undernourished and ill-groomed. She appeared to have sight problems, and was said to be 'dirty in her habits'. She could not talk sensibly and had no ‘intellect’. In spite of this, her physical health was said to be fairly good and within two months, it was decided to return her home. Within a month she returned to the asylum as there had been no improvement in her condition.

One year later, it was stated that she had 'more fits than usual', which left her in an exhausted state so she was confined to bed. She regularly had severe fits, and she was getting even thinner. Sometimes she was described as ‘bright and cheerful’, but she was ‘stupid’, when suffering from fits and was often cut and bruised when she fell. As part of her treatment and in an effort to inhibit her fits, she was given potassium bromide but this treatment failed, and it was said on several occasions that she was ‘at death’s door’ following a fit.

By May 1883, Annie spent much of her time in bed owing to her weakness caused by the fits, and even with slight improvements she was declared ‘mindless’ and the severity of her fits were life-threatening. She was often left exhausted. She was given chloroform to alleviate her condition, but this failed, and she was described as ‘wet and dirty’ - unable to do anything for herself. Sometimes, after fits, she was virtually unable to walk and she frequently fell and bruised her face.

During the summer of 1886, she gained strength, however she still had 'very little mind’. At times she was said to be in a semi-comatose condition, continued to have severe fits and had to be fed by a nurse.

In August 1887, Annie’s fits were still frequent, and severe. She regularly injured herself but still made slight recoveries where she was able to walk about. Sadly, there is then a gap in her notes from until July 1888.

From then, it is stated that while well-nourished she had a ‘highly arched palate’ and she was also showing signs of respiratory problems. Her epilepsy was also described as being of a 'very severe type' and she was often left in a heavy stupor after a fit. There came a point where she was able to make a noise, but was unable to talk and was very ‘dirty’ in her habits. She could not swallow solid food, and was instead fed with 'soft liquids.’ She could not feed herself.

In May 1898, it was said that her fits were frequent and she could hardly lift her head after them. However, she was well nourished and everything was done for her.

In June 1891 she was said to be 'considerably improved physically' but with ‘very little mind’. She could not articulate and had symptoms of ‘brain mischief’. At times she was semi-comatose an could only be roused with extreme difficulty. Her sight was poor.

In December 1882, Annie’s fits were frequent and severe. She was confined to her ward, only getting up for short periods. At this point her notes were transferred to a Case Book (no longer extant).

Annie died on March 8th, 1898.

easter events including free family storytelling sessions

If you’ve been enjoying our work with Amanda Edmiston over the last few years you will have noticed the online events we’ve been holding including the current book club (last session Thursday 14 March, 2024).

Roll on the Easter holidays, because Amanda will be heading to Worcester to share FREE Herbal Magic and Potential Potions for families!

https://medicalmuseum.org.uk/.../free-easter-family...

AND a grown up evening immersion into the world of The Time Traveller’s Herbal…

https://medicalmuseum.org.uk/.../evening-herbal...


For a quick look at all of our events coming up, click on the picture below to download.