Reproduction
Object numberRCSHC/P 715
Scientific nameHomo sapiens
CollectionHunterian
CategoryDry preparations
Object nameSkull, syphilis, Morbid Anatomy of Bones - Syphilis, Mounted dry bone
DescriptionA skull showing numerous pits typical of venereal syphilis across the cranium.
These pits with a worm eaten appearance, named 'caries sicca', are the result of chronic venereal syphilis. The lesions are spread across the cranium, heavily affecting the frontal and both parietal bones, with some involvement of the superior occipital bone. In some areas the infection has also started to destroy the internal table, thereby perforating the entire thickness of the skull.
Production date 1760 - 1793
Preparator
Owner/user
presented
Physical Location
LocationOn display in the Hunterian Museum, Room 4: The Long Gallery
Physical Information
Physical descriptionDry preparation of bone mounted in a cuboid perspex container.
Materialperspex
Dimensions
whole height: 178 mm
whole width: 160 mm
whole depth: 213 mm
whole weight: 938 g
whole width: 160 mm
whole depth: 213 mm
whole weight: 938 g
Bibliography
SourceProger 1966-1972
Vol. 2, page 54.
TranscriptA skull, in the tabular portion of the frontal, and in the parietals of which there are a series of irregular, carious pits, attributable to syphilitic disease.
The ulcers have no definite form though the earliest appear as small circular apertures arising at the sites of vascular channels; by the local multiplication and coalescence of such, the larger lesions result. In many, the outer table is much undermined; and in a few spots the entire thickness of the calvaria is perforated. The surface of the frontal bone between the ulcers is slightly raised so as to be lowly tuberculated.
Of the bones of the face, portions of the nasal process of the right superior maxilla, and much of the palatine processes of the maxillae and palate bones, etc, have been destroyed by caries, combined probably with necrosis.
SourceTurk 1995
Pages 146-8.
NotesA description of the calvaria of the Hunterian collection with caries sicca.
SourceClift 1830 Part 2
NotesCatalogue number is 484.
TranscriptA skull, with the lower jaw; in which the palate, part of the nasal bones, and orbits are destroyed. All the teeth of the upper jaw have separated, and the alveolar processes have been removed: in the lower jaw two molares only remain, and these are retained merely by the curved points of their fangs; the alveolar processes having been almost entirely absorbed.
