Royal London Hospital

Royal London Hospital Review

Founded in 1740, the Royal London was in its early days as nasty as its former neighborhood near the Tower of London. Waste was carried out and dumped in the street, bedbugs and alcoholic nurses were rife, and, according to hsopital records, patients didn't die—they were "relieved." In 1757 the hospital moved to its present site and was soon one of the most up-to-date hospitals in London. Care was enchanced further by the addition of a small medical school in 1785 and again by an entire state-of-the-art medical college in 1855. The Royal London grew to become the largest general hospital in the U.K.—and it still is. A new hospital has opened alongside the existing one, which is undergoing a complete overaul. To get an idea of the huge medical leaps made over the past centuries, walk through the new building to the Royal London Hospital museum in the crypt of St. Augustine located within the Victorian St. Philip's Church. Alternatively, you can enter the church directly from Newark Street.

Royal London Hospital Museum. Located in the crypt of Victorian church, the Royal London Hospital Museum uses exhibits of historic medical equipment, surgical instruments, and archives to document the history of this East London institution from its foundation in 1740 to the present day. Highlights include a forensic medicine section with original material on the Jack the Ripper murders and the RLH surgeon who helped investigate them, artifacts and documents relating to Joseph Merrick—better known as "The Elephant Man"—who spent his final years in the hospital, and a set of dentures worn by George Washington. Opening hours are subject to change on short notice, so call before you go. Newark St., E1 2AA. www.bartsandthelondon.nhs.uk/museums. Tues.-Fri. 10-4:30.