The Old Operating Theatre 2 for 1 with TAKETWO!

taketwo went to Saint Thomas Street to visit The Old Operating Theatre on 23rd July 2010

. The Oldest Operating Theatre in Britain is situated in the unique setting of the timber framed Herb Garret. The Old Operating Theatre has the honour of being the oldest operating theatre in Europe, and the Herb Garret is a unique chance to explore the roof space of the Church. The Theatre and Garret have recently been restored with its original Georgian plaster free from support frames for the first time since the late 1990's. Restoration consists of returning all the original furniture that includes a 19th Century operating table and many more items

The Museum is found at the top of a wooden spiral staircase in the barn-like roof space of an old church. The Operating Theatre is built in the old Herb Garret of St. Thomas's Hospital, the Garret has an old world atmosphere to it with oak beams and bundles of herb. However, the Theatre itself is a shocking reminder of how harsh times were before the miracle of modern science and technology.

The Old Operating Theatre was built by Christopher Wren's master mason, Thomas Cartwright in the early 19th Century. The museum displays the history of herbal medicine, surgery, nursing at Old St. Thomas's Hospital (the original home of Florence Nightingale's Nursing School) Guy's Hospital and the Evalina Children's Hospital. When St. Thomas's Church was rebuilt in 1703 it had an unusually large Garret in the roof space. This was used by St. Thomas's Apothecary to store and cure herbs. When the museum itself was being restored, 4 poppies were found in the rafters. Poppies are used to prepare opium, which was a very important medicinal plant.

Until 1847, surgeons had no form of anaesthetics and depended on a swift technique, which involved mental preparation for the patient and alcohol or opiates to dull the patient's senses. Thereafter ether or chloroform started to be used. The Operating Theatre had closed down before antiseptic surgery was invented. The majority of cases were for amputations or superficial complaints as, without antiseptic conditions, it was too dangerous to carry out internal operations. Surgeons could perform an amputation in a minute or less. The Old Operating Theatre Museum provides a dramatic insight into the life before the modern age.

The museum is open every day from 10.30am to 5pm, entry is 5.80 for adults and 4.80 for concessions, however you only pay for one when you taketwo with the taketwo 2 for 1 London voucher and guidebook.

The Old Operating Theatre and Herb Garret, 9a Saint Thomas Street, London SE1 9RY

The Old Operating Theatre 2 for 1 with TAKETWO!

By: Joe Howson

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