the old operating theatre museum and herb garret

01-10-2008 During my extensive walks through London I discovered THE OLD OPERATING THEATRE MUSEUM AND HERB GARRET St. Thomas street

In the attic space of the old St Thomas Church a herb garret was set up by the St. Thomas
hospital for the drying and curing of medicinal herbs. when the hospital decided in 1822 that
the creation of a new operating theatre was necessary the intervening wall was knocked
through and a part of the herb garret was converted for use as a theatre.

It had been in use till 1862 when the railway line from London bridge to Waterloo was being
developed St. Thomas'Hospital moved to Lambeth. Florence Nightingale was involved in the
planning of the move having set up a nursing school ath e Southwark site in 1859.

Pre Listerian (see Lister) wooden operating tables,velvet covered surgery utensil holders,
no anaesthetics or antiseptics