Collection
Collection
The University of Zurich’s Medical Collection is one of the most significant in Europe. More than 30’000 objects are currently being inventoried and prepared for scientific research. The collection focuses on medical instruments and equipment for diagnosis and therapy.
The Zurich collection’s high coverage of the 19th century and exemplary pieces from the 17th and 18th centuries set it apart from other similar collections. The surgical, obstetrical, ophthalmological and orthopaedic subcollections are especially extensive. Further highlights include instruments and equipment used for research and surgery by important doctors of the University of Zurich and the surrounding region, as well as devices and remedies used in alternative medicine.
Additions to the collection
Apart from selectively complementing our instrument ranges we wish to collect objects that throw light on medicinal practices beyond technology. We are especially interested in objects that represent people and their destinies, medical organizations and institutions, as well as the interactions between medical care and the social and political environment.
If you own objects with which you wish to complete our collection, please contact us medicalcollection@iem.uzh.ch
Loans Switzerland and abroad
Since 2016, the Medical Collection has loaned objects to over 60 institutions and events in Switzerland and abroad, including over 20 in the city and canton of Zurich (in some cases multiple loans):
Kunsthaus Zürich, Careum, Museum Strauhof, Kulturama, Schweizerisches Nationalmuseum/Landesmuseum, Ortsmuseum Zollikon, Moulagenmuseum UZH, Herbarium UZH, Appisberg (Männedorf), PluSport Cybathlon ZH, Vögele Kulturzentrum, Universitätsspital Zürich, Haus Appenzell ZH, Schloss Kyburg, Museum für Gestaltung, Institut für Erziehungswissenschaft UZH, Siemens Schweiz ZH, Schweizerisches Epilepsiezentrum ZH, Psychiatrische Klinik USZ, Klinische Chemie USZ
During the same period, the Medical Collection loaned objects to institutions abroad on several occasions, including Berlin, Vienna, Dresden and Ingolstadt.
Teaching at UZH
Since 2021, the module ‘Learning for today's medicine with specimens and objects from the past’ (here) has been offered as part of the medical degree programme, and from 2025 in the spring and autumn semesters. In addition, various Master's theses in human medicine on collection-related topics are supervised.
Collection concept
The concept of the collection (German language) is now accessible here.
