The origins of modern medicine in ‘Patient and doctor: From narration to objectivity’

Sant Pau Recinte Modernista is not only one of the most spectacular buildings from its era which is still standing; it actually served as a hospital until quite recently. Many Barcelonans have been in its rooms and hallways, both patients and medical staff. They wanted to share some of this knowledge accumulated over such a long period in the exhibition entitled ‘Patient and doctor: From narration to objectivity’. This museographic installation examines the innovations, mechanisms and scientific procedures which originated in the 1920s and 1930s, giving rise to an evolution in the way hospital care was approached. The exhibition, which is being held in the Sant Rafael Pavilion, offers a tour through photographs, devices and mechanisms that made it possible for doctors to make their diagnoses using objective information, beyond their patients’ explanations. Around 50 pieces bring us back to the era when the professionals at the former Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau spread practices such as detecting internal injuries, preventing infections in the operating room and eliminating pain in operations, as well as the analysis of fluids and tissues.

You can visit this show starting early May and throughout the rest of the year. Again, it will be in the Sant Rafael Pavilion of the Sant Pau Recinte Modernista and will have three sections devoted to different spaces: the hospital room, the operating room and the laboratory.

You can see the exhibition with a general ticket into the building, which costs 14 euros. You can purchase yours on the Sant Pau website.