Letters from the 19th century. ‘A Lost Art?’, by hehaden [flickr.com/hellie55]. License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/
An anesthesiology museum houses a fascinating acupuncture artifact.
The Wood Library-Museum of Anesthesiology (so close to hometown Chicago!) has catalogued these early 19th century British acupuncture needles. It’s unclear from their website whether these are replicas or the real thing—used by the English surgeon, James Morss Churchill. The tools were made from thick-gauged sewing needles, equipped with ivory handles.
Dr Churchill wrote A Treatise on Acupuncturation in 1821. It was the first book in the English language on acupuncture.
From www.woodlibrarymuseum.org:
“When asked how his acupuncture worked, the English surgeon preferred ‘preserving a profound silence.’
…a grateful 3rd Earl of Egremont would reward Churchill’s acupuncture prowess (in relieving the Earl’s rheumatism and sciatica) with both fame and fortune.”
The Wood Library-Museum of Anesthesiology is located in Schaumburg, IL.
Carl is a former engineer who applies rational thought to the often subjective nature of traditional healing. He practices acupuncture in San Diego, CA.