Horrible history comes to Cumbria – museum reveals grisly secrets of Medieval Medicine.
If you are partial to a bit of horrible history there’s a gruesome – but family friendly – treat in store at a Cumbrian museum.
From Saturday, June 19, you’ll be able to discover the often-grisly cures used to treat patients in Medieval England.
It’s all part of the “Medieval Medicine” exhibition, at The Beacon Museum in Whitehaven.
It uncovers the treatments dished out by different medical practitioners centuries ago. You can
- Delve into a barber surgeon’s tool chest
- View an apothecary’s treatment table
- Explore how physicians used the colour of urine to diagnose different diseases
The stories of a barber surgeon, an apothecary, the cunning woman, a religious figure and a physician showcase the archaic and diverse approaches to medical treatment in the Middle Ages.
‘Medieval Medicine’ is a touring exhibition from The JORVIK Group of Attractions, operators of the award-winning JORVIK Viking Centre.
Visitors can learn still more about disease, illness and treatment through three medieval skeletons on display, including one showing signs of leprosy.
The exhibition also includes an exclusive short film, written by Terry Deary – author of the Horrible Histories series – entitled A Touch of Plague as part of the family-friendly content on offer.
Heather Holmes, Customer and Visitor Experience Manager, at The Beacon Museum, said: “We are thrilled to have a JORVIK exhibition, once again, at the museum.
“Visitors can explore various historical medical practices, delve inside a barber surgeon’s tool chest or investigate a physician’s uroscopy wheel.
“The exhibition is family friendly and there are activities on offer for everyone to enjoy.”
The exhibition runs from June 19 to September 5, 2021.
Tickets: Adults £7, Concessions £5.50, Children £3.50, under 3’s free, family ticket £17.50