Carlos Cortes
President of the Portuguese Medical Association
When we parked the car in the parking lot of the Dr. Hermes House-Museum, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of curiosity bubbling up inside me. The idea of visiting a place that houses a unique collection on the history of medicine, created by Dr. Hermes Castanhas, was exciting.
As we walked towards the entrance, I was amazed at the beauty and simplicity of the building and the space around it. The exterior image was a mixture of modern and traditional architecture, of unpretentiousness and fullness, which made me think of the treasures that were hidden inside and that were about to be revealed to us. We were shown an impressive array of medical books and instruments, some of which were decades and centuries old. The guides on this guided tour told us interesting stories and curiosities about the origins of these instruments and their use in the medical profession over time.
As we walked through the various rooms, floors and exhibits, I felt a deep admiration for the dedication and passion that Dr. Hermes Castanhas had to have to build such an extensive and precious collection with fascinating specimens and
surprising, unprecedented in relation to anything I had seen before.
As we left the museum, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for the opportunity to witness such a unique collection and for the efforts made by the curatorial team.
The technical-scientific revolution was the driving force behind the remarkable progress we have seen in various fields. It caused a significant change in the way things are done and made it possible to achieve feats that were previously considered impossible. With the advent of new technologies, we are witnessing a shift from the realm of imagination to the realm of reality. What once seemed like a product of our imagination is now part of our daily lives, and all thanks to the efforts of scientists and professionals who dared to explore new horizons.
One area in which the impact of the technical-scientific revolution has been particularly profound is medicine. The emergence of new medical technologies and techniques has revolutionized the way we approach healthcare. From birth to death, there are countless medical specialties that have discovered, stored, studied and valued objects of use that have become an integral part of modern medical practice.
These objects are no longer just tools used by healthcare professionals, they are now a window into the past and a testament to the progress we have made. The importance of these objects alone should not be overstated. They are not just artifacts, they are symbols of human ingenuity and perseverance. They are the materialization of human genius.
When we see these objects on display in a private museum, we get a glimpse into the history of medicine and the progress that has been made over the years. They offer us a new perspective on the path we have already taken and what we can still achieve. These objects give us a sense of awe and wonder, not only because of their historical value, but also because of their relevance in the world of yesterday and today.
The museum, as explained to us, will develop a basic aspect with the Educational Service. Now, the dissemination of knowledge for the construction of new audiences and ‘new curiosities’ for Science and Scientific Culture will also be
of enormous relevance and a basic condition for the pieces to gain new and other lives. With the ongoing exhibition project, whose scientific relevance and interdisciplinary approach are under development, we will be able to have new reflections on the History, preservation and appreciation of the heritage associated with Medicine.
In the dimension presented by the Casa Hermes Foundation, it is about ensuring that this treasure can integrate the country’s creative economy, which, in fact, is already a distinctive mark of Aveiro. By seeking to associate itself with the Portuguese Capital of Culture, a title that Aveiro will hold in 2024, the new Museum of Medicine and Health will develop a territorial marketing aspect that the title confers on this region.
The current project presented to us by the mentors of the Casa Hermes Foundation, in Aveiro, aims to safeguard the integrity of the collection, promote the culture of medical sciences and, on this basis, also emphasize various training and social intervention initiatives. Thus, it will be possible to continue looking at and studying the past, helping us to understand that a doctor has multiple facets of continuous and ongoing social, civic, scientific and historical intervention. Caring for and helping others, with what each era gives us in technical and scientific development. This is, in fact, the humanist matrix of the Medical Being that is materialized here.
The Medical Association therefore highlights the merit of the challenge initiated by Dr. Hermes de Oliveira Castanhas who, with his collection and astute spirit as a collector since the time he studied Medicine in Cuiabá, offers us a unique memory of the practice of Medicine by our ancestors.
I would also like to thank Dr. Hermes’ family, on behalf of the Order of Physicians and the entire society to which we dedicate ourselves, for their commitment to all this work of systematizing the collection of nearly 1,800 pieces from 20 medical specialties and revisiting our past and its context.
It is an honor to preface this catalog that takes us to the near future and to a place where History, Science and Technology merge with constructed and shared Knowledge. History and its treasures can be food for utopia. I hope this museum will provide many sunny days and new challenges.
