The Museum Collection

Halo-pelvic Traction

Tuberculosis of the spine and poliomyelitis resulting in severe spinal deformities were common in Hong Kong in the 1950s. Dr. Arthur Hodgson, then head of the Orthopaedic and Trauma Unit, University of Hong Kong and his team introduced the halo-pelvic apparatus for immobilization and correction of severe and rigid kyphosis or kyphoscoliosis in the 1970s. The “Halo”, a metal ring, was secured with four screws into the outer dipole of the skull while the pelvic ring was secured to the two halves of the pelvis by two threaded pins that traverse the whole length of the two halves of the pelvis. The patient also had to remain in bed during traction. With this device, controlled distraction was made while the patient was awake and ambulant. Because the distraction forces along the spinal cord are powerful, complications such as injuries to cranial nerves, compression of the spine and even “coning” of the medulla oblongata through the foramen magnum, could arise. With improvements in public health especially in infectious diseases control and school screening programmes for spinal abnormalities, severe deformities requiring traction or surgery are becoming rare.

Photography by SK Lau

Foot Binding Model

Foot binding (also known as "Lotus” or “Lily” feet) was the custom of applying painfully tight binding to the feet of young girls to prevent further growth. The practice possibly originated among upper-class court dancers during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period in Imperial China (10th or 11th century), but spread in the Song Dynasty and eventually became common among all but the lowest of classes, ethnic minorities and the fishing people of southern China. Foot binding was a symbol of sexual attractiveness and beauty and a prerequisite for contracting a suitable marriage. Although attempts were made to ban the practice over the centuries and was outlawed in 1912, the custom was difficult to eradicate. As shown in the model and the x-rays, foot binding led to marked distortion of the architecture of the bones in the feet resulting in lifelong disabilities which were aggravated by frequent infections. Few elderly Chinese women still survive today with bound feet.

Photography by SK Lau

Acupuncture Needles

In ancient times, acupuncture needles were made of stone, bamboo or bone, and usually bigger (see model) than the modern ones which are small and thin with thickness of a piece of human hair and made of stainless steel for flexibility and rust prevention. Acupuncture needles of varying length and size are available and they are sterilized, and pre-packaged usually for single use. There are also reusable ones that require sterilization between uses. The needles are applied to specific acupuncture points located along different meridians on the body to treat different diseases.

Photography by SK Lau

Chinese Pangolin (M. pentadactyla) Subfamily Maninae - Subgenus Manis

Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) is a nocturnal animal specialized in eating ants and termites with head-to-body length ranging from 50 to 90 cm. Made of agglutinated hair, the scales have razor-sharp edges for defense against predators. When threatened, the pangolin curls up into a ball and raises its scales. The pangolin is considered a culinary delicacy. Its scales, blood and flesh are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for curing cancer, reducing swelling, promoting blood circulation and stimulating lactation in breast-feeding women amongst other uses. Because of the high demand for above purposes, all eight species of pangolin face extinction and have been placed on the Red List of Threatened Species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Hong Kong was one of the first jurisdictions to protect the species by passing the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance in 1936, but the ordinance was difficult to enforce until protection laws were also adopted and enforced in neighboring countries. Illegal trafficking continues to be rampant in Asian and African countries even recently with an estimated 105,410-210,820 animals illegally traded from August 2011 to October 2013.

Photography by SK Lau