A Bunyan-stannard Irrigation Envelope for the Treatment of Burns being applied by Sister Roberts in Middlesex Hospital 1943

Ethel Léontine Gabain captured Sister Roberts applying a Bunyan-Stannard Irrigation Envelope at Middlesex Hospital with oil on canvas. Notice the rhythmic repetition of the circular forms – the glass jars and the coiled tubes. These shapes echo the ancient symbolism of the circle as a representation of wholeness and healing, a visual mantra meant to reassure. The arrangement of the tubes and containers recalls images of interconnected vessels found in alchemical drawings. Historically, such vessels were associated with transformation and purification, mirroring the patient’s journey through treatment. This is particularly poignant given that many soldiers were treated for burns during the war. The image operates on a subconscious level, tapping into our collective memory of symbols associated with healing and renewal, offering a powerful emotional resonance. The cyclical progression of this symbol transcends the boundaries of time, resurfacing and evolving as new treatments emerge, and offering solace in an era of advanced medicine.