Museum of the History of Lithuanian Medicine and Pharmacy
The Museum of the History of Lithuanian Medicine and Pharmacy (Lithuanian: Lietuvos medicinos ir farmacijos istorijos muziejus) is located in a restored 16th-century building at the Town Hall Square in the Old Town of Kaunas, Lithuania. It moved to its current location in 1987, although its history dates to 1936.[1] Alfonsas Kaikaris (1922–1997), a professor of pharmacy, is credited as the founder of the museum; his personal collection formed the basis of its holdings.[2] The Lithuanian Pharmacists' Union worked to collect materials as well.[1] It is sponsored by Kaunas University of Medicine.[1]
The museum's permanent collection consists of the belongings of Lithuanian doctors, pharmacists and hospitals, along with medical and pharmaceutical implements and documents. Temporary exhibitions commemorate prominent doctors' and pharmacists' anniversaries.[1] The exhibits include dental equipment along with displays of archaic medications such as “Erektosan” (an herbal version of Viagra), love potions, “Venus Hair Potion,” and “Caput Mortuum” (a medieval male vitality booster and epilepsy treatment composed of dead heads).[3][4]
There one can enjoy the scenes of pre-history of medicine and pharmacy – watching exhibition stands arranged with great inventiveness and authenticity: presenting a shaman curing a baby as well as a Lithuanian sorceress.
References
- "MUSEUM OF THE HISTORY OF LITHUANIA MEDICINE AND PHARMACY". Lithuanian Museum's Association. Archived from the original on 2009-09-22. Retrieved 2009-01-07.
- "Prof. Alfonsas Kaikaris -- the founder of the Lithuanian Pharmacy Museum: his personality and scientific activities". Medicina (Kaunas). 38 (10): 1033–7. 2002. PMID 12532714.
- Neil Taylor (30 December 2008). Baltic Cities. Bradt Travel Guides. p. 225. ISBN 978-1-84162-247-7. Retrieved 12 April 2011.
- Inés Pacheco; Let's Go; Inc. (27 November 2007). Let's go: Europe 2008. Macmillan. p. 687. ISBN 978-0-312-37448-8. Retrieved 12 April 2011.