Holmes & Laurie

In the 18th century many shopkeepers and tradesmen advertised their goods and services to the public through printed, illustrated trade cards. This trade card's design is similar to others of the mid 18th century. It includes a rococo frame containing the tradesmen's names and address and a short text describing their business and products.

This card was produced by Holmes and Laurie who made support equipment for patients with skeletal or muscular deformities. They advertise themselves as working for London's leading hospitals.

At the beginning of the 18th century London had four major hospitals including St Bartholomew's and St Thomas's listed here. By the end of the century over 16 more had been built including St George's, The Foundling and The Middlesex for whom Holmes and Laurie also worked.

During the 18th century doctors were beginning to learn more about the individual limbs and organs which made up the body. However, orthopaedic medicine (the branch of medicine dealing with the correction of deformities in bones and muscles) was still in its infancy and patients with fractures often had to have their limbs amputated.