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.

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-08-28
maker
Hassam, Childe
ID Number
GA.17501
catalog number
17501
accession number
157173
Andreas Vesalius (1514–1564), an early European physician and professor of medicine, wrote an important treatise on the human body, published in 1543.
Description
Andreas Vesalius (1514–1564), an early European physician and professor of medicine, wrote an important treatise on the human body, published in 1543. He provided detailed illustrations that demonstrated muscle structure and other features of human anatomy, based on his work dissecting cadavers. Vesalius's work revolutionized the teaching of anatomy and remained influential for generations.
In Vesalius's time, dissection was discouraged by religious and cultural forces that misunderstood its potential contributions to science. Edouard Hamman's 1849 painting, reproduced as a lithograph by Adolphe Mouilleron in the early 1850s, suggests Vesalius's conscientious struggle with religion as he pursed his anatomical studies through dissection. He stands beside a cadaver laid out on the table, and his dissecting tools are at hand. He is pictured as if paused in thought, looking at a crucifix on the wall to his right. A skull and several large books suggest his research materials.
Lithography offered artists a medium for literally drawing on stone that was used for high-quality reproductive prints in 19th-century France. Mouilleron, an accomplished lithographer, was not only a superb draftsman, but it was said that in his hand the lithographic crayon took on the characteristics of color as used by painters. His larger prints, like this portrait of Vesalius, have rich tonal variations that convey the color values of the original painting in shades of black and white. Many American artists like Philadelphian Stephen J. Ferris (1835–1915), whose family donated this print to the Smithsonian, avidly collected and studied French prints of all periods.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1850
subject
Vesalius, Andreas
graphic artist
Mouilleron, Adolphe
original artist
Hamman, Edouard Jean Conrad
publisher
Bertauts
ID Number
GA.15366
catalog number
15366
accession number
94830
Satirical print of medical remedies ranging from enemas, to potions, to reliance on St. James, the apostle who travelled to Iberia and is identified by his cockle shells.
Description
Satirical print of medical remedies ranging from enemas, to potions, to reliance on St. James, the apostle who travelled to Iberia and is identified by his cockle shells. The text at the bottom reads “Envain pour les guérir on accourt à leur aide / La rage est dans le Coeur, il n’est plus de remède.” The “Imp. Lithog. de C. Motte” inscription at the bottom right refers to the Paris lithographer, Charles Etienne Pierre Motte (1785-1836).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
17th century
printer
Motte, C
artist
Brekenlenkamp, Quiryn Van
engraver
Greux, Gustave Marie
printer
Chardon, Charles
ID Number
1991.0664.0002
catalog number
M-06267
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 960
Vinzenz Priessnitz (1799-1851), a peasant farmer in Silesia, is now considered the father of modern hydrotherapy.
Description
Vinzenz Priessnitz (1799-1851), a peasant farmer in Silesia, is now considered the father of modern hydrotherapy. This portait of him was attributed to Ruprecht, and printed by Johann Hőfelich in Vienna.
The portrait is surrounded by an oval frame composed of branches holding vignettes related to water and bathing. Posiden holds a trident in one hand and a glass in his other hand; and Putti pour cornucopias of water over bathers.
Location
Currently not on view
artist
Hofelich, Johann
printer
Ruprecht
depicted
Priessnitz, Vinzenz
ID Number
1991.0664.0016
catalog number
M-06247
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 940
Satirical image of moonstruck charlatans offering quacks cures for cholera, probably created at the time of the cholera epidemic of 1831-1832.
Description
Satirical image of moonstruck charlatans offering quacks cures for cholera, probably created at the time of the cholera epidemic of 1831-1832. The inscription reads “DIE MONDSÜCHTIGEN / oder / allerneuste Gespensterfurcht ver der so gräfslich genannten / aber schon seit Jahrtausenden bekannten—Cholera.”
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1991.0664.0011
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 969
Satirical print of medical charlatans. The “M. Pool excu. Amsterdam” inscription refers to the Dutch artist, Matthijs Pool (1676-1740).Currently not on view
Description
Satirical print of medical charlatans. The “M. Pool excu. Amsterdam” inscription refers to the Dutch artist, Matthijs Pool (1676-1740).
Location
Currently not on view
artist
Pool, M (atthys)?
ID Number
1991.0664.0010
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 963
Lithographed portrait of Christian Wilhelm Hufeland (1762-1836), an accomplished Geman physician and naturopath.Currently not on view
Description
Lithographed portrait of Christian Wilhelm Hufeland (1762-1836), an accomplished Geman physician and naturopath.
Location
Currently not on view
depicted
Hufeland, Christian Wilhelm
ID Number
1991.0664.0025
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 935
Wilhelm Stirn (1628-1677) was a German apothecary. The “J. Sandrart sculpsit” inscription on this portrait print refers to either Joachim van Sandrart (1606-1688), or his nephew, Jacob van Sandrart (1630-1708).Currently not on view
Description
Wilhelm Stirn (1628-1677) was a German apothecary. The “J. Sandrart sculpsit” inscription on this portrait print refers to either Joachim van Sandrart (1606-1688), or his nephew, Jacob van Sandrart (1630-1708).
Location
Currently not on view
depicted
Stirn, Wilhelm
ID Number
1991.0664.0053
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-06201
collector/donor number
SAP 894
A portrait of Carolus Clusius (also know as Charles de l'Escluse). Born in Arras in 1526, Clusius was a Flemish doctor and horticulturists. He was prefect of the imperial medical garden in Vienna under Maximilian II and professor at the University of Leiden.
Description
A portrait of Carolus Clusius (also know as Charles de l'Escluse). Born in Arras in 1526, Clusius was a Flemish doctor and horticulturists. He was prefect of the imperial medical garden in Vienna under Maximilian II and professor at the University of Leiden. He helped create the Hortus Academicus, one of the earliest formal botanical garden.
Location
Currently not on view
depicted
Clusius, Carolus
ID Number
1991.0664.0051
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-06226
collector/donor number
SAP 919
Portrait of Basil Bressler (1561-1629), an important apothecary and botanist in Nuremberg. Copper plate engraving from Bressler, Hortus Eystettensis (Nuremberg, 1613).Currently not on view
Description
Portrait of Basil Bressler (1561-1629), an important apothecary and botanist in Nuremberg. Copper plate engraving from Bressler, Hortus Eystettensis (Nuremberg, 1613).
Location
Currently not on view
depicted
Besler, Basilivs
ID Number
1991.0664.0074
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-06200
collector/donor number
SAP 893
Woodcut portrait of Leonhart Fuchs (1501-1566), a physician, botanist, and professor at the University of Tübingen.Currently not on view
Description
Woodcut portrait of Leonhart Fuchs (1501-1566), a physician, botanist, and professor at the University of Tübingen.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1991.0664.0047
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-06225
collector/donor number
SAP 918
Carl Ludwig Fernow (1763-1808) was a German art critic and archaeologist who originally intended to become a pharmacist. The “Esslinger s” inscription on this profile portrait print refers to the Swiss artist, Johann Martin Esslinger (1793-1841).Currently not on view
Description
Carl Ludwig Fernow (1763-1808) was a German art critic and archaeologist who originally intended to become a pharmacist. The “Esslinger s” inscription on this profile portrait print refers to the Swiss artist, Johann Martin Esslinger (1793-1841).
Location
Currently not on view
depicted
Fernow, Carl Ludwig
ID Number
1991.0664.0029
collector/donor number
SAP 917
accession number
1991.0664
Though the title is in Dutch, the writing on the bottles are in French and reference the French reign of terror. The cartoon is one of a series in the book "Hollandia Regenerata" by David Hess (1771-1843), published in 1797.
Description
Though the title is in Dutch, the writing on the bottles are in French and reference the French reign of terror. The cartoon is one of a series in the book "Hollandia Regenerata" by David Hess (1771-1843), published in 1797. The images satirize the Batavian Repblic and the French relationship with the Dutch.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1800
ID Number
1991.0664.0042
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-06266
collector/donor number
SAP 959
Satirical print of monkeys in an apothecary shop. The “M. Pool excu. Amsterdam” inscription refers to the Dutch artist, Matthijs Pool (1676-1740).Currently not on view
Description
Satirical print of monkeys in an apothecary shop. The “M. Pool excu. Amsterdam” inscription refers to the Dutch artist, Matthijs Pool (1676-1740).
Location
Currently not on view
artist
Pool, M (atthys)?
ID Number
1991.0664.0009
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 962
Satirical image of a man protecting himself from cholera, probably produced during the epidemic of 1831-1832.
Description
Satirical image of a man protecting himself from cholera, probably produced during the epidemic of 1831-1832. The inscription at the bottom reads “Die wohleingerichte kleine Hausapotheke für einem seine Gesundheit liebenden / CHOLERA PRAESERVATIVMANN / Nürnberg bei Fr: Campe” Friedrich Campe (1777-1846) was a printer in Nuremberg.
Location
Currently not on view
artist
Wunder
printer
Campe
ID Number
1991.0664.0012
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 967
Portrait of Martin Brendel (1595-1647) was a pharmacist in Nuermberg.Currently not on view
Description
Portrait of Martin Brendel (1595-1647) was a pharmacist in Nuermberg.
Location
Currently not on view
depicted
Brendel, Martin
ID Number
1991.0664.0044
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-06213
collector/donor number
SAP 906
Portrait print of Matthaeus Keller (1620-1661), a Nuremberg pharmacist. This was engraved by J. Sandrart, after a drawing by R. Warenfels, ca. 1665.Currently not on view
Description
Portrait print of Matthaeus Keller (1620-1661), a Nuremberg pharmacist. This was engraved by J. Sandrart, after a drawing by R. Warenfels, ca. 1665.
Location
Currently not on view
depicted
Keller, Matthaeus
ID Number
1991.0664.0022
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 898
Martin Heinrich Klaproth (1743-1817) was a Prussian chemist, mineralogist, and owner of a large apothecary shop in Berlin. This profile portrait was engraved by Ambroise Tardieu, after an image by E. Henne.Currently not on view
Description
Martin Heinrich Klaproth (1743-1817) was a Prussian chemist, mineralogist, and owner of a large apothecary shop in Berlin. This profile portrait was engraved by Ambroise Tardieu, after an image by E. Henne.
Location
Currently not on view
depicted
Klaproth, Matin Heinrich
Maker
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
ID Number
1991.0664.0030
collector/donor number
SAP 916
accession number
1991.0664
Etched portrait of Jacob Zobel owner of a "Moor Pharmacy" in Nuremberg. An inscription reads “T. B. Leonhart f. 1662.”Currently not on view
Description
Etched portrait of Jacob Zobel owner of a "Moor Pharmacy" in Nuremberg. An inscription reads “T. B. Leonhart f. 1662.”
Location
Currently not on view
depicted
Zobel, Jacob
ID Number
1991.0664.0024
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 905
Johann Christian Wiegleb (1732-1800) was a prominent German apothecary and chemist. This portrait was engraved by Johann Conrad Krüger.Currently not on view
Description
Johann Christian Wiegleb (1732-1800) was a prominent German apothecary and chemist. This portrait was engraved by Johann Conrad Krüger.
Location
Currently not on view
depicted
Wiegleb, Johann Christian
ID Number
1991.0664.0050
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-06222
collector/donor number
SAP 915
Portrait of Ambrosius Gessner (1601-1669), a pharmacist from Regenburg. The “M.V. Sommern, f.” inscription at the bottom refers to the engraver.Currently not on view
Description
Portrait of Ambrosius Gessner (1601-1669), a pharmacist from Regenburg. The “M.V. Sommern, f.” inscription at the bottom refers to the engraver.
Location
Currently not on view
depicted
Gessner, Ambrosius
ID Number
1991.0664.0020
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 913
Woodcut image of an apothecary in his shop, standing behind a counter grinding herbs with a mortar and pestle, and conversing with two customers. The shelves in the background are stocked with boxes and jars for holding herbs and medicines.Currently not on view
Description
Woodcut image of an apothecary in his shop, standing behind a counter grinding herbs with a mortar and pestle, and conversing with two customers. The shelves in the background are stocked with boxes and jars for holding herbs and medicines.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1991.0664.0019
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 943
Mezzotint image of Michael Kretschmann, a seventeenth-century physician and apothecary, with a Florence flask in his left hand. This was engraved by M[ichael] Fennitzer, in Nuremberg, in 1676.Currently not on view
Description
Mezzotint image of Michael Kretschmann, a seventeenth-century physician and apothecary, with a Florence flask in his left hand. This was engraved by M[ichael] Fennitzer, in Nuremberg, in 1676.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1676
ID Number
1991.0664.0034
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 900
Woodcut portrait of Sébastian Vaillant (1669-1722), an important botanist at the Jardin des Plantes in Paris.Currently not on view
Description
Woodcut portrait of Sébastian Vaillant (1669-1722), an important botanist at the Jardin des Plantes in Paris.
Location
Currently not on view
depicted
Vaillant, Sebastian
ID Number
1991.0664.0048
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-06229
collector/donor number
SAP 922

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