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Resources: Medical science and innovation in Ontario

19th-century porcelain leech jar – on display at the Niagara Apothecary in Niagara-on-the-Lake

Photo: This 19th-century porcelain leech jar – on display at the Niagara Apothecary in Niagara-on-the-Lake – used to hold live medicinal leeches. Leeches were a popular 19th century treatment for skin infections. Still used currently in hospitals for micro surgery to maintain venous circulation. The saliva of the leech contains a useful anticoagulant.

Published Date:
Feb 12, 2016

Medical heritage

By
Ontario Heritage Trust

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These web resources listed below provide an introduction to the history of medical science and innovation in Ontario:

Banting House

Canadian Bulletin of Medical History

Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

Canadian Museum of History: Making Medicare – The History of Healthcare in Canada, 1914-2007

Canadian Museum of History: Canadian Nursing History Collection

Canadian War Museum: Life at the Front: Medicine

Community Memories. Serving Our Veterans, Serving Our Community (1946-2011) – Sunnybrook Archives, Toronto (Virtual Museum of Canada)

The Discovery of Insulin at the University of Toronto: an exhibition celebrating the 75th anniversary

Getting Better (Virtual Museum of Canada)

The Healing Power of Plants (Virtual Museum of Canada)

Hillary House National Historic Site and the Koffler Museum of Medicine

Medical Records at the Archives of Ontario

Museum of Healthcare at Kingston

Niagara Apothecary Museum

The Promotion of Healthy Living in Ontario (Archives of Ontario)

Veterans Affairs Canada: The Nursing Sisters of Canada

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