Museum of Surgical Science: cool, gross, kinda freaky.

May 13th, 2008

This post is dedicated to Riki. Riki is the Micky to my Rocky.

He’s been getting my ass in gear to take care of this blog business, which in case you didn’t notice, and I know you did, I’ve been getting some shit done. On Friday, as I was putting on my grey sweat suit to go jog around town, he said “OK kid, what’re we gonna do for the blog this weekend, eh?!” He helped me pick 6 things to do (4 which we did do, including watching the bane of my existence Brewster’s Millions), and then he sent me out to chase some chickens in a circle for a while. Sorry, enough of that.

Sunday we woke up to a miserable spring Chicago day. The weather in Chicago really is a joy, I could just snuggle it for hours. It was pouring buckets, and when we walked outside I was nearly knocked over by the wind. At one point I just stood and yelled and leaned into the wind, because that was all that there was to be done.

We finally made it (by bus) to the Museum of Surgical Science. The Museum is so awesome - It’s an old mansion on Lake Shore Drive at North Avenue. The second you walk in you already feel creeped out, but in that cool way, like walking through a cemetery. The building itself is amazing - everything about it feels full of history. It has a huge marble staircase, long empty rooms and corridors.. It’s the kind of place that if I was ever locked inside overnight (it’s possible, it happens in every Nancy Drew novel, right?) I would just lay in the corner and weep, and then slowly go insane. All before morning.

Here are some pictures to help you get an idea of the place. But really, you should go. (Disclosure: The museum has paid me $5,000,000 in unmarked bills to review it on my blog)

Let me tell you about this photo. This is an amputation set, circa 1700-1800. How absolutely wonderful.

There are these really beautiful paintings all throughout the museum, even if the subject matter is hard to stomach. This guy was nice enough to show us the Ye Olde Time Amputation set in action.

This woman is doing a little better. Actually, maybe she’s just dead. Note to self: Do not have a kid, ever.

This guy comes alive at midnight and murders you if you’re around.

Here is where I started to get nauseous.

This was sad - it’s an iron lung used to treat kids with polio in the 40s and 50s.

These are Trephines, circa 1800-1900. The card says “Used to drill holes in patient’s skulls.” Wow. Here is where I threw up a little bit.

And here’s this guy, he was treated with a trephine. Apparently this does not kill you. I won’t argue this.

This one is for all my male readers. All one of you.

And, another skull with a hole. This makes me appreciate a fully intact skull.

I spared you some of the grossest parts of the exhibit, like the glass case full of kidney stones. wtf!

Afterwards, we were sooo hungry as you can imagine, so we hopped back on the bus and rode up to Ras Dashen for Ethiopian food. I’ve never been there before, and it was really, really delicious. A perfect warm, spicy meal for a cold and rainy Sunday. I had a great Ethiopian beer with mine, and in the process, I checked number 40 off the list. Well, we didn’t bike to the restaurant, but we did ride the bus for 2 years to get there, and 2 years home, so I’m counting it.

In conclusion: I suggest you go to the museum, get grossed out, go get Ethiopian food, and then head home for a nap. It makes for a good day.

Entry Filed under: Problem Solved