Ignaz Semmelweis, "the savior of mothers", was a Hungarian physician who lived in the 19th century. He discovered that puerperal fever can be prevented with hand disinfection. He was essentially the first person who ever suggested that doctors should wash their hands before surgeries or examinations. Believe it or not, most doctors were quite offended by his suggestion (which is shocking, considering it was already the 19th century), and Semmelweis' brilliant discovery remained unappreciated until years after his death.
The museum of medical history, although named after Semmelweis, is not a memorial museum. The substantial collection of the permanent exhibition presents the development of the western as well as Hungarian medicine and medical system. The museum is obviously a must see for those involved in medicine but it can be fascinating even for laics like me who are interested by the human body. However, I would not recommend it for pregnant ladies. The reason is quite simple; a woman awaiting the birth of her child might get slightly discouraged (or frightened) by the sight of the surgical instruments physicians used on women in labour before modern medicine.
And this brings me to the most important fact about this exhibition. As I told my friend who visited with me, "the creep factor is not small". But let me elaborate on that. The first detailed anatomy books from the 16th century; the reconstruction of the old Holy Spirit Pharmacy; the obstetrical demonstration model from the 17th century (see picture below); or the reconstruction of the anatomical theater of the University of Padua from 1594 are only a few examples of the very rich and interesting collection but the highlights for me were the surgical instruments on display. Most of them were utterly terrifying (partly because I am quite imaginative) yet at the same time, really fascinating. I will always be astonished by how people could survive surgeries hundreds of years ago, but give credit where credit is due, physicians obviously did the best they could and invented many lifesaving instruments doctors use today. My only problem was that I would have loved to know more about the medical instruments displayed, for example how a sixteen-blade lancet from the 19th century works but apart from the title, there was no indication of its use. If you have a medical student among your friends visiting with you, you are in for a treat but for me, Google is the only option.
Of course there were plenty other objects and relics that were not terrifying in any way. I found the part about the use of homeopathy quite interesting; who knew homeopathy was a thing already in the 19th century? Another surprise was that the old-school dentist drill worked just like my grandmothers old sewing machine: by pedaling. Also, I was almost laughing out loud when I read that the first and most important discovery in medicine was the importance of having a bath. We might find this obvious; however, apparently there were times when people had no idea that keeping themselves clean would prevent diseases. The first Hungarian pharmaceutical journals were quite hilarious to read as well, which the foreign visitors unfortunately cannot appreciate as much. With regard to languages, English translations are displayed next to the Hungarian information boards. (I found a few vocabulary mistakes on the board. However, to be honest, I found such mistakes in every other museum as well, but none of them were too confusing).
This visit was an interesting mixture of terrifying as well as funny moments and although it was not an intellectual or sophisticated museum experience like a Van Gogh exhibiton, I would gladly return with my godmother (the most brilliant Biology and Chemistry teacher) to have some further adventures in the world of medical history.
(Tip: Do not leave before checking out the garden and the memorial of Semmelweis with the statue.)
Semmelweis Museum of Medical History
1013 Budapest, 1-3 Apród Street
Tuesday-Sunday: 10:30 am - 6 pm
