Dr David Livingstone Humerus Cast
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Cast of the humerus of Dr David Livingstone
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This cast of the left humerus of David Livingstone (1813-1873) was presented to the College by the Livingstone Memorial Trust in 1973, on the centenary of Livingstone's death. The cast shows an old healed fracture which proved that remains transported from Ilala in Central Africa to London via Zanzibar were indeed those of Dr David Livingstone. To facilitate carriage through the jungle Livingstone's body was eviscerated, salted and baked in the sun. When the body arrived in London the facial features were unrecognisable but an examination of the left arm signalled the identity of its owner. Sir William Ferguson, a surgeon who had previously been consulted by Livingstone about the very same limb, carried out the examination which established the identity of the remains. The cast was made prior to internment in Westminster Abbey. Livingstone had sustained the compound fracture when he was mauled by a lion during his very first visit to Africa. The incident was recorded in his book Missionary Travels and Researches in South Africa (1857).
Related Items The College also holds a set of surgical instruments which belonged to David Livingstone, a Zulu shield from his travels, an oil painting and a photographic portrait, and two of Livingstone's letters.
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