by the early years of the 19th century, the incorporation had received a royal charter to become the royal college of surgeons of edinburgh. the college saw its primary role as the teaching of anatomy and surgery, the training of surgeons, and examination of their acquired knowledge. anatomy and pathology specimens were crucial to that function. the museum expanded dramatically with the acquisition of two large collections. john barclay, a successful anatomy demonstrator in the extramural school of medicine donated his collection, while sir charles bell, professor of surgery in the university of london and latterly in the university of edinburgh sold his collection to the museum. these collections were much too large to be housed in the original 1697 surgeons' hall, and so the surgeons commissioned the leading edinburgh architect william playfair to build the present day surgeons hall, which opened in 1832. at first the entire upper floor of the building was devoted to the museum collections, which were open to the public and attracted large visitor numbers. throughout the 19th and early 20th century the collection expanded as it became customary for surgeons and pathologists to donate not only specimens which they regarded as interesting or instructive, but surgical instruments and equipment. with the great scientific and technical advances of the time, the museum began to acquire anaesthetic equipment, histology slides, x-rays and photographs.