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.

Mercury-in-glass thermometer with a fairly large cylindrical bulb that could probably float in water.
Description
Mercury-in-glass thermometer with a fairly large cylindrical bulb that could probably float in water. An auxiliary glass tube attached to the stem holds a hand-written piece of paper marked “Thermometre Selon Fahrenheit et Decimal par Pixii rue du Jardinet N° 2 A Paris.” This paper also carries two parallel scales. One extends from -30 to +127 graduated every degree, with indications for “Glace Tempere” at zero and “Eau Bte” at 100. The other extends from -22 to +260, graduated every 2 degrees.
This thermometer was made between 1818 and 1838 when Pixii worked at rue du Jardinet N° 2. It may have belonged to the American scientist, John William Draper.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1818-1838
maker
Maison Pixii
ID Number
PH.333986
accession number
304826
catalog number
333986
Bathing, whether for cleanliness or health, was not a common practice in Colonial America, or even Great Britain, and only became so over time. This bath thermometer indicates this changing practice.
Description
Bathing, whether for cleanliness or health, was not a common practice in Colonial America, or even Great Britain, and only became so over time. This bath thermometer indicates this changing practice. It was probably owned by John William Draper (1811-1882), an American scientist with wide-ranging interests and accomplishments and who kept in touch with friends and colleagues abroad.
This simple mercury-in-glass thermometer was designed for determining when bath water is at a healthy temperture. The scale extends from 0 to 130 degrees, and is marked "Dr. FORBES SPECIFICATIONS" as well as "FREEZING"; "COLD BATH"; "COOL"; "TEM."; "TEPID"; "WARM"; and "HOT." The reference is to John Forbes, a Scottish physician who recommended therapeutic bathing.
Ref. Richard Bushmann and Claudia Bushmann, “The Early History of Cleanliness in America,” Journal of American History 74 (1988): 1213-1238.
John Forbes, et. al., The Cyclopaedia of Practical Medicine (London, 1833), vol. 1, p. 260.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 19th century
ID Number
PH.333987
catalog number
333987
accession number
304826
Mercury-in-glass thermometer with a milk-white back. The tube is triangular in cross section, with the scale on one face and the number on another. The scale extends from 92 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit, divided in fifths.
Description
Mercury-in-glass thermometer with a milk-white back. The tube is triangular in cross section, with the scale on one face and the number on another. The scale extends from 92 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit, divided in fifths. Inscriptions read “766418” and “TAYLOR INSTRUMENT COMPANIES / ROCHESTER, N.Y.” The Taylor Instrument Companies began operating as such in 1907. The firm gave this instrument to the Smithsonian in 1923.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
before 1923
maker
Taylor Instrument Co.
ID Number
MG.M-07711
accession number
70532
catalog number
M-07711

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