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.

Permissible gas mask for organic vapors, Type WIG G1, made by the Willson Products Division of The Electric Storage Battery Co., in Reading, Pa.Gile Johnson Willson (1824-1888) and his son, Thomas A. Willson (ca.
Description
Permissible gas mask for organic vapors, Type WIG G1, made by the Willson Products Division of The Electric Storage Battery Co., in Reading, Pa.
Gile Johnson Willson (1824-1888) and his son, Thomas A. Willson (ca. 1853-), both of Reading, Pa., began experimenting with optical glass in 1871, with the aim of making safety eyewear. T. A. Willson & Co. built a glass factory, hired workers from France and Belgium, and mounted an exhibit at the Centennial Exhibition held in Philadelphia in 1876. The firm became Willson Goggles, Inc. in 1913, and later Willson Products. By 1966, the firm had become a Division of The Electric Storage Battery Co. The factory in Reading closed in May 2002.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
After 1966
ID Number
2017.0184.033
catalog number
2017.0184.033
accession number
2017.0184
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1900
maker
Johnson and Johnson
ID Number
1981.0219.181
catalog number
1981.0219.181
accession number
1981.0219
Inscriptions on the container read “RAZORBRITE / BATH” and “PAT. 1981853 / PAT. 2027899 / TRADE MARK REG. / U.S. PAT. OFF.”Ref: Homer L. Bruce, “Receptacle,” U.S. Patent 1,981,853 (Nov. 27, 1934).Homer L. Bruce, “Cover for Receptacles for Safety Razors,” U.S.
Description
Inscriptions on the container read “RAZORBRITE / BATH” and “PAT. 1981853 / PAT. 2027899 / TRADE MARK REG. / U.S. PAT. OFF.”
Ref: Homer L. Bruce, “Receptacle,” U.S. Patent 1,981,853 (Nov. 27, 1934).
Homer L. Bruce, “Cover for Receptacles for Safety Razors,” U.S. Patent 2,027,899 (Jan. 14, 1936).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1940
patent date (US1981853 A)
1934
patent date (US2027899 A)
1936
ID Number
1986.0873.44
patent number
1981853
2027899
accession number
1986.0873
catalog number
1986.0873.44
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
Instrument designed for locating bullets and other foreign material in bodies. An inscription on the lid of the box reads “ETABLISSEMENTS GAIFFE / COMPASS DE MR LE MEDECIN PRINCIPAL HIRTZ / POUR LA RECHERCHE DES PROJECTILES.” The form was invented in 1907 by E. J.
Description
Instrument designed for locating bullets and other foreign material in bodies. An inscription on the lid of the box reads “ETABLISSEMENTS GAIFFE / COMPASS DE MR LE MEDECIN PRINCIPAL HIRTZ / POUR LA RECHERCHE DES PROJECTILES.” The form was invented in 1907 by E. J. Hirtz, a French medical officer and head of physiotherapy at a military hospital, and widely used during World War I. Ladislas Adolphe Gaiffe (1832-1887) was an important electrical instrument maker in Paris who began in business in 1856. He was succeeded by his son, G. Gaiffe. By the 1920, the firm was trading as Etablissements Gaiffe-Gallot & Pilon.
Ref: L. Ombrédanne and R. Ledoux-Lebard, Localization and Extraction of Projectiles (London, 1918), p. 214.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1916
maker
Gaiffe, Ladislas Adolphe
ID Number
MG.315231.01
catalog number
315231.01
accession number
218475
Alexander Fleming, working in England in 1928, discovered penicillin but could not produce enough for medical use. Following the advent of World War II, the British and American governments supported efforts to mass produce this potentially life-saving drug. Chas.
Description
Alexander Fleming, working in England in 1928, discovered penicillin but could not produce enough for medical use. Following the advent of World War II, the British and American governments supported efforts to mass produce this potentially life-saving drug. Chas. Pfizer & Co., in the U.S., had great success with deep tank fermentation. This sealed glass ampule has a paper label that reads in part “PENICILLIN CALCIUM SALT” and “CHAS. PFIZER & CO., INC.” and “Do Not Use After 12-10-43.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1943
maker
Charles Pfizer and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10008
catalog number
M-10008
accession number
239425
Safety razor in a cardboard box with labels that read “Christy / TRADE MARK / SAFETY RAZOR / with the / MASSAGE BAR / KEEPS YOUR FACE YOUNG.” This was manufactured by the Christy Co. in Fremont, Ohio. Russ J. Christy established the Christy Knife Co. in 1891, and the R. J.
Description
Safety razor in a cardboard box with labels that read “Christy / TRADE MARK / SAFETY RAZOR / with the / MASSAGE BAR / KEEPS YOUR FACE YOUNG.” This was manufactured by the Christy Co. in Fremont, Ohio. Russ J. Christy established the Christy Knife Co. in 1891, and the R. J. Christy Co. around 1907. The massage bar on this razor was described in Christy’s patent of 1924.
Ref: Russ J. Christy, “Safety Razor,” U.S. Patent 798,129 (Aug. 29, 1905).
Russ J. Christy, “Safety Razor,” U.S. Patent 788,820 (May 2, 1905).
Russ J. Christy, “Safety Razor,” U.S. Patent 853,960 (May 21, 1907).
Russ J. Christy, “Skin Smoothing and Stretching Device for Safety Razors,” U.S. Patent 1,502,615 (July 22, 1924).
Russ J. Christy, “Safety Razor,” U.S. Patent 1,777,602 (Oct. 7, 1930).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1923-1940
maker
Christy Company
ID Number
2005.0100.093
accession number
2005.0100
catalog number
2005.0100.093
Safety razor in a cardboard box with inscriptions that read in part “GILLETTE SAFETY RAZOR CO. / King Gillette, PRES.” The American Safety Razor Company was established in 1901, and became the Gillette Safety Razor Company in July 1902. King G.
Description
Safety razor in a cardboard box with inscriptions that read in part “GILLETTE SAFETY RAZOR CO. / King Gillette, PRES.” The American Safety Razor Company was established in 1901, and became the Gillette Safety Razor Company in July 1902. King G. Gillette obtained a trademark registration (0056921) for his portrait and signature on the packaging, and production began in 1903.
Ref: King C. Gillette, “Razor,” U.S. Patent 775,134 (Nov. 15, 1904), assigned to Federal Trust Company, of Boston.
King Camp Gillette, “Razor,” U.S. Patent 775,135 (Nov. 15, 1904), assigned to Federal Trust Company, of Boston.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
maker
Gillette Safety Razor Co.
ID Number
MG.293320.1500
catalog number
293320.1500
accession number
293320
An inscription on one side of this cardboard package reads “SEALECTED / STAR / DOUBLE EDGE” and that on the other reads “Famous Since 1880 / STAR DIVISION / AMERICAN SAFETY RAZOR CORP. / BROOKLYN 1, N.Y. / MADE IN U.S.A.” The form was on the market by 1948.Currently not on view
Description
An inscription on one side of this cardboard package reads “SEALECTED / STAR / DOUBLE EDGE” and that on the other reads “Famous Since 1880 / STAR DIVISION / AMERICAN SAFETY RAZOR CORP. / BROOKLYN 1, N.Y. / MADE IN U.S.A.” The form was on the market by 1948.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
mid 20th century
maker
American Safety Razor Corporation
ID Number
1984.0730.01
accession number
1984.0730
catalog number
1984.0730.01
Steel safety razor with a “GEM” inscription. An inscription on the cardboard box reads “We guarantee the perfection / and shave satisfaction of this / Gem Safety Razor and its / marvelous Gem Double-Life / Blade.
Description
Steel safety razor with a “GEM” inscription. An inscription on the cardboard box reads “We guarantee the perfection / and shave satisfaction of this / Gem Safety Razor and its / marvelous Gem Double-Life / Blade. Gem blades are sold / everywhere and always run / 100% perfect to the package.”
Ref: Ad for Gem Double Life Blades in Popular Mechanics (Feb. 1926): 162.
Location
Currently not on view (cardboard box; paper inserts)
date made
ca 1923
maker
Gem Safety Razor Corporation
ID Number
1985.0481.230
accession number
1985.0481
catalog number
1985.0481.230
Dark pink hardcover bound book. Written and illustrated by Kaitlin Papenfuss age 9.
Description
Dark pink hardcover bound book. Written and illustrated by Kaitlin Papenfuss age 9. The story is about Kaitlin and her Teddy Bears - one is her teddy bear Rufus (see 2017.0192.01), the other is an imaginary bear named "Baby Bear." Published by : Creations by You, PO Box 102830, Denver, CO 80250-2830, www.creationsbyyou.com.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
2006
maker
Marie, Kaitlin
ID Number
2017.0192.02
accession number
2017.0192
catalog number
2017.0192.02
Toothbrush shared by astronauts Col. Frank Borman and Capt. Jim Lovell in 1965 on their rendezvous flight with Gemini 6-A.Currently not on view
Description
Toothbrush shared by astronauts Col. Frank Borman and Capt. Jim Lovell in 1965 on their rendezvous flight with Gemini 6-A.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca.1965
ID Number
MG.M-14770
catalog number
M-14770
accession number
300968
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1988-2005
maker
Warner-Lambert Pharmaceutical Company
Rotary International
ID Number
2005.3017.04
catalog number
2005.3017.04
nonaccession number
2005.3017
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1946
maker
Upjohn Company
ID Number
1994.0359.01.01
catalog number
1994.0359.01.01
accession number
1994.0359
In 1954, Jonas Salk’s early success with a killed polio virus vaccine led the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis to implement a large-scale trial of his vaccine. James M.
Description
In 1954, Jonas Salk’s early success with a killed polio virus vaccine led the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis to implement a large-scale trial of his vaccine. James M. Norton, a third-grade student at Thornton Heights School in South Portland, Maine, was one of many children who took part in this trial. This is the button he was given at that time.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1954
ID Number
1996.0336.01
accession number
1996.0336
catalog number
1996.0336.01
In 1954, Jonas Salk’s early success with a killed polio virus vaccine led the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis to implement a large-scale trial of his vaccine. James M.
Description
In 1954, Jonas Salk’s early success with a killed polio virus vaccine led the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis to implement a large-scale trial of his vaccine. James M. Norton, a third-grade student at Thornton Heights School in South Portland, Maine, was one of many children who took part in this trial. This is the card he was given at that time.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1954
ID Number
1996.0336.02
accession number
1996.0336
catalog number
1996.0336.02
Cardboard box containing one hypodermic needle, and carrying a text that reads in part “LILLY’S ILETIN SYRINGE NO. 280” AND “ELI LILLY & CO. Indianapolis, U.S.A.” The inscription on the needle tube reads “Lilly 35787 / NO. 280 ILETIN SYRINGE / ELI LILLY & CO.
Description
Cardboard box containing one hypodermic needle, and carrying a text that reads in part “LILLY’S ILETIN SYRINGE NO. 280” AND “ELI LILLY & CO. Indianapolis, U.S.A.” The inscription on the needle tube reads “Lilly 35787 / NO. 280 ILETIN SYRINGE / ELI LILLY & CO. INDIANAPOLIS, U.S.A.” Iletin was the Eli Lilly trade name for insulin. The firm filed for a trademark on the term in 1922.
In the early 1920s, Eli Lilly collaborated with the research team at the University of Toronto to develop the commercial manufacture of insulin. Along with the production of insulin, the company marketed accessories such as insulin syringe kits and testing kits for urine sugar.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1940
maker
Eli Lilly and Company
ID Number
1982.0498.13
catalog number
1982.0498.13
accession number
1982.0498
Two glass pipettes in a cardboard box. Inscriptions on the box read in part, “YANKEE CERTIFIED / BLOOD DILUTING PIPETTE—WITH TUBING AND MOUTHPIECE / CERTIFIED BY CLAY-ADAMS, INC.
Description
Two glass pipettes in a cardboard box. Inscriptions on the box read in part, “YANKEE CERTIFIED / BLOOD DILUTING PIPETTE—WITH TUBING AND MOUTHPIECE / CERTIFIED BY CLAY-ADAMS, INC. MADE IN U.S.A.” AND “PATENT 2,726,549 / ALL MARKINGS ARE PERMANENT AND WILL NOT WASH OR WEAR OFF.”
Ref: James H. Geffen, “Graduated Measuring Device,” U.S. Patent 2,726,549 (Dec. 13, 1955), assigned to Clay-Adams, Inc.
Location
Currently not on view
patent date
1955-12-13
maker
Clay Adams
ID Number
1980.0851.04
catalog number
1980.0851.04
accession number
1980.0851
patent number
US2726549
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1938
maker
Parke, Davis and Company
ID Number
MG.M-04678.03
catalog number
M-04678.03
accession number
147292
An intubation kit sold by Haussmann, McComb & Dunn, 122 Randolph St., Chicago. The kit is contained in a leather-covered, hinged case with metal clasp and red fabric lining.
Description (Brief)
An intubation kit sold by Haussmann, McComb & Dunn, 122 Randolph St., Chicago. The kit is contained in a leather-covered, hinged case with metal clasp and red fabric lining. The kit contains: 5 gold plated O'Dwyer's intubation tubes with metal obturators; 1 O'Dwyer's Scale (original style); 1 O'Dwyer's Introducer (with wood handle); 1 O'Dwyer's intubation tube extracto (with wood handle); 1 Waxham's mouth gag.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1886 - 1891
maker
Haussmann, McComb & Dunn
ID Number
MG.M-04708
catalog number
M-04708
accession number
148567
Pink metal powder tin with dark pink and blue print label and decorative gold and white border. "For Cleansing the Skin and Removing Superficial Blackheads." Net weight 4 ozs.; price $1.00.
Description
Pink metal powder tin with dark pink and blue print label and decorative gold and white border. "For Cleansing the Skin and Removing Superficial Blackheads." Net weight 4 ozs.; price $1.00. Directions for use on the back label: "Firm but gentle meal-like cleanser that sloughs off parched and lifeless cuticle . . . gives your skin radiant beauty. Cleanse with Cleansing Cream, Skin Freshener, Mix teaspoonful Special Cleansing Preparation with water to make thin paste. Apply paste with massage, covering neck and face completely, except area around eyes. Let dry, rub off with dry washcloth, concentrating on affected (blackhead) areas. Follow treatment for 7 days. For daily use, to replace soap and water, use dry on wet cloth. A hypo-allergenic product used in the Dubarry Success School."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 1950s
maker
Richard Hudnut
ID Number
1985.0481.272
catalog number
1985.0481.272
accession number
1985.0481
Vaccination shields were designed to protect the patient’s skin from damage or infection following the procedure. The inscription on this example refers to Harry K. Mulford, a Philadelphia pharmacist who, in 1894, opened a laboratory to produce diphtheria antitoxin.Ref: Harry K.
Description
Vaccination shields were designed to protect the patient’s skin from damage or infection following the procedure. The inscription on this example refers to Harry K. Mulford, a Philadelphia pharmacist who, in 1894, opened a laboratory to produce diphtheria antitoxin.
Ref: Harry K. Mulford, “Vaccination Shield,” U.S. Patent 703,290 (June 24, 1902).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1902 - 1915
patent filed
1901-11-02
patent date
1902-06-24
maker
H. K. Mulford Company
ID Number
1980.0337.01
catalog number
1980.0337.01
accession number
1980.0337
collector/donor number
3460
patent number
703,290
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920
maker
Lashbrow Laboratories Co.
ID Number
MG.293320.0941
catalog number
293320.0941
accession number
293320
Text and photograph from Gardner's Photographic Sketchbook of the War, Vol. II. Negative by John Reekie, text and positive by Alexander Gardner.Historically connected with the closing scenes of the great rebellion, this river will forever be interesting.
Description
Text and photograph from Gardner's Photographic Sketchbook of the War, Vol. II. Negative by John Reekie, text and positive by Alexander Gardner.
Historically connected with the closing scenes of the great rebellion, this river will forever be interesting. This picture was taken about a mile above City Point, the boats being a portion of the fleet in the service of the Medical Department. The well-known supply boat, Planter, is lying at the little pier, formed by a section of a pontoon bridge. In the foreground is another pier, somewhat more solidly constructed on piles, driven into the oozy bed of the river. The opposite bank forms a part of Bermuda Hundreds, occupied by Gen. Butler after the failure of his advance upon Richmond.
When the combined forces besieged Petersburg, the Army of the James was encamped near Bermuda Hundreds, Gen. Butler's headquarters being close upon the river, near Point of Rocks, where a pontoon bridge was laid, to connect the lines of the two armies. The bridge was well guarded by a squadron of gunboats, and although the rebels repeatedly attempted its destruction, remained undisturbed until the close of the war.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1865-01
maker
Gardner, Alexander
ID Number
1986.0711.0283.22
accession number
1986.0711
catalog number
1986.0711.0283.22

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