Tale of x-ray doctor who lost his hands to be told at Dundee University

The tale of a pioneering Dundee doctor whose hands were amputated after repeated exposure to x-rays is about to be told in an exhibition.

Dr George Pirie experimented on himself at Dundee Royal Infirmary and a bottle of mustard oil he rubbed on his hands to try to soothe the pain is among the exhibits from the Tayside Medical History Museum to go on display at Dundee University.

The museum is based at Ninewells Hospital, but is presently closed for refurbishment.

Curator Matthew Jarron said: “We intend to create a new version of the museum outside the main lecture theatre at Ninewells.

“We have just started fundraising for this but in the meantime we are keen to get some of this fascinating material out on show.”

The exhibition also features items from the cancer research centre founded in Dundee in 1906 and lab equipment used by Dr James Riley, who revolutionised understanding of allergies and inflammation.