New Medical exhibition opens at Newry Museum

Originally planned to open in May 2020 and delayed by the Covid pandemic, a new temporary exhibition exploring the history of medical care in the Newry and Mourne area has opened at Newry and Mourne Museum. Titled Caring for the Community: The Development of Medicine in Newry and Mourne, attention is given in the exhibtion to the role of local dispensaries and healthcare in the 19^th century, the development of hospitals in the area, doctors and nurses, local chemists, the introduction of the National Health Service in 1948 and the impact of the Troubles in the 1970s and 1980s.

Over a hundred objects, documents and photographs comprise the exhibition. Of particular interest are the range of medical instruments and equipment which date from the early 19^th century until quite recent times. Among the earliest are instruments used by Dr Fergus Floyd who was a GP in the Kilkeel area and Medical Officer at Kilkeel Dispensary No.1. He was Medical Officer at Mourne District Hospital after it opened in 1927. These instruments include a Roberts-type wooden monaural stethoscope dating from the mid-19^th century and a scarificator which was used in the treatment of dropsy, now known as oedema, a term used to describe a build-up of fluid. In the 1920s and 1930s, Dr Floyd performed surgical procedures in the homes of his patients. His portable set of chloroform and ether bottles with their leather case which he used on these occasions is on display. A pill maker and mortar and pestle from Kilkeel Dispensary are also in the exhibition.

Other surgical instruments in the exhibition are those which belonged to Mr Christopher Shortall who was appointed Medical Officer and Surgeon at Daisy Hill Hospital in 1935. Before his early death in 1950, Mr Shortall played a leading role in the refurbishment of the old workhouse buildings at Daisy Hill to provide new facilities. One of these projects was the conversion of the old Female Infirmary of the workhouse into a new Tuberculosis clinic in 1948. The plans for this development, drawn by Major Gerald Reside, are in the exhibition. 

Architectural plans and photographs in the exhibition also chart the development of Newry General Hospital and Mourne District Hospital. Newry General Hospital, which originally opened in 1839 as Newry Fever Hospital, was substantially refurbished just before the outbreak of the Second World War. Plans drawn by Samuel Wilson Reside relating to these works and the fitting-out of a new operating theatre can be seen in the exhibition. A series of photographs highlight developments at Mourne District Hospital from the 1940s until its closure in 1997.

The vital role of doctors and nurses forms a major aspect of the exhibition. Among objects on display is Christopher Shortall’s domiciliary case (dating from the 1940s) used in the days when mothers had their babies at home. Other objects of note are an auriscope, apothecary bottles, ear syringe used by Dr Michael McVerry who purchased his practice at 7 John Mitchell Place in Newry from Dr Hugh J Grant in 1947. One of the most unique and intriguing objects in the exhibition is a late 19^th-century swivel chair which was originally in Dr Grant’s surgery and which Dr McVerry continued to use in his own surgery after he had purchased the practice.

The role of local chemists figures prominently with equipment and merchandise from a number of well-known family-run chemists in the area. Several objects are on show from Connor’s Chemist in Newry including a travelling medicine chest supplied to Ellen Constance, 3^rd Countess of Kilmorey c.1900 and a late 19^th century apothecary jar. A set of early 20^th-century apothecaries’ scales from Hudson’s Medical Hall in Kilkeel are also on display. 

Photographs and documents in the exhibition highlight the contribution made by generations of consultants, GPs, nurses, chemists and support workers. The exhibition themes and artefacts on display are put into context by the memories of a number of local health care professionals which are published in this exhibition booklet. An interactive for younger visitors is also included in the exhibition which provides a child-friendly look at the human body.

Entry to Caring for the Community: The Development of Medicine in Newry and Mourne is free and the exhibition runs until early September 2023. For further information please contact the Assistant Curator at 0330 137 4608.

The Museum is currently offering free tours of the exhibition galleries on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 2.00 pm. These must be booked in advance by calling our Education Officer at 0330 137 4422. 

Newry and Mourne Museum is open Tuesday – Saturday 10.00 am – 4.30 pm. Please call 0330 137 4422 or email museums@nmandd.org for further information.

Please visit our website at www.visitmournemountains.co.uk