Health & Medicine - Overview
The Museum's collections of medical science artifacts represent nearly all aspects of health and medical practice. Highlights include early X-ray apparatuses, such as one of Wilhelm Roentgen's tubes, penicillin mold from Alexander Fleming’s experiments, and Jonas Salk's original polio vaccine. More recent acquisitions include the first artificial heart implanted in a human, the earliest genetically engineered drugs, and materials related to David, the "Bubble Boy." Other artifacts range from artificial limbs and implant devices to bloodletting and dental instruments, beauty products, and veterinary equipment. The contents of a medieval apothecary shop and an 1890s drugstore form part of the collections, along with patent and alternative medicines. The collections also document the many differing perspectives on health and medical issues, from patients, family members, doctors, nurses, medical students, and out-of-the-mainstream health practitioners.
"Health & Medicine - Overview" showing 643 items.
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Newbro's Herpicide
- Description
- Newbro’s Herpicide was developed at the end of the 19th century by Dupont M. Newbro, owner of Newbro Drug Company, a wholesale drug business in Butte, Mont. Mr. Newbro promoted the theory that a bacteria or parasite was the cause of dandruff, which then led to baldness. He claimed to have worked with a bacteriologist to create a formula that would kill the "dandruff germ." Hence the name Herpicide: Herpes (from the Latin "to creep") and cide ("to kill"). Newbro trademarked the word in 1899. By 1902 he sold his Montana drug business to focus on his new product and company, the Herpicide Company, established in Detroit, Mich. The formula proved very successful, and Newbro’s Herpicide was sold nationwide and in Europe through the 1930s.
- The Herpicide advertising slogan, accompanied by drawings of a man’s balding head, was "Going (Herpicide will save it)...going (Herpicide will save it)...gone! (Too late for Herpicide)." The phrase "Too late for Herpicide" became a popular catch phrase of the 1920s and remained popular into the 1950s, long after Newbro’s Herpicide was being sold.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1933-1940
- maker
- Herpicide Company
- ID Number
- 1984.0782.133
- accession number
- 1984.0782
- catalog number
- 1984.0782.133
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Dr. Kilmer's Female Remedy
- Description
- "Specially adapted to female constitutions," this was the first product made by Dr. Kilmer & Co., an enterprise founded in the 1870s by a successful medical practioner from Binghamton, New York. Its label proclaims the medicine as "The Great Blood Purifier and System Regulator. The Only Herbal Alterative and Deuprative Ever Discovered."
- Kilmer's company was one of the first firms to advertise nationally, and examples of its 18 herbal remedies, including the popular "Swamp Root and Kidney Cure," could be found in homes across the country. Due to their questionable ingredients and extravagant therapeutic claims, proprietary medicines such as Dr. Kilmer's became targeted by the National Food and Drug Act of 1906.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- maker
- Dr. Kilmer and Company
- ID Number
- 2000.0137.088
- accession number
- 2000.0137
- catalog number
- 2000.0137.088
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Dollard's Herbanium Extract
- Description
- Dollard’s Herbanium Extract was produced by Dollard and Company of Philadelphia, Pa. The product label claims that the company had been in business since 1838. Early advertisements for the Herbanium Extract date back to at least the mid 1840s. R. Dollard appears to have been a Philadelphia wigmaker.
- This bottle probably dates to the 1920s. Dollard and Company are referred to on the box as "Specialists in Hair and Complexion," reflecting a change from earlier packaging which bore the tagline, "Hairdressers and Wigmakers."
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- after 1906
- maker
- Dollard and Company
- ID Number
- MG*254865.25
- catalog number
- M-10716
- accession number
- 254865
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Dollard's Herbaniium Extract
- Description
- Dollard’s Herbanium Extract was produced by Dollard and Company of Philadelphia, Pa. The product label claims that the company had been in business since 1838. Early advertisements for the Herbanium Extract date back to at least the mid-1840s. R. Dollard appears to have been a Philadelphia wigmaker.
- This bottle probably dates around 1920. The alcohol content is listed to comply with the 1906 Food and Drugs Act. Claims that the product is a valuable remedy for headache, which were present on early packaging, have been omitted from the label.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- after 1906
- maker
- Dollard and Company
- ID Number
- MG*254865.26
- catalog number
- M-10716
- accession number
- 254865
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Arnold's Balsam
- Description
- [No indications or uses for this product are provided on its packaging.]
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 19th Century
- after 1840
- maker
- Dr. S. Arnold
- ID Number
- MG*293320.1165
- catalog number
- 293320.1165
- accession number
- 293320
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Bon-Opto
- Description
- The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
- Healing, soothing, cooling, non-irritating and cleansing for the eyes
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- ca 1920
- maker
- Valma's Drug Company
- ID Number
- MG*293320.1185
- catalog number
- 293320.1185
- accession number
- 293320
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Mulford Violets
- Description
- The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
- Sweetens the breath
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- after 1906
- maker
- H. K. Mulford Company
- ID Number
- MG*293320.1251
- accession number
- 293320
- catalog number
- 293320.1251
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Helps
- Description
- The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
- For minor throat irritations
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- after 1934
- maker
- National Licorice Company
- ID Number
- MG*293320.1306
- catalog number
- 293320.1306
- accession number
- 293320
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Reliable Brand Tr. Arnica U.S.P.
- Description
- The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Use locally to parts affected.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- ca 1920
- maker
- McCormick and Company
- ID Number
- 1979.0798.006
- accession number
- 1979.0798
- catalog number
- 1979.0798.06
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Emerson's Bromo-Seltzer
- Description
- The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A speedy and reliable remedy for nervous headache, neuralgia, brain fatigue, sleeplessness, over-drain work, depression, following alcoholic and other overuses, mental exhaustion, etc.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- ca 1905
- maker
- Emerson Drug Company
- ID Number
- 1979.0798.012
- accession number
- 1979.0798
- catalog number
- 1979.0798.012
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center