Hidden Gems of London, Ontario: Canadian Medical Hall of Fame, UWO Medical Artifact Collection

Artifacts from the history of London, ON

By London Heritage Council, London, Ontario

100 Kellogg (2019) by 100 Kellogg LaneLondon Heritage Council, London, Ontario

Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame celebrates Canadian heroes whose work advances health in Canada and the world, and fosters future generations of health professionals through the delivery of local and national youth education programs and awards. This enduring tribute to our country’s rich medical history is showcased on our virtual hall at www.cdnmedhall.org and in an exhibit hall in London, ON.

The Palm 'N Turn Container (1997) by Henri J. Breault MDLondon Heritage Council, London, Ontario

Palm N' Turn Container

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In 1957, Dr. Henri Breault became Chief of Pediatrics and Director of a new Poison Control Centre at the Hotel Dieu Hospital in Windsor ON, where daily, he faced cases of children poisoned by medicines or other "hazardous products" found in the home, especially the aspirin bottles which could be easily opened. Thanks to his dedicated efforts, child-resistant containers for medicines would eventually become mandated by the government, saving many children from accidental poisoning. Dr. Breault was inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame in 1997.

The Drake Clip (1994) by Charles Drake MDLondon Heritage Council, London, Ontario

Up until the 1950’s most life-threatening brain aneurysms could not be operated on directly; an aneurysm on the basilar artery (high up on the neck, embedded with the brain stem) was a death sentence. Dr. Charles Drake perfected, documented and taught surgical techniques on the repair of ruptured brain aneurysms for which he gained world-wide fame. He developed the “Drake Clip” to seal unusual brain aneurysms (a weak spot in the wall of an artery) while preserving blood flow in a nearby blood vessel. Dr. Drake was inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame in 1994.

The Typewriter of Donald O. Hebb, PhD Typing "The Organization of Behaviour" (circa 1949) by Corona Typewriter CompanyLondon Heritage Council, London, Ontario

Dr. Donald O. Hebb maintained a deep interest in the relationship between mind and brain and sought to understand how the function of neurons contributed to psychological processes such as learning. He is best known for his theory of Hebbian learning which he wrote about in The Organization of Behaviour (written on this typewriter) and published in 1949. Described as the father of neuropsychology, his book had a profound influence on attitudes towards neuropsychology and psychology overall. Dr. Hebb was inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame in 2003.

Brenda Milner PhD, discovering multiple memory systems - Comic Pages (1997) by THE GREAT DEBROUILLARDS, SCIENTIFIC STORIES IN COMICS (copr. 2001 Soulières éd. Les Débrouillards).London Heritage Council, London, Ontario

Excerpt from the Scientific Stories in Comics featuring Dr. Brenda Milner building on the work of Drs. Hebb and Penfield.

Dr. Milner discovered and demonstrated that the human brain has multiple memory systems that govern different functions, such as motor skills or language.

Her pioneering work contributed to a greater understanding of how the brain works and she is considered to be one of greatest neuroscientists of the 20th century. Dr. Milner was inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame in 1997.

Terry Fox - Marathon of Hope (2012) by Cliff KearnsLondon Heritage Council, London, Ontario

One of 5,000 prints and 50 artist’s proofs dedicated to the Terry Fox “Marathon of Hope.”

“For a brief moment, he dissolved things that didn’t matter – you became aware that he mattered and what he mattered about counted – and you wanted to identify with it and him.” – Ron G. Calhoun, National Special Events Chairman, Canadian Cancer Society

“Ron Calhoun’s summation of the whole ‘Marathon of Hope’ happening exemplifies best why I was inspired to create this painting. By putting the morning sun and redwoods behind him, I wanted to suggest that Terry has already realized his goal. I sought to capture the struggle, symbolized by the light fighting its way through the dark branches, the determination, and the hope, and suggest by his efforts a more imminent breakthrough or victory.” – Cliff Kearns

Terry Fox was inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame in 2012.

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UWO Medical Artifact Collection

Originating with the Faculty of Medicine at Western in the late nineteenth century, the Medical Artifact Collection contains over 1000 artifacts, which represent the practice and teaching of health and medicine in southwestern Ontario from the late eighteenth to late twentieth centuries.

Toothkey (Early 1800s) by UnknownLondon Heritage Council, London, Ontario

Toothkey