Improbable research ... the bishop's rectum

The Hunterian Museum in London displays the rectum of Thomas Thurlow, an unfortunate bishop who died of a tumour in 1791
A marble sculpture of John Hunter, whose museum now houses a bishop's rectum in a glass jar
A marble sculpture of John Hunter, whose museum now houses a bishop's rectum in a glass jar. Photograph: Sarah Lee


Visitors can casually admire the object's beauty. Scholars and poets can find unexpected delights in studying and writing up the bishop's rectum. This apparently humble body part can boast a historic connection to John Hunter, the surgeon whose collection of medical memorabilia eventually grew to become the Hunterian Museum.

The museum officially gives a simple description of Object RCSHC/P 192:


Hunter wrote extensive notes about how he entered the case, examined the rectum (which at the time was, of course, still an integral part of the bishop), and immediately recognised, by feel, that it had an incurable tumour.

The notes also tell how events played out. The bishop, disbelieving Hunter's diagnosis, then tried to cure himself with a nostrum called Ward's White Drops. He was choosing to rely on past experience with a lesser ailment, rather than accept Hunter's professional assessment. Hunter notes that "his Lordship had, about 10 years ago, the piles, for which he took Ward's Paste, and was cured".

The White Drops did not cure the bishop's cancer. Instead, his discomfort increased. Hunter writes that the family then called in "Taylor the cattle-doctor to attend him, and I was asked to examine this doctor, to see whether it was likely he should do mischief or not".

He concluded that Dr Taylor would do no mischief. Taylor deferred happily to the renowned physician's opinions and, with his approval, gave the bishop opium and ointments, to ease the distress.

Ten months later the Bishop breathed his last. Hunter performed an autopsy, savouring the opportunity to write a detailed technical assessment of it and its role in killing a patient who doubted the doctor's diagnosis.

The copious details are a bit grizzly for a general audience. Hunter's notes were intended for himself or for others of his profession, should he or they encounter a similar rectum or a similar patient. Now, more than 300 years later, the story, and a good view of the rectum, are available to anyone who seeks enlightenment.

(Thanks to Steve Farrar for bringing this to my attention.)
