The Adler Museum of Medicine
The Adler Museum of Medicine forms part of the University of the Witwatersrand’s Medical School campus in Parktown, Johannesburg, and is a wealth of information on the history of medicine, pharmacy and dentistry through the ages. If you’re looking for an educational outing in the city, or have a particular interest in medical science, the Adler Museum won’t disappoint.
The Adlers, who founded the museum. Image courtesy WITS University.
The museum houses a range of original medical instruments, many of them in near-perfect condition, documentation, pictures, sculptures, exhibitions and video footage, as well as a library of rare medical books. It is both a research centre for students, as well as an interesting place for members of the general public to explore.
The displays are by no means restricted to only one aspect of medicine and include exhibitions and information dedicated to alternative and traditional medical and healing practices as well, including a display on acupuncture and an African herb shop. There is a series of intricate reconstructions, including replicas of early surgeries, as well as a collection of film showings to enjoy. Some of the displays are not for the faint-hearted, but they are sure to leave you in awe of the way in which medicine has advanced.
Special displays relating to the fossils found at Sterkfontein Caves in the Cradle of Humankind are also worth viewing and provide interesting insight into the history of the World Heritage Site.
The museum regularly organises public lectures and seminars, as well as tours for the general public. You might even learn about treatments you have never heard of before. One of the museum’s latest presentations, for example, is on “energy medicine”, an alternative healing solution, and there are also displays dedicated to ancient practices such as Tibb (Unani) and Ayurveda.
The museum was founded by Dr Cyril Adler in 1962 to collect and protect material illustrative of South African medical development. It was originally located at the South African Institute for Medical Research. Today, the museum is funded by the Faculty of Health Sciences at Wits University and is held in high regard for its valuable collection of artefacts and resources. It is considered a rich reflection on medical history and well worth a visit.
Visiting hours
Weekdays between 09h30 and 16h00.