Museum History
The Museum of Human Disease was established by Professor Donald Wilhelm, foundation Professor of Pathology at the University of New South Wales. Thanks to his foresight, and to the tireless efforts of Dr S.G. Higgins (Museum Curator of longstanding), the Museum has been meticulously updated and maintained over the years to reflect the changing patterns of disease in our society.
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Dr Grace Higgins and Alumni Visitors | Part of the Museum Collection |
The Museum contains over 3,000 specimens (or "pots"), which display diseased human tissue at the macroscopic level preserved in formalin. Specimens are obtained both from organs removed surgically and from tissue obtained at autopsy, where the natural history of disease is in full view. Each specimen is numbered and is accompanied by a clinical history. Some specimens are over 60 years old and have become so rare, for example diphtheria, that they are irreplaceable.
Specimens are arranged in one of two major groups - pathological processes such as congenital and vascular or by organ systems, such as renal and skin. Each specimen is numbered and accompanied by a clinical history (if known), a description of the evident abnormalities, and a histological description of changes (if relevant). That information, specific to each of 30 areas or "bays", is found in the catalogues located within each bay.
As the structure of Medical Schools have changed, so too have Pathology Museums. The need for a more inviting study area was evident. For many years the Museum, although rich in terms of its history and specimen collection, was simply an area where these specimens only were housed. In order for Museum visits to become attractive, the atmosphere had to change.
Visitors can expect an air-conditioned environment, adequately labelled and catalogued bays, separate special exhibition areas and an interactive Medical Computer Discovery lab. The addition of a Museum Manager, Education Officer and a full-time technical officer has helped with the constant maintenance of the Museum and making public outreach programs possible.
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Students looking at exhibits | Museum entry area |