Runwell Resarch laboratory (Runwell Hospital)
2004
These are the research laboratory's of
Runwell Hospital in Essex The Labs were built to conduct research into the
diseases of the brain, at a time when there was little information about
the causes of this type of disease.
During the 1950's these bleak looking
buildings were home Britain's first organized collection of Brain samples
the research at Runwell was conducted under a neuropathologist called Dr Corsellis.
Dr Corsellis collected the first
samples of what was to later to become the one of the largest collections
of brain specimens ever established. Samples were categorized in banks by
type and the medical records of each patient were collected for study and
comparison. The
collection was to become the life's work of Dr
Corsellis who continued his research until his death in 1994. In 1997 the
labs at Runwell were closed and the collection was transferred to a
hospital in west London.
Many of the early samples were taken
without the consent of relatives as permission to collect samples was not
a requirement until the 1960's. Samples were taken from a wide range of
sources Including children. Despite the controversy of this type of research
pioneering work was conducted at Runwell which
formed the foundation for many modern research projects.
A disturbing amount of material has
been left behind: Repots, Notes, Equipment and even samples still remain It felt like the research team went home one day and
never simply never returned.
This tour was edited at the request of South Essex NHS services.
This clinical laboratory sits trapped in
time, there are scientific Instruments, bottles and logs. Shelves are filled
with books on disease and the physiology of the brain.
This is one of the places where
researchers would run tests on their samples, dissect samples, apply
preservatives and record their data.
Back To Menu
