[The medico-historical collection of the Kar-Sudhoff-Institute for the history of medicine and science--a report on the situation].

The medico-historical collection of the Karl-Sudhoff-Institute for the history of medicine and science, at the university of Leipzig, is part of the oldest institute for the history of medicine in the world. Objects (originals and replicas) dates from about 2000 b.c. to the present. Medical instruments from the fields of surgery, ophthalmology, dentistry, gynecology and obstetrics, urology, as well as medals, seals of medical faculties and plaster clasts with medical subjects are included. New objects were (and are still) mainly incorporated through donations. Now all objects are catalogued and all information about one object are combined in a new data bank. At the same time is made a digital photo of each object, and a slide-collection is developed. Exhibitions on certain themes or subjects can show how medical approaches and instruments changed over time, wether brought about with continuity or abrupt changes. At present the collection does not own any premises to accomodate bigger exhibitions. The specimens are stored and are therefore generally not open to the public.