Hong Kong Museum of Medical Sciences
Encyclopedia
Edwardian architecture
Edwardian architecture is the style popular when King Edward VII of the United Kingdom was in power; he reigned from 1901 to 1910, but the architecture style is generally considered to be indicative of the years 1901 to 1914....
building, at 2 Caine Lane at the Mid-levels
Mid-levels
Mid-levels is an expensive residential area on Hong Kong Island in Hong Kong. It is located halfway up Victoria Peak, directly above Central...
, Hong Kong Island
Hong Kong Island
Hong Kong Island is an island in the southern part of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It has a population of 1,289,500 and its population density is 16,390/km², as of 2008...
, Hong Kong. It is also referred as Old Pathological Institute.
The aim of museum is to promote the collection and preservation of materials of historical interest relating to the development of the medical industry in Hong Kong. On occasion, some exhibitions are held by the museum, in order to present basic and advance medical information and news. One of its major goals to help to raise the interests of the public about the medical history of Hong Kong and teach them more about health
Health
Health is the level of functional or metabolic efficiency of a living being. In humans, it is the general condition of a person's mind, body and spirit, usually meaning to be free from illness, injury or pain...
and disease
Disease
A disease is an abnormal condition affecting the body of an organism. It is often construed to be a medical condition associated with specific symptoms and signs. It may be caused by external factors, such as infectious disease, or it may be caused by internal dysfunctions, such as autoimmune...
s.
History
The building of the Hong Kong Museum of Medical Sciences was established in 1906. It was previously called Bacteriological Institute. Later, it was called Pathological Institute after World War II.
Being the first laboratory of bacteriology
Bacteriology
Bacteriology is the study of bacteria. This subdivision of microbiology involves the identification, classification, and characterization of bacterial species...
in Hong Kong, it was constructed of red bricks and consisted of three blocks. The main block is a two-storey building with a basement. The second one was used as a dormitory and the third for keeping animals. In 1972, the institute was relocated to Victoria Road and building was then used as a storeroom for Pathology Service for the Health Department.
In 1995, it was handed over to the Hong Kong Museum of Medical Sciences Society and converted to a museum for the public. The museum is still located at the same place, 2 Caine Lane at Mid-levels.
Features
It is a three-tier building occupying 10,000 square feet (930 m²) and it consists of 11 exhibition galleries including a gallery for Tai Ping Shan View, a game room, a library and the Gordon King Lecture Theatre.The galleries include:
- Lui Hac Minh Gallery
- Hong Kong Tuberculosis, Chest and Heart Diseases Association Gallery
- Hong Kong College of Radiologists
Goal
The aim of the museum is to exhibit and educate the public about Hong Kong's medical history as well as to preserve historical medical materials relating to the local development of medicine. Occasionally, special activities are held by the museum to inform the public about medical information and news. Publications and leaflets are also distributed to the public occasionally so as to help arouse the interest of the public in the medical history of Hong Kong and increase their knowledge and understanding of health and diseases. This museum is special and meaningful since it is the first of its kind among all the medical museums in the world.The museum closes on Mondays but is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Tuesday to Saturday. On Sundays and public holidays, it starts at 1:00p.m. and closes at 5:00p.m. The admission fee is HK$10.00 for adults and $5 for the disabled people, full-time students and the elderly aged 60 or above.