Dong-Eun Medical Museum

DID YOU notice that there is a medical museum located in the main building of the College of Medicine? Here, you can see at a glance Korea's advances in medicine from the time of the ancients to the present day. Founded in 1976, Dong-Eun Medical Museum exhibits nearly 300 pieces of medical relics collected from both the medical schools and the hospitals. Illuminating the process of how Western medicine set root in Korea, the museum takes you back to the critical moments of Korea's medical history.

 

Interview with Park Jun-hyoung (Curator, Dong-Eun Medical Museum)

   Where does the museum's name Dong-Eun come from?
   Dong-Eun is the pen name of Kim Choong-sik, who donated a large amount of money, estimated to be worth ₩100 million, to the College of Medicine in 1948. Since his contribution played a crucial role in establishing the museum, it was named after him.
   What is so special about this museum compared to other medical museums in Korea?
   Western medicine was first introduced to Chosun in 1885 through Chejoongwon, the predecessor of Severance Hospital, which was Korea's first modern hospital. That Yonsei University is the birthplace of Western medicine makes it possible for the museum to possess many relics and artifacts related to the early history of Western medicine in Korea.

 

Major Artifacts

Dr. Allen's Diagnosis (Registered Cultural Heritage* No.445)


   This diagnosis, written on Sept.13, 1885, is the oldest example of a western-style prescription in Korea. Dr. Allen, the first director of Chejoongwon, issued thisprescription to C.A. Wesh, a staff working at Inchon maritime customs. According to the prescription, the patient was advised to take two weeks off for recuperation.

 Dr. Allen's Ophthalmoscope (Registered Cultural Heritage No.446)


   An ophthalmoscope is a device used to examine the internal structure of the eye. Dr. Allen's ophthalmoscope is a model manufactured in New York in the 1870s, and was donated to Yonsei University by his family after his death.

 Original Slide Film of Avison's Surgery (Registered Cultural Heritage No.448)


   This is an original film of a photograph of O.R. Avison, the fourth director of Chejoongwon who played a great role in introducing Western medicine to Korea. The photograph features him performing surgery with his assistants, which gives a glimpse of what the operating room was like back then.

 

Information

•Location: 4th floor, main building of the College of Medicine
•Opening hours: Tuesday, Thursday 10:00 - 16:30
(If you make a reservation in advance, it is possible to access the museum outside of the regular opening hours.)
•Admission Fee: Free
Call 02) 2228-2550 for more information.

*Registered Cultural Heritage refers to valuable artifacts from the late 19th century till after the Korean War, designated by the Cultural Heritage Administration for preservation.

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