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The recently reopened Hunterian Museum, housed at the Royal College of Surgeons, invites visitors to explore a captivating assortment of human and animal specimens. Following a six-year restoration, this remarkable establishment showcases thousands of preserved artifacts in glass jars, ranging from stomachs, teeth, and bones to eyeballs, prosthetic noses, and syphilitic skulls.

Originally assembled by the 18th-century Scottish anatomist and surgeon, John Hunter, the collection encompasses a vast array of curiosities. Hunter’s insatiable thirst for knowledge led him to gather specimens that would both educate himself and others. Among the remarkable exhibits are human fetuses, a luminous red-dyed penis, and a myriad of animal remains, including a wombat, narwhal skeleton, and the immense diseased molar of a bull elephant.

While Hunter’s methods, such as vivisection and controversial experiments, stirred debates during his time, his ultimate mission was to alleviate suffering, cure ailments, and extend life. The museum showcases his pursuit of understanding through the study of anomalies in anatomy, such as a camel’s stomach’s ability to survive without water and the effects of rabies on the human body.

Visiting the Hunterian Museum is a unique opportunity to witness the enigmatic wonders that lie within the vast realms of anatomy and medicine. Step inside, and prepare to be captivated by the secrets that have been preserved and curated for generations to come