You may have uttered "ouch" on a recent trip to the café at MMS headquarters. This fall, the glass case that housed the medical botany display during spring and summer hosted a display of medical instruments used during the 1700s and 1800s. The "What on Earth?" exhibit (see photo) displayed materials from the private collection of a generous MMS member and trustee of the Boston Medical Library who wishes to remain anonymous. "It wasn't all HMOs and drug reps for most of the Society's history," said the donor, while placing a bone saw from the 1700s into the case.

Photo by Linda Quain

The most recent exhibit houses a less-gruesome assortment of bygone instruments used to measure blood pressure and listen to a patient's heart and lungs.

Members are encouraged to take advantage of the MMS Branch of the Boston Medical Library and the expertise of librarian Elizabeth Fitzpayne. Additionally, MMS members have full access and borrowing privileges to the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, including an outstanding collection of resources on the practice and tools of medicine before the advent of anesthesia, when medical reputations were built on speed.

While the MMS Branch of the Boston Medical Library is open 24 hours, Ms. Fitzpayne is available to assist you during regular business hours. She is an invaluable resource, whether you're researching the first surgery under anesthesia or information on more current topics.

For more information about library resources, contact Elizabeth Fitzpayne at efitzpayne@mms.org, call (781) 434-7691, or visit www.massmed.org/pages/bml_branch.asp.

- Ariana Keyser