The original caption may contain language which is historic and which may no longer be considered appropriate. It has been retained in the record in the interest of historical accuracy.
The caption on the reverse of the photograph reads: “New building for a London Medical School. On Thursday the Earl of Anthlone will declare open the new Pathological Block of Guy’s Hospital Medical School, London, which has just been completed at a cost of £85,000. The building will be one of the finest research centres in the Empire. In the Pathological Block is housed the hospital’s Bacteriological Department, in which are carried out all the bacteriological examinations for the patients in the wards and for out-patients. Here also are made vaccines and other preparations for inoculation treatment. A section of the department is devoted to experimental and research work in bacteriology. But the bacteriological work is only a part of that which is being carried on in the Pathological Block. The remainder of the building is devoted to other medical research and to the teaching of the medical practitioners of the future. Photo shows:- The bacteria contaminating test tubes and bottles must be killed before the containers are safe for handling by the operators who wash them. This is done in a steam chest in which they are subjected to heat and considerable pressure. In this chest are frequently killed enough bateria (sic) to wipe out the population of London.”
Pressure steam sterilisation was developed in the late 19th century. Few developments occurred until the 1950s when central sterile services were gradually developed nationally along with the introduction of standards for construction of autoclaves. See also MED01/01/0011 and MED01/01/0013-0016. High-resolution copies of this image are available for free for non-commercial use. Please Enquire to place an order.
This is part of the Series: MED01/01 Series of prints; within the Collection: MED01 Topical Press Agency Medical Collection
Source: Historic England Archive
Photographer: Topical Press Agency Limited
Photographer: Harrison, Norman Kingsley
Hospital, Laboratory, Health And Welfare, People At Work, Science And Technology, Women's History
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