Medical and Pharmaceutical Antiques: Artifact as Art

In early Spring of 2002, the late Dr. James T. Wheeler of Dallas presented the Preston Smith Library of the Health Sciences with an extraordinary collection of medical and pharmaceutical artifacts and antiques. The collection is valued at between $85,000 and $100,000. Dr. Wheeler was the first clinical hematologist to practice that subspecialty in Dallas.   He was naturally drawn to the collection of medical antiques that dealt with various aspects of the study of blood. His father, James M. Wheeler, was a pharmacist who spent part of his practice life in Abilene, Texas. He also collected antiques; but his collection reflected his interest in pharmacy practice.    

The combined collections date from the early 1600's to the early 1900's. They include a number of bleeding bowls from around the world. From the Middle Ages continuing on into the early Twentieth Century, bleeding was a common treatment for a variety of illnesses. In the early days, one went to a barber who was also a surgeon to be bled. The fictional character Don Quixote, the man of la Mancha, is frequently portrayed wearing a barber's bowl for a headdress. This collection includes several such metal bowls, as well as bleeding bowls made of the finest faience and china.  

 

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