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
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
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
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 1910s
maker
Richard Hudnut
ID Number
MG.M-11464.03
catalog number
M-11464.03
accession number
260557
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
brand launched (Cutex)
1911
maker
Northam Warren
ID Number
1985.0481.330
catalog number
1985.0481.330
accession number
1985.0481
First aid chest used by Italian Army in World War I.Currently not on view
Description
First aid chest used by Italian Army in World War I.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1916
ID Number
MG.28627
catalog number
28627
accession number
65023
An inscription in the lid of the case of this safety razor reads “VALET / Auto Strop Razor / MADE IN U.S.A.” That on the razor head reads “Patented / April 9, 1912 / Other patents pending.” Another reads “STAR SUPER. . .” The Autostrop Safety Razor Company, Inc.
Description
An inscription in the lid of the case of this safety razor reads “VALET / Auto Strop Razor / MADE IN U.S.A.” That on the razor head reads “Patented / April 9, 1912 / Other patents pending.” Another reads “STAR SUPER. . .” The Autostrop Safety Razor Company, Inc. was established in 1906 by Henry J. Gaisman, R. E. Dwight, H. K. Stockton and Henry Audley in New York City.
Ref: Full page ad for Valet Auto Strop Razor, “The World’s Fastest Shave,” in Popular Science Monthly (Oct. 1922), p. 81.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1912
maker
Auto Strop Safety Razor Company
ID Number
2012.0046.11
catalog number
2012.0046.11
accession number
2012.0046
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:On toilet and shaving soaps, perfumes, sachets, toilet waters, talc and dental powders.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
On toilet and shaving soaps, perfumes, sachets, toilet waters, talc and dental powders.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1908-1918
product release
1873
maker
Colgate & Company
ID Number
MG.293320.0982
catalog number
293320.0982
accession number
293320
The McIntosh Electrical Corporation of Chicago, successor to the McIntosh Battery & Optical Co., made apparatus for physiotherapy. An inscription on the face of this high voltage, low current machine reads “THE MCINTOSH NO. 5 / POLYSINE / TRADE MARK U.S. PAT. OFF. APP.
Description
The McIntosh Electrical Corporation of Chicago, successor to the McIntosh Battery & Optical Co., made apparatus for physiotherapy. An inscription on the face of this high voltage, low current machine reads “THE MCINTOSH NO. 5 / POLYSINE / TRADE MARK U.S. PAT. OFF. APP. FOR / SER. NO. . . / OPERATES ON DIRECT CURRENT / MFD. BY / MCINTOSH.”
Ref: J. M. Martin, Practical Electro-Therapeutics and X-Ray Therapy (St. Louis, 1912), pp. 173-177.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920
maker
McIntosh Electrical Corporation
ID Number
MG.318933.01
catalog number
318933.01
serial number
1033
accession number
318933
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920
product launch date (As the Petals)
1916
ID Number
MG.293320.0883
catalog number
293320.0883
accession number
293320
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1919-06-06
maker
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
ID Number
2005.3094.06
catalog number
2005.3094.06
nonaccession number
2005.3094
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer, or as found in contemporary medical literature, are:For pain, asthma, nervous cough, incont. urine, night sweats. Also used as an antidote to morphine or opium.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer, or as found in contemporary medical literature, are:
For pain, asthma, nervous cough, incont. urine, night sweats. Also used as an antidote to morphine or opium. [Merck's Index, Fouth Edition, 1930]
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1886
1918-1975
Date made
after 1918
date made
after 1918
maker
Sandoz Chemical Works
ID Number
MG.314016.054
catalog number
314016.054
accession number
314016
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1925
product line launched (Glebeas Adoration)
1915
maker
Glebeas Importation Company
ID Number
1985.0481.291
accession number
1985.0481
catalog number
1985.0481.291
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1910s
maker
Dr. J.B. Lynas & Son
ID Number
1986.0873.46
accession number
1986.0873
catalog number
1986.0873.46
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
brand launched (Cutex)
1911
maker
Northam Warren
ID Number
2012.0046.31.02
accession number
2012.0046
catalog number
2012.0046.31.02
Orange cardboard box containing one yard of corrosive sublimate gauze for field use in World War I.
Description
Orange cardboard box containing one yard of corrosive sublimate gauze for field use in World War I. Typed on the box in black ink is: "B&B Corrosive / Sublimate Gauze / Compressed / 1 Yard / Prepared by / Bauer & Black / Chicago, U.S.A / Contract May, 1917." Corrosive sublimate, also known as mercuric chloride (HgCl2), was used as an antiseptic during the war.
date made
ca. 1917
maker
Bauer & Black
ID Number
AF.303690D
catalog number
303690D
accession number
62728
This box of 1 ounce Aspirin dates to after 1913 when Bayer established its New York office at 117 Hudson Street.
Description
This box of 1 ounce Aspirin dates to after 1913 when Bayer established its New York office at 117 Hudson Street. The box bears the “Bayer Cross” logo with the text “Registered Trademark/1 Ounce/Aspirin/(Monoaceticacidester of Salicylic Acid).”
Bayer originally marketed its trademarked Aspirin in powder form only to the medical profession and drug firms, to distinguish the product from patent medicines sold directly to the public. On this package the name "Aspirin" is followed by "Monoaceticacidester of Salicylic Acid," the generic name Bayer provided for the product. Aspirin already had a fairly simple chemical name, acetyl salicylic acid or ASA, but the more complicated generic name helped Bayer maintain its monopoly on this lucrative new drug. The brand name “Aspirin” proved much easier to remember, and it was soon in popular use for all ASA products.
date made
ca 1913
maker
Bayer Company
ID Number
1978.0883.039
accession number
1978.0883
catalog number
1978.0883.039
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1910
maker
Institut Sero-therapique et Vaccinal Suisse
Pasteur Vaccine Company Ld.
ID Number
MG.293320.0812
catalog number
293320.0812
accession number
293320
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
ID Number
MG.M-09480.2
catalog number
M-09480.2
accession number
228888
Cast iron pump with a “LEIMAN BROS. AIR PUMP / PAT’D JUNE 04 / MAR 08” inscription. Charles E. H. Armbruster used this pump for an iron lung of his own invention.Ref: William H. Leiman and George W. Leiman, “Rotary Pump,” U.S. Patent 762,539 (June 14, 1904).William H.
Description
Cast iron pump with a “LEIMAN BROS. AIR PUMP / PAT’D JUNE 04 / MAR 08” inscription. Charles E. H. Armbruster used this pump for an iron lung of his own invention.
Ref: William H. Leiman and George W. Leiman, “Rotary Pump,” U.S. Patent 762,539 (June 14, 1904).
William H. Leiman and George W. Leiman, “Blower,” U.S. Patent 883,464 (March 31, 1908).
Location
Currently not on view
patent filed
1914-09-02
patent date
1916-02-22
ID Number
1982.0200.02
accession number
1982.0200
catalog number
1982.0200.02
patent number
1172660
1172661
1172662
The American Art Works of Coshocton, Ohio produced this Munyon Home Remedy Company counter display case during the early 20th century.
Description
The American Art Works of Coshocton, Ohio produced this Munyon Home Remedy Company counter display case during the early 20th century. The metal box features a photograph of James Munyon holding his right index finger aloft and proclaiming in a banner below: “I would rather preserve the health of the nation than be its ruler.” Decorative panels on the sides of the box read: “The World’s best known remedies for over a quarter of a century” and “A separate Munyon Remedy for each disease.”
James M. Munyon (1848 - 1918) established his homeopathic medicine company in the early 1890s. Remedies included in this display box: Constipation Pellets, Morrowbone Nux Iron, Hay Fever Remedy, Bladder Remedy, Blood Remedy, Catarrh Remedy, Cold and Cough Remedy, Female Remedy, General Debility Remedy, Grippe Remedy, Heart Remedy, Kidney Remedy, Liver Remedy, Nerve Remedy, Neuralgia Remedy, Asthma Pellets, Colic and Crying Baby Remedy, Constipation Ointment, Cough Remedy, Croup Remedy, Fever Remedy, Headache Remedy, Laxative Paw-Paw Pills, Leucorrhea Tablets, Malaria and Chills and Fever Remedy, Measles Remedy, Pleurisy Remedy, Remedy for Rheumatic Fever, Sore Throat Remedy, Special Liquid Blood Cure, Stomachic Triturates, Vitalizer, Worm Remedy.
After the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act in 1906, the Federal Government investigated many of Munyon's products. In 1911 they were judged "misbranded," and subsequently Munyon removed the name "Cure" from his homeopathic remedies.
This object is one of 39 objects from the Estate of Robert W. Vinson donated to the Smithsonian in 1958. Robert William Vinson (1872-1958), known as “Doc” or “Doc Willie” Vinson, ran Vinson’s Pharmacy in Rockville, Maryland, from the early 1900s until 1957. The store was built in the 1880’s and located on the corner of Montgomery Avenue and Perry Street, across from the Montgomery County Court House, and was reported to be a popular gathering place for local politicians. It closed after Mr. Vinson’s death and many objects and furnishings, some dating to the years prior to Mr. Vinson’s ownership, were donated to the Montgomery County Historical Society Stonestreet Museum, as well as to the Smithsonian. An ornate 1914 soda fountain from the drugstore was installed in the Rockville public library. Highlights in the Smithsonian collection include glass apothecary bottles, a "Konseal" Filling and Closing Apparatus, and two pharmacy counter displays: “Munyon’s Homeopathic Home Remedies” and “German Household Dyes.”
Reference: Buglass, Ralph. Rockville, 2020. Print. (Images of America Series)
date made
ca 1918
maker
Munyon Home Remedy Company
The American Art Works
ID Number
MG.M-07379
catalog number
M-07379
accession number
220980
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1925
product line launched (Glebeas Adoration)
1915
maker
Glebeas Importation Company
ID Number
1985.0481.288
accession number
1985.0481
catalog number
1985.0481.288
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Apply with the finger tip or a bit of absorbent cotton to the nails. Will give them a soft, pink tint. Cutex Rouge is also an excellent lip and face rouge.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Apply with the finger tip or a bit of absorbent cotton to the nails. Will give them a soft, pink tint. Cutex Rouge is also an excellent lip and face rouge.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1920s
product launched (Cutex Rouge)
ca 1916
brand launched (Cutex)
1911
maker
Northam Warren
ID Number
1979.0798.186
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.186

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