BaillieThe June 2007 wick Volume 10, Issue 2 The Doctor was Framed: Portrait of 19th Century Physician Joins Collection By Paul Robertson, Curator

Page 2 Museum Highlights the Battle of the Windmill near Prescott, Ontario in 1838. In his short life, Dr. Reynolds Page 3 played many roles. He was later chairman of the Board of Executive Director’s Education in Brockville, the Message first Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Canada West, Inter- national Order of Odd Fellows, Pages 4 & 5 and a contributor to the jour- nals of the Canadian Institute Curatorial Corner and the Smithsonian Institu- tion, and the British-American Page 6 Medical Journal. Education Edge Although we do not yet know the name of the paint- ing’s artist, this is a fine exam- Page 7 ple of traditional medical por- traiture. The subject is por- Welcoming New Faces A new face has joined the Museum of trayed with the tools of the medical trade: Health Care – young and self-confident, a skull and a book of anatomy, traditional this new gentleman is a welcome addition symbols of profession. The existence of Page 8 to the institution. this portrait is particularly significant, par- List of Donors ticularly because it was done for a young Our newest “staff member” is a nota- physician in the early part of his career in ble arrival: the first painted portrait of a a country where formal medical training Canadian physician to enter the collec- was still emerging. tion of the Museum of Health Care. Dr. Thomas Reynolds (1820-1859) trained in Dr. Reynolds’ portrait descended the early 1840s in Edinburgh and at through the family line to Archibald McGill College, Montreal and later “Archie” Edward Malloch (Queen’s BA practiced in Brockville, Ontario. 1948), a McGill English professor. His widow Mrs. Barbara Malloch generously In an age when the lack of local insti- donated the painting to the Museum in tutions forced most would-be Canadian 2007. doctors to head to medical schools in the United States, Dr. Reynolds represents the Come and meet Dr. Reynolds later in first wave of Canadian-born and trained the summer when he goes on exhibit at physicians. Prior to entering medicine, he the Museum! served as a volunteer with British forces fending off an American rebel invasion at

1 Museum Highlights

Architecture as Artefact: Health Care History as told by the Buildings of KGH by Danielle Pacey, Walking Tour Guide

You may know one of the reasons for In 1894, a new facility, the Doran Build- Kingston General Hospital’s designation ing, was built specifically for the care of as a National Historic Site: that KGH’s female patients and was designed accord- main building served as the House of Par- ing to sanitization principles popularized liament for the United Province of Canada by Florence Nightingale, as well as in rec- from 1841 to 1844. You might not be so ognition of the value of antisepsis and familiar, though, with the second reason: asepsis. Built in pavilion style, the design that every building of substance ever built of the Doran Building aimed for patient on KGH property since 1835 is still stand- comfort and health through cleanliness ing and in use today. After over 170 years and good ventilation. Sunlight and clean of expansion and development, the hos- air entered the building freely through the pital now boasts the most complete col- large windows and sun porches. In a very lection of public hospital buildings in progressive move, though, Doran was al- Canada. most entirely isolated from the rest of the Participants on the Astonishing Past of hospital in order to prevent the transmis- These buildings, like so many in King- sion of infections. Doran staff didn’t have Kingston General Hospital Walking Tour, ston, serve as artefacts in themselves, tell- contact with patients in other parts of the outside of the original building constructed ing through their architecture the story hospital, and separate wards were desig- in 1835. of health care’s development since the nated for different cases. It even had its early 1800s. One such development was own operating room, which was outfitted that of germ theory, the advancement of with metal and glass fixtures instead of The Museum in which had a substantial impact on build- wood, since metal and glass were much the News! ing design over the years. easier to keep clean. The first hospital building, completed Over the years, Kingston General Hos- It seems that everywhere you look these in 1835, was built near the water because pital has continued to expand, and many days, our Museum is there (and that’s how its rural location was quiet and clean. This more fascinating examples of architectural we like it)! These are just a few of the reflected the early 19th century belief that innovation can be found on KGH prop- places we’ve been seen: disease was transmitted by bad air, also erty. The first hospital building, the Nickle called miasma. Natural ventilation was Wing, and the Doran Building are only • Canadian Nurse magazine’s January the main form of preventive medicine at three of the buildings which not only re- 2007 issue included an article about the time; hence the large windows and flect the development of health care, but the Museum’s online artefact database numerous balconies on the first building, the ever-evolving role of the hospital in • In February, the Kingston Whig- designed to receive the stiff breeze from the Kingston community. Standard published a page 2 article by the lake. Jack Chiang about the Museum’s To tour the grounds of Kingston Gen- Heritage Week tours, and their March By the end of the 19th century, in con- eral Hospital and learn more about what 16th issue included a photo of our trast, germ theory had become much more makes KGH a historical treasure, why not new Rockwood Asylum exhibit (read complex. The designers of the Nickle try the “Astonishing Past of Kingston more about this exhibit on page 5 of Wing, built in 1891, had in mind the pa- General Hospital” Walking Tour? These this newsletter) tient with a contagious illness in need of one-hour tours run Tuesday through Sun- • Our Curator Paul Robertson was isolation. When it was built, the second day, rain or shine, at 11a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 interviewed about the evolution of floor was only accessible by an outside p.m., throughout the summer, departing the hospital gown for a Toronto Star staircase. A new emphasis on hygiene from the Museum at 32 George Street. article published May 11th could be seen in the wall design: the cor- Admission is $5 for adults and free for • The “Living Well” section of Kingston ners of the rooms were filled in and children 14 and under. Group rates are Life magazine’s Summer 2007 issue rounded, and all the edges were beveled available, but please call ahead to make features an article entitled “The so that the rooms could be easily cleaned. your booking! Museum of Health Care: Lessons of the Past Create Teachings for the Future” by writer Sabitri Ghosh. Pick up a copy today!

2 An Astonishing Example of Health Executive Director’s Message Care in Canada By Dr. James Low, Executive Director The development of health care in L1,000. The government, in 1832, ap- Wing and received formal training, Kingston is reflected in the two National proved a grant of L1,000 annually for amounting to about 12 hours a week, in Historic Sites, the Kingston General Hos- three years to build a hospital. Although the hospital. In exchange they formed the pital and the Ann Baillie Building. construction was delayed during the chol- principal labour force of the hospital, era epidemic in 1834, the building was working long hours attending to patients In 1815, Kingston was a community of completed in 1835. However there were on the wards and in the operating rooms. 3000; a population which gradually in- no funds to open or operate the hospital. creased over the next 50 years to approxi- The Main Building was finally opened as The nurses’ home, completed in 1904, mately 12,000. Society included an up- a hospital in 1845. acknowledged the advance of nursing as per class of government officials and sen- a profession critical to the institution. In ior military personnel, a middle class of Religious orders for centuries had pro- 1997, the Historic Sites and Monuments merchants, shopkeepers, and tradesmen vided nursing services for the destitute Board recommended the Nurses’ Home, and the urban poor. A large annual mi- and the sick. There were no secular nurs- now the Ann Baillie Building, to be of his- gration occurred of immigrants, many of ing training programs when Florence toric significance. The following com- whom were destitute and sick and repre- Nightingale demonstrated the importance memorative plaque was unveiled in 1999. sented a major problem for this small of nursing in the maintenance of sanita- community. tion and the prevention of suffering and “One of the earliest nurses’ residences in ill health during the Crimean War. The Canada, this stately building symbolizes the Sickness and particularly infections role and need for nursing services was development and recognition of nursing as were a constant problem in the commu- highlighted during the American Civil a profession. The home was completed in nity. These infections were responsible for War, and the end of the war recognized 1904 for students at the Kingston General loss of life with a high mortality among nursing as a respectable profession for Hospital nursing school, who cared for pa- infants, children and young adults. Chol- women. tients in the wards and operating rooms as era epidemics occurred in 1832, 1834, part of their training. The building was later 1849 and 1854. A major Typhus epidemic In 1885, Dr. Fenwick recommended to named in honour of Ann Baillie, a graduate occurred in 1847. These epidemics, the Board that a nursing school should be of the school and its superintendent from brought to Canada by the annual influx established at the Kingston General Hos- 1924 to 1942. Here as elsewhere, a place of of immigrants, had a devastating effect on pital. He said: their own helped nurses shape a professional the community. role indispensable to health care within the “it is only those who have had the serv- hospital and in the community.” Traditionally, the care of the sick oc- ices of a thoroughly trained nurse during a curred in the home. However the com- severe illness that can appreciate their value Little built heritage of this era remains munity recognized the needs of the desti- and how suffering can be mitigated and even in Canada. What is astonishing is the qual- tute and sick urban poor and immigrants. life prolonged.” ity of the work that allows these limestone The Female Benevolent Society, estab- buildings that reflect the evolution of lished in 1820, maintained a temporary The nursing school began in 1886, pro- health care in Kingston to continue to be hospital in an old blockhouse to provide viding a two-year training program lead- relevant to a present day health science food, shelter and free medical care be- ing to a diploma. Its organization was typi- centre. tween November and May each year. cal of nursing programs established at many large English-speaking hospitals in In 1831, a community meeting was Canada during this period. Initially nurs- held regarding the building of a public ing students lived on a floor of the Nickle hospital. Eighty donors subscribed

Curatorial Corner Artefact Named! by Paul Robertson, Curator In our January 2007 issue we featured a mystery artefact from our collection. We are thrilled to announce that with the help of some savvy readers, we can now put “a name to the face”!

Pictured here is a triturate tabletting machine, manufactured by the Arthur Colton Company of Detroit. This hand-operated machine, circa 1907, was used to make small tablets out of powdered drugs (also called triturates).

Many thanks go to Ernie Stieb and Glenn Sonnedecker for their super sleuthing! 3 Curatorial Corner

Travelling Road Show: “Nursing: 1900-1930” By Paul Robertson, Curator

Nursing is clearly a profession in the “fast lane” – nurses are always on the run in the course of a regular day. That is why it seemed appropriate to document the history of nursing through a “traveling” exhibit – artefacts on the run you could say.

The brainchild of 2007 Kingston Gen- eral Hospital Nursing Week activities or- ganizer and nurse Jennifer Perry, the Mu- seum of Health Care responded with a double-decker trolley loaded with nurs- ing artefacts, documents, and photos from KGH nursing school in the early 1900s. Museum staff Kathy Karkut and Paul Robertson and their roving museum cart followed Jennifer to the various nursing “I couldn’t wait to graduate so I could were horrified by the tongue depressors stations throughout Kingston General get out of the white uniform,” another on display that more resembled instru- Hospital over a two-day period in early recalled. Almost all of the senior nurses ments of torture. The 1921 schedule of May. mentioned the disappearance of the nursing fees drew many comments (12- starched white cap, the most dramatic hour duty earned $4.00 a day; 24-hour “By the time all the layers of clothing change in a nurse’s appearance in the past duty with smallpox patients earned $50 a and starched collar, bibs, belts, slip, and 25 years and still regarded by many as week). Current nursing students who stockings were put on, there were about symbolic of the nursing profession. encountered the artefact cart got a glimpse 14 layers of clothing,” one nurse re- of “the good ol’ days.” counted from her early days in the pro- Most were intrigued at the similarity of fession. “It was really uncomfortable in some equipment such as emesis dishes The wheels of history keep turning. August!” and bedpans to current models. Many

Museum Storage Moves Off-site by Paul Robertson, Curator Name That Artefact! The ongoing Museum storage upgrade space is secure and has a stable environ- Can you guess what this is? project is taking a new direction. As com- ment, it cannot support the needs of par- This Museum of Health Care modious as the Ann Baillie Building is, its ticularly delicate objects requiring special artefact kind of looks like an outer walls can only be stretched so far. humidity and temperature controls. Only old-fashioned telephone, but Because we are restricted from adding any items in stable condition will be trans- believe it or not, it actually further additions to the current structure, ferred. has to do with trains! Check there are clear limits to our available space out page 6 for the answer. for exhibitions, public programming, col- This expansion of the Museum’s stor- lection storage, technical services, and age potential will greatly aid future col- administration. lecting and allow the curator to consider certain larger objects that do not easily fit This reality has led to the decision to on a shelf or in a drawer. shift some artefacts to a location outside the Museum. Beginning in July 2007, An additional goal of this storage curatorial staff will initiate the setup and project is to clear all of the remaining transfer of most large objects in the col- ground floor storerooms of any remain- lection to an off-site commercial storage ing artefacts. The newly freed up spaces facility in the north end of Kingston. We will make valuable additions to our exhi- are currently assessing the collection to bition galleries and public and education determine the best candidates to move to programming areas. the new storehouse. Although this new

4 New Exhibits Curatorial Corner by Paul Robertson, Curator

Rockwood’s architecture and beautiful site were a point of civic pride for Kingstonians and regularly featured on postcards in the early 1900s.

Rockwood Asylum: Refuge & Renewal 1878-1905 At Providence Care, Mental Health Services Of all of the ailments that afflict hu- paints a vivid picture of life and condi- mans, mental illness remains one of the tions at Rockwood during this period. least understood. Without obvious physi- cal symptoms, sufferers can go undiag- Rockwood Asylum: Refuge & Renewal, nosed by health professionals and misun- 1878-1905 is located at the Providence derstood and mistreated by society. Care, Mental Health Services site at 752 King Street West, Kingston, in the front Until the mid-1800s in Canada, treat- lobby of the Westwood Building. This ment of psychiatric patients could often exhibit will remain on display indefinitely. be described as inadequate, misguided, and even cruel. Beginning at this time, Kingston General Hospital, there was a distinct shift in the institu- School of Nursing, 1886 – 1974 tional care and treatment of people iden- In the Museum tified with mental illness. Across Ontario, imposing institutional asylums replaced The Museum’s quarters, the Ann Baillie the gaols that had formerly housed pa- Building, is also the symbolic home for tients. A movement away from brutal the members of the alumnae of the KGH confinements, tortures, and various me- School of Nursing. In honour of the dicinal treatments (including alcohol) alumnae’s annual gathering in June 2007, coincided with an emerging understand- curator Paul Robertson and assistant cu- ing of mental illness as a disease that can rator Kathy Karkut mounted a temporary be treated. exhibit featuring more artefacts from the Museum’s extensive KGH nursing collec- Opened in mid March 2007 at the site tion to complement existing displays. of Kingston’s former Rockwood Asylum, a new gallery houses a long-term exhibit New this year is a showcase featuring Ann Baillie, then and now: exploring the dynamic era at the end of several trays of surgical instruments made the 19th century when the treatment of up for the operating room, 1950s-style. In 1963, the recently refurbished the mentally ill was transformed from one Test your memories! Can you tell which “snack room” in the residence’s base- of hiding the afflicted from society to one surgical procedure each tray is laid out ment was an oasis for nursing students of treatment, rehabilitation, and formal for? Our thanks to museum volunteer and between classes and hospital rounds. scientific study. Drawing upon the rich retired operating room nurse Claire Kelly This same space now serves as sanc- collection of artefacts and images from the for her expert guidance with this display. tuary to some of the Museum’s larger former Kingston Psychiatric Hospital col- artefacts. lection and the collections of the Museum This exhibit will remain on show until of Health Care, curator Paul Robertson the winter. 5 Education Edge

A Brood of Initiatives by Marjorie Bousfield, Education Officer • started up a little e-newsletter for As classes wind down, we are prepar- teachers, with features such as ing for another fun summer of Hands-on- Artefact of the Month (http:// Heritage day camps (http:// Late winter and spring have been busy www.museumofhealthcare.ca/ www.museumofhealthcare.ca/Hands-on- times for the Education Section of the ArtefactoftheMonth.html) and Quick Heritage.html). Once again, small groups museum. We Question of the Month (http:// of 8-12 year-olds will come to us at the www.museumofhealthcare.ca/ end (Friday afternoon) of a full week of • ran our first March Break programs QuickQuestionoftheMonth.html), doing hands-on crafts and activities de- (http://www.museumofhealthcare.ca/ veloped by specialists at various Kingston MarchBreakPrograms.html), • finished and presented our new heritage sites – a day camp with a differ- program on diabetes, aimed at grade 8 ence! • hosted two Teacher Candidates from students, the Faculty of Education at Queen’s If you missed joining us in any of these for their Alternative Practicum (http:/ • began to pilot our programs in the events or programs this year, you’ll get a /www.museumofhealthcare.ca/ western section of the Upper Canada chance next school year, which will be AlternativePracticum.html), School Board, upon us before we know it! • participated in both the regional • and delivered all but our Diabetes and Science and regional heritage Fairs, Healthy, Active Living programs giving Special Awards at both (http:// (http://www.museumofhealthcare.ca/ www.museumofhealthcare.ca/ programsoffered.html) to schools ScienceFair.html, http:// within our local boards from King- www.museumofhealthcare.ca/ ston to Amherst Island to Whitney! HeritageFair.html),

Museum award winners (from top): Lizzy Smith & Skyler Waddington of École Lundy’s Lane (Heritage Fair, project about health care in 19th- century Canada), Caroline Reid of Sempar School (Heritage Fair, project about the KGH Nursing School), and Storrington P.S. grade 5 student Christopher Adams (Science Fair, project “AAAAHHHH Pandemic!!”)

Name That Artefact! Answer

The artefact is Dr. C.H. William’s Lantern for testing col- our blindness. An oil lamp or can- dle was placed inside the case and the light would shine out through a dial with different colour plates of glass in it to produce different colour lights, which the person would have to identify. Dr. C.H. Williams developed this diagnos- tic tool in 1899, after a series of train wrecks, which were thought to have been caused by colour- blind engine drivers!

6 Welcoming New Faces New Staff Member

Assistant Curator Kathy Karkut returns Danielle Pacey is our Summer ’07 Tour to the museum after 13 years; Kathy cata- Guide, something she’s definitely thrilled logued our original historical collection about. In the fall, she will return to Hali- during the initial stage of its transforma- fax, NS, to start the second year of a com- tion into a museum. Kathy has worked bined honours program of History of Sci- for museums as an exhibit designer, col- ence and Technology and German at the lections manager, museum manager and University of King’s College. Danielle’s consultant. Kathy is also the Vice Chair interests include cooking, early 20th cen- of the newly formed Municipal Heritage tury German and French art, existential Kathy Committee for the Town of Gananoque. philosophy, and language preservation.

Summer Research Fellow Vincent Perez is a final year interdisci- plinary design student at the Nova Scotia Andrea Terry, a PhD candidate in the College of Art and Design. He has worked Department of Art at Queen’s University, in a number of gallery settings in roles is this summer’s Margaret Angus Research ranging from docent work to directorship. Fellow. This summer Andrea He hopes that his experiences as a Cura- is conducting research related to the life torial Assistant at the Museum of Health and work of the Kingston-based artist Care will contribute to his versatility as a Marjorie Winslow who, in the cultural worker. His interests include art, Andrea 1940s, produced a series of medical wax design and community activation. sculptures, otherwise known as moulages, for the Faculty of Medicine at Queen’s, New Volunteer now part of the Museum’s collection. Sheila Cornett began as a volunteer Summer Staff cataloguing assistant in January 2007. A Queen’s graduate, now semi-retired, she Museum Interpreter Terrence Liu is currently works part-time in Stauffer Li- excited to contribute to the development brary, and is heavily into ‘felting’. She of the museum, and to expand his own has previously worked as a volunteer Terrence horizons. Having completed a Bachelor’s steward for the National Trust for Eng- in the biological sciences at Queen’s, land and Wales at Berrington Hall, Her- Terrence will be returning to the same efordshire. university in the fall to complete his MA. Terrence’s hobbies include drama, photog- raphy, and of course, history.

Congratulations to Our Distinguished Leaders! Danielle The Museum Board and Staff would like to congratulate our Executive Di- rector Dr. James Low and Board Chair Alan Grant on the recent recognition of their service to Queen’s University and the Kingston community.

Dr. Low was the recipient of a Distinguished Service Award from the Uni- versity Council at Queen’s University, awarded at a ceremony on May 4th. The Distinguished Service Award honours Dr. Low’s illustrious career in clinical care, research, medical education, and departmental administration in the field of obstetrics and gynaecology, in addition to his commitment to the founda- tion and development of the Museum of Health Care. Vincent

Alan Grant was awarded a Distinguished Citizen Award from the City of Kingston in a ceremony which took place on June 15th. The award recognizes Mr. Grant’s long record of volunteer service to the community including his work as the Executive Director of Hospice Palliative Care, as a board member for the Kingston Arts Council, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Kingston Symphony, Marine Museum of the Great Lakes at Kingston, and of course, as Board Chair for our own Museum.

Sheila 7 List of Donors The Board and Staff of the Museum thank James Low (in memory of Ken KGH Nurses Alumnae the following for their generous dona- Buckingham) Kingston General Hospital tions of time and resources to the Muse- Estate of Helen Ruth Mahood (in Service Canada um’s activities from January to June 2007. memory of Ann Baillie) The Ontario Trillium Foundation Don Wilson Building Fund Operating Grant The following donors are making possi- Program Sponsors The Museum acknowledges with gratitude ble the installation of the elevator in the The Museum Education Program and the the Community Museum Operating Grant Ann Baillie Building: Collection Development Program are provided by the Ontario Ministry of Cul- made possible by the generous support ture Major Donors of the following sponsors in 2007: Anna & Edward C. Churchill Artefact Donors Foundation Brown’s Fine Food Services Mrs. Helen Ruth MacLachlan Department of Canadian Heritage – Anna & Edward C. Churchill Mrs. Barbara Malloch Cultural Spaces Program Foundation Penitentiary Museum, Kingston Lillian and Leroy Page Foundation Mrs. Ruth Connell Resuscitation & Trauma Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen’s Kingston General Hospital Donors University Dr. Charles Sorbie Alice Brown Society of Obstetricians and Mrs. Donna Tweddell Mary Dunn Gynaecologists of Canada and all of our new and renewing Members, Museum Endowment Fund Project Grants Sustaining Patrons, Donors and Volun- The Museum acknowledges with grati- Associated Medical Services teers. tude the following contributors to the Marilyn Boston Museum Endowment Fund: City of Kingston Healthy Community We are grateful to all who have helped the Fund Museum. If we have omitted someone, Lawrence Clein Department of Canadian Heritage – please let us know, and we will be sure to Thomas and Joan Goodall (in memory Museum Assistance Program add his or her name to the list in the next of Don Neil) Department of Canadian Heritage – Bailliewick issue. KGH Nursing Alumnae Young Canada Works Program

Donations Notice Coming Up…

• Please note that the A&P Save-a-Tape • The Astonishing Past of Kingston General Hospital Walking Tour continues to run program is now finished, as of Tuesdays through Sundays, departing at 11:00, 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. until September 2nd (by December 2006, which means that we appointment through the fall and winter). Enjoy history up close and personal as you are no longer able to redeem your explore the beautiful grounds and the fascinating stories of Kingston General Hospital. receipts for donations to the Museum. Thank you very much to everyone Approximately one-hour in duration; $5 per participant (14 and under free; group rates who supported the Museum through available). this program. • Come one, come all to hear juicy tales of health care history! The Museum is excited to • Help preserve the legacy of health present a regular schedule of guided exhibit tours coming this August. These entertaining care by considering donations to the and informative tours will run Wednesdays to Sundays at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., Museum in lieu of flowers and gifts at August 1st to September 2nd. Approximately 45 minutes in length; admission by donation. your next celebration. Donations go Museum staff are also happy to provide guided tours outside of these times; please a long way in helping make possible contact the Museum at 613-548-2419 to make arrangements. public programs, education programs, research, artefact preservation, exhibit • Plan to join us for our Annual Margaret Angus Research Evening (tentatively scheduled development and more. For informa- tion and donation forms, please for the fall of 2007) to hear Andrea Terry chronicle the fascinating life and work of contact us at 613-548-2419. Canadian artist Marjorie Winslow who, in the 1940s, produced wax medical sculptures for the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Queen s University Faculty of Medicine.

The Editor: Kirsi Rossborough, Layout: Mark Howes Baillie Phone: (613) 548-2419, E-mail: [email protected] wick Website: museumofhealthcare.ca 8