National Museum of Health and Medicine photos

Over at Morbid Anatomy, Joanna Ebenstein spotted a series of intriguing photos of medical curiosities from the National Museum of Health and Medicine and elsewhere. You may need a unicorn chaser after visiting.
National Museum of Health and Medicine Photogallery

[#1 posted by JDavid , January 12, 2009 12:59 PM]

aaaay!...I'm eatin' here! c'mon man...

[#2 posted by Talia , January 12, 2009 1:02 PM]

Wouldnt swear to it, but I think some of those pics may be from the Mutter Museum. Which is a mind bogglingly amazing/horrific place.

[#3 posted by skramble , January 12, 2009 2:00 PM]

Can anyone give an explanation about the fibrous elements covering the skull in the above image?

I can't figure out what that might be.

[#4 posted by Takuan , January 12, 2009 2:04 PM]

I was just tryng to help the man out.

[#5 posted by TikiHead , January 12, 2009 2:05 PM]

It reminds of this terrifying image...

http://www.celebritywonder.com/vids/Steve_Martin/vQkXHFSMlMg.html

[#6 posted by Teapunk , January 12, 2009 4:06 PM]

Make mental note: Don't check boing boing before going to sleep. Will now have to google for unicorn chasers.
All night.

[#7 posted by Ghede , January 12, 2009 5:06 PM]

#3 Circulatory system? Nerves?

[#8 posted by apotropaic , January 12, 2009 5:09 PM]

I used to work in the anatomy section at the museum. It's a remarkable place. Parts of presidents (Lincoln, Garfield, Cleveland, and Eisenhowers gallstones), remains from Civil War soldiers (with names and medical information), and thousands of organs in jars.

The fibrous elements are blood vessels dissected from the surrounding tissues. A classic 19th century technique.

The museum is very similar to the Mutter in terms of collections, but much larger and wider ranging.

Check out the museum blog: http://bottledmonsters.blogspot.com/

[#9 posted by kvn , January 13, 2009 1:41 AM]

Posted your news at :

http://www.wikiplugs.com/story.php?title=national-museum-of-health-and-medicine-photos

Thanks

[#10 posted by Halloween Jack , January 13, 2009 6:40 AM]

You think that's something, the next time you are near a medical school library, stop in and see if they have an atlas of birth defects or a well-illustrated emergency medicine manual.

[#11 posted by InsertFingerHere , January 13, 2009 9:49 AM]

The guy with the pipe is interesting, you rarely see anatomical displays involving such personal items. You get the idea this guy saw some amazing things in his years sailing the high seas, getting spices and teas and cargo from far off lands.