Nuremberg (dpa / lby) – The German National Museum in Nuremberg is highlighting the long tradition, but also the many similarities between craft and medicine, in a new part of its permanent exhibition. “Both made a significant contribution to improving the quality of life and both were driven by a great urge for innovation and progress,” said museum director Daniel Hess on Tuesday. Germany’s largest cultural history museum will now reopen the department after it has been remodeled, renovated and redesigned.
From Thursday, visitors will be able to view handcrafted devices and medical instruments from the early 16th to the late 19th century again. Around 700 exhibits can be seen. One of the oldest is a precious tailor’s cup from 1586 in the shape of a thimble, which the museum says shows the craftsmanship of the metalworkers. Whoever enters the exhibition passes an old locksmith’s tree, which bears witness to the journeymen’s movements on the waltz. They had to hammer a nail into the beam when they passed it.
In the medicine department, among other things, a midwife’s case, various birth and dental forceps and prostheses are on display. A special feature is a surgical suture pattern from the early 18th century, of which only five have survived according to the museum. Three of them are in the collection in Nuremberg. Two historic pharmacies complete the building with a prescription table, scales, mortar and prescription books.
