Close-up of a 1930s iron lung, with text describing its manufacturer.

MUSEUM BLOG

Explore our blog to learn about pieces from Canada’s largest collection of medical artifacts, discover the lesser-known history of health care, or hear about all of the exciting developments at the Canadian Museum of Health Care.

The Story of Nora Valleau and her career in nursing

The Story of Nora Valleau and her career in nursing

If you happen to be browsing through the Museum of Health Care’s online database in the nursing category, you might notice that a lot of the artefacts therein-- 185, in fact-- were donated by one Nora Valleau.

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Museum Committee Members Wanted!
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Museum Committee Members Wanted!

We are looking for enthusiastic committee members who will help support museum staff and work diligently to support our mission and vision. Our vision is to be recognized as the national resource for Canada’s evolving health and healthcare history. Our mission is to inspire wonder, promote learning and create knowledge that contributes to a better future in health and healthcare.

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The Story of Dr. James Third and his x-ray innovations

The Story of Dr. James Third and his x-ray innovations

He began working with x-rays in 1897, effectively picking up where John Cochrane, the first man to bring x-rays to Kingston, had left off. Dr. Third was responsible for the installation of x-rays in Kingston General Hospital, and he soon began discovering new ways they could be used for diagnosis, such as detecting pneumonia and tuberculosis, as well as using a fluorescent screen with the x-ray tube to observe real-time movement of the heart and lungs.

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The Story of Ernest Hanna and His Prosthetic Legs
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The Story of Ernest Hanna and His Prosthetic Legs

Around the year 1931, when he was thirty-five years old, Ernest was involved in an accident while driving a horse and carriage (or sleigh!), when his horse bolted and Ernest sustained a compound fracture of his left femur. His wounds became infected and Ernest was forced to have his leg amputated.

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"Sick City" Outdoor Guided Tour Tickets Now on Sale
History of Healthcare, Museums, Programs & Events, Uncategorized Canadian Museum of Health Care History of Healthcare, Museums, Programs & Events, Uncategorized Canadian Museum of Health Care

"Sick City" Outdoor Guided Tour Tickets Now on Sale

Walk in the footsteps of some of Kingston’s earliest residents and arrivals as they engage in a quest for health care in the Limestone City. The story of establishment of one of Canada’s oldest public hospitals, Kingston General Hospital, is one full of success and sacrifice, triumph and tragedy. Join us for a fascinating look into the lives of those that lived, arrived and died here, as we unlock the secrets of Kingston’s medical history.

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Creating an Outdoor Walking Tour
Museums, Programs & Events, Students, Interns and ... Canadian Museum of Health Care Museums, Programs & Events, Students, Interns and ... Canadian Museum of Health Care

Creating an Outdoor Walking Tour

This summer, I had the opportunity to complete a thorough revamp of the Outdoor Tour program that the Museum has offered for many years. It was a long and tedious but ultimately rewarding process. With this in mind, I thought it might be helpful or interesting to others to explain how I went about the project to transform a few abstract ideas into a polished Museum product, ready for the public to enjoy for years to come.

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Maternal Mental Health Care

Maternal Mental Health Care

More so than practically any other healthcare subject, mental health topics have acquired a need in recent decades for routine updating and research to compensate for centuries of misinformation. The infiltration of the Maternal Mental Hygiene movement and Attachment Theory into the minds and maternity manuals of Canada can shed light onto the progression of the treatment of maternal mental health across the decades.

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