Health & Medicine

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.

William David Coolidge (1873-1975), an American physicist working for General Electric, introduced a new hot cathode x-ray tube in 1913, with articles sent to scientific publications, and demonstrations given to physicians and radiologists, many of whom saw the advantages for dia
Description
William David Coolidge (1873-1975), an American physicist working for General Electric, introduced a new hot cathode x-ray tube in 1913, with articles sent to scientific publications, and demonstrations given to physicians and radiologists, many of whom saw the advantages for diagnostic purposes and cancer treatments. This early Coolidge tube was used at the University of Maryland.
Ref: William David Coolidge, “A Powerful Roentgen Ray Tube with a Pure Electron Discharge,” Physical Review 2nd Ser. 2 (1914): 409-430.
General Electric Company, Coolidge X-Ray Tube (Schenectady, N.Y., 1920).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
maker
General Electric Company
ID Number
MG.M-08013
catalog number
M-08013
accession number
223481
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Noxzema Chemical Company
ID Number
1979.0798.213
catalog number
1979.0798.213
accession number
1979.0798
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1950s
maker
Maybelline Cosmetics
ID Number
2008.0018.268
accession number
2008.0018
catalog number
2008.0018.268
Gold colored tin with dark green and medium green printing. Tin is flask-shaped and has a twist-open shaker top. Stylized mosquitoes are depicted on the sides of the tin. Directions specify: "To keep Mosquitoes away, apply freely to all exposed parts of the body.
Description
Gold colored tin with dark green and medium green printing. Tin is flask-shaped and has a twist-open shaker top. Stylized mosquitoes are depicted on the sides of the tin. Directions specify: "To keep Mosquitoes away, apply freely to all exposed parts of the body. Repeat when necessary or as the odor of the Anti Skeeter Talc lessens. REVISION 1926 / NET CONTENTS 3 1/4 oz."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1926 - 1930
maker
Pfeiffer Chemical Company
ID Number
2019.0244.01
catalog number
2019.0244.01
accession number
2019.0244
Brown and gold-colored tin with hinged lid and decorative motif on sides and borders. Tin is empty. Original contents: one grain capsules of Glycogen. Probably imported from France by E.
Description
Brown and gold-colored tin with hinged lid and decorative motif on sides and borders. Tin is empty. Original contents: one grain capsules of Glycogen. Probably imported from France by E. Fougera and Company of New York.
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: In tuberculosis, typhoid fever, scarlatina, furunculosis [infection of the hair follicle], diphtheria, influenza, in neurasthenic conditions, weak heart, migraine, morphinism, tobaccoism, etc.
Antitoxic and distinctly bactericidal, stimulating the natural resistance of the organism to pathogenic invasions.
In the early 1900s, French doctor, Jacques de Nittis, introduced the therapeutic use of glycogen, a naturally occuring substance which stores carbohydrates in the body. The substance was thought to help increase the production of white blood cells and thus help the body fight off infection. It was also employed in wasting conditions such as those brought on by cancer, tuberculosis, and diabetes, to help rebuild strenghth and weight.
SEE: de Nittis, Jacques, "Glycogen, A Therapeutic Aid (Translated from the Tribune Medicale, April 2, 1904.)" in Southern Medicine, Volume 11, No. 3, September, 1904, pp 11-12.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1905
maker
E. Fougera and Company
ID Number
2019.0068.01
catalog number
2019.0068.01
accession number
2019.0068
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1956
maker
Eng Aun Tong Tiger Medical Hall Rangoon
ID Number
MG.M-06892.07
catalog number
M-06892.07
accession number
210760
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1956
maker
Eng Aun Tong Tiger Medical Hall Rangoon
ID Number
MG.M-06892.11
catalog number
M-06892.11
accession number
210760
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1955-1960
maker
Cot-N-Chips Company
ID Number
1985.0481.036
catalog number
1985.0481.36
accession number
1985.0481
1985.0481
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:for the relief of simple itching of the skin due to non-poisonous Insect Bites and Chafing. Also for the relief of itching of the scalp and for the removal of the scales of dandruff. ..
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
for the relief of simple itching of the skin due to non-poisonous Insect Bites and Chafing. Also for the relief of itching of the scalp and for the removal of the scales of dandruff. .. will temporarily relive the itching caused by external piles.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1929
maker
Larned Corp.
ID Number
1985.0475.540
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.540
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
distributor
Plough, Inc.
maker
Plough
ID Number
1985.0475.474
catalog number
1985.0475.474
accession number
1985.0475
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2008.0018.284
accession number
2008.0018
catalog number
2008.0018.284
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920s
maker
Pompeian Company
ID Number
2008.0018.278
catalog number
2008.0018.278
accession number
2008.0018
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1910 - 1930s
maker
Vapo-Cresolene Company
ID Number
2008.0018.302
catalog number
2008.0018.302
accession number
2008.0018
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:a quality cleansing and massage cream for the face and neck.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
a quality cleansing and massage cream for the face and neck.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1914 - 1920s
maker
De Pree Company
ID Number
2008.0018.174
catalog number
2008.0018.174
accession number
2008.0018
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Healing, soothing, cooling, non-irritating and cleansing for the eyesCurrently not on view
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
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Kiehl's Inc.
ID Number
1981.0589.033
accession number
1981.0589
catalog number
1981.0589.033
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1956
maker
Eng Aun Tong Tiger Medical Hall Rangoon
ID Number
MG.M-06892.05
catalog number
M-06892.05
accession number
210760
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Is an antiseptic, soothing and healing treatment for every form of itching skin diesease, eczema, salt rheum, itching, bleeding and protruding piles, pimples, black-heads, old sores, poisoned skin, hives
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Is an antiseptic, soothing and healing treatment for every form of itching skin diesease, eczema, salt rheum, itching, bleeding and protruding piles, pimples, black-heads, old sores, poisoned skin, hives, insect bites, inflamed eyelids, itch, barber's itch, sore feet and toes, chilblains and frostbites.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1923-1943
maker
Dr. A. W. Chase Medicine Company
ID Number
2008.0018.125
accession number
2008.0018
catalog number
2008.0018.125
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:To make hypertrophic scars appear less visibleCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
To make hypertrophic scars appear less visible
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 2002
maker
Beiersdorf, Inc.
ID Number
2002.0098.11
catalog number
2002.0098.11
accession number
2002.0098
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1956
maker
Eng Aun Tong Tiger Medical Hall Rangoon
ID Number
MG.M-06892.04
catalog number
M-06892.04
accession number
210760
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1985.0481.341
catalog number
1985.0481.341
accession number
1985.0481
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Cures all blood and skin humors from infancy to age. Cures because it contains the health renewing active principles of the twelve human saltsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Cures all blood and skin humors from infancy to age. Cures because it contains the health renewing active principles of the twelve human salts
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2008.0018.281
accession number
2008.0018
catalog number
2008.0018.281
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Mennen Company
ID Number
2012.0165.790
catalog number
2012.0165.790
accession number
2012.0165
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
E.W. Rose Co.
ID Number
MG.M-10446.02
catalog number
M-10446
accession number
251551

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