A Glimpse into the Past: A Victorian Child's Skull, Marked by Hydrocephalus
This haunting relic offers a poignant reminder of the fragility of life in the Victorian era. This child's skull bears the tragic mark of hydrocephalus, a condition where excessive cerebrospinal fluid accumulates within the brain, causing the skull to enlarge. The condition, often fatal, was a common affliction in the 19th century, particularly among the impoverished. The skull's enlarged size, thin bone structure, and widened suture lines are all telltale signs of this devastating disease. This artifact serves as a sobering testament to the medical challenges of the past and the resilience of the human spirit, even in the face of such adversity.