No More Pickled Brains

There is something very awe-inspiring about looking at the body of someone who was once alive. First, the very core of the body is explored, showing us the mesh-like fibres of bones. Then we can see muscles, tendons and cartilage, and the tour of the body continues with an exploration of the nervous and circulatory systems.

Next is a display of how all the organs fit together in the body, almost like a magic show, that everything is so perfectly arranged. Do you know where the liver is in relation to the kidneys?

The most morbidly fascinating part of this section is the lungs – the contrast of the pink organs with the near black of the lungs of a smoker. It was a sharp wake-up call to all smokers visiting the show. There is even a clear box next to the display where people could leave their cigarettes and habits behind.

There are over 200 organs on display and numerous full body specimens. There are guides with some medical knowledge available to talk you through any part of the show in greater detail. In the last exhibition hall, visitors are even offered a real brain, kidney and liver to hold.

The technique used to preserve the bodies is a far cry from the old method of pickling brains! The bodies, which all died from natural causes, come from a medical university in China that specializes in the preservation method called “plastination.” The specimen is immersed in acetone, to eliminate all body water, and is then placed in a large bath of silicone and sealed in a vacuum chamber, releasing the acetone as gas and allowing the silicone to replace it in each cell and tissue. A catalyst is then applied to the specimen, hardening it and completing the process. The bodies cannot decay.

It’s not often that education can so explicitly merge with art and be so relevant to every person who views its treasures. It is an opportunity not to be missed. After all, it’s not every day you come face to face with yourself.