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.

This wrought-iron crucible has a bowl with three legs and a straight handle. One of the legs been replaced. The bowl is incised “*L*W*/1678.”Currently not on view
Description
This wrought-iron crucible has a bowl with three legs and a straight handle. One of the legs been replaced. The bowl is incised “*L*W*/1678.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1678
ID Number
1991.0664.0949
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-06345
collector/donor number
SAP 1037
catalog number
1991.0664.0949
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
A portrait of Johannes van Buyten by Arnaldo van Westerhout. Van Buyten was a teacher of anatomy and a physician in the town of Antwerp.Currently not on view
Description
A portrait of Johannes van Buyten by Arnaldo van Westerhout. Van Buyten was a teacher of anatomy and a physician in the town of Antwerp.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1674
depicted
Van Buyten, Johannes
maker
Westerhout, Arnaldo Van
ID Number
1991.0664.0040
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-06237

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