*** This is a post of the macabre, death and skeletons and olden days hospitals. Please back away if you are not up for content like that***

Hello There 🙂

I have to admit to always having a fascination with anatomic drawings and medical history.

A couple of years ago I went to an Archaeology Laboratory where we had a talk and were taken around some of the skeletons and loose bones recovered from a 2013 excavation at the burial site for the John Radcliffe Infirmary in Oxford which was opened in 1770. The intention was to recover the bones of those who had died and to ensure that they had a proper peaceful resting place (they were reburied properly) and learn about the medical practices that had taken place at the teaching hospital during the 1800s. The site was to be closed and redeveloped so it was important that the recovery happened before the site was disturbed by the foundations and landscaping plans began.

It was a very sobering experience as we looked at the Skeletons and were shown the evidence within the bones of diseases such as tuberculosis and cancer. We also met individuals’ who had awful accidents, trepanation and amputations at a time when painkillers had not existed. There was a very low survival rate at the hospital and a lot of families did not have the means to claim their loved ones so they were buried on the site.

Before the site was demolished, it was used as an eye hospital, which I was an outpatient at as I have a squint. I clearly remember the high ceilings and the chunky radiators banging in the waiting room. It felt cold. It wasn’t a happy place. I was due to have botox injections in the muscle at the back of my eyes while I was awake to freeze them as my squint was getting worse. I remember sitting in the waiting room waiting for it to be done.e (it didn’t get done in the end which I am thankful for). It is crazy to think what was below our feet all along.

I raise a glass to all of the folks of the past. I obviously didnt know them, but Their bones told me their stories and I certainly will never forget.

Heres a digital rework of a skull drawing i did a while ago.

Digital Painting 2021

Take care

Rahford