January 12, 2007
Beautiful 19th century papier mache brain:
Medical history website Physick has some images of a wonderful papier mache brain created in the 19th Century as an anatomical aid for doctors.
Human cadavers were difficult to get hold of in the 19th Century (at least legitimately) and the whole exercise was a bit murky, even for medical education.
Consequently, a large number of anatomical models were created from wax, or in this case papier mache, to teach anatomy to medical students.
This means there's now some beautifully crafted and artistic anatomical models in museums around the world.
Link to papier mache brain exhibit.
Link to Brain Hammer with more brain-related Physick exhibits.
