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.

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
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
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
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
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
mid-1940s
maker
Pond's Extract Company
ID Number
1985.0475.206
catalog number
1985.0475.206
accession number
1985.0475
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930s
ca 1930s - 1940s
maker
Curio Products Company
ID Number
1986.0873.52
catalog number
1986.0873.52
accession number
1986.0873
In September 1928, British bacteriologist Alexander Fleming found something unusual growing in his laboratory. Mold had contaminated a plate of Staphylococci, disease-causing bacteria.
Description
In September 1928, British bacteriologist Alexander Fleming found something unusual growing in his laboratory. Mold had contaminated a plate of Staphylococci, disease-causing bacteria. Where the mold had spread, the bacteria had disappeared.
Further research revealed that the mold, Penicillium notatum, produced a substance harmful to microorganisms but relatively nontoxic to animals and humans. During World War II, British and American scientists expanded on Fleming's discovery to develop the powerful antibiotic penicillin.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1940s
referenced
Fleming, Alexander
maker
Fleming, Alexander
ID Number
MG.M-06668
catalog number
M-06668
accession number
198819
Oval, white glass container with a paper label seal around the perimeter. 1 1/8 oz. Active Ingredients printed on label.
Description
Oval, white glass container with a paper label seal around the perimeter. 1 1/8 oz. Active Ingredients printed on label. "For External Use by Adults"
["Directions for Using Black and White Bleaching Cream" about 1941]
"Nature is constantly replacing the outer layer of normal skin by flaking it off in tiny particles and replacing it with a new layer.
Black and White Bleaching Cream acts in a similar and supplemental manner and may be used in cases where one wishes to hasten exfoliation (peeling off) of the over-pigmented outer skin -- the result of exposure to sun or wind. It acts the same way when applied to freckles ... It is especially useful as a complexion lightener ..."
"Black and White Bleaching Cream is packaged in special, oval-shaped, opal jars so you may easily remove a small quantity of the cream with the fingertips, thereby regulating the amount you wish to apply.'
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1940s
maker
Black and White Company
Plough, Inc.
ID Number
1985.0475.156
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.156
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1944
copyright date (on packaging)
1944
maker
Overton Hygienic Mfg. Company
ID Number
1988.0037.21
catalog number
1988.0037.21
accession number
1988.0037
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1948
ID Number
2003.0031.06
accession number
2003.0031
catalog number
2003.0031.06
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1941-1945
maker
Johnson and Johnson
ID Number
1997.0282.02
accession number
1997.0282
catalog number
1997.0282.02
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1941
expiration date
1942-09-01
maker
Parke, Davis and Company
ID Number
MG.M-04860
accession number
154611
catalog number
M-04860
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1949
expiration date
1950-08-05
maker
Lederle Laboratories Division, American Cyanimid Company
ID Number
MG.M-06543
catalog number
M-06543
accession number
183169
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1947
maker
Sharp and Dohme
ID Number
MG.177206.11
catalog number
177206.11
accession number
177206
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1939
expiration date
1940-11-01
maker
Parke, Davis and Company
ID Number
MG.M-04856
catalog number
M-04856
accession number
154611
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1920-1940
Associated Name
Hauch's
maker
Royal Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1982.0274.04
accession number
1982.0274
catalog number
1982.0274.04
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1947
maker
Sharp and Dohme
ID Number
MG.177206.07
catalog number
177206.07
accession number
177206
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1947
maker
Sharp and Dohme
ID Number
MG.177206.01
catalog number
177206.01
accession number
177206
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Is an antiseptic, soothing and healing treatment for every form of itching skin diesease, eczema, salt rheum, itching, bleeding and protruding piles, pimples, black-heads, old sores, poisoned skin, hives
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Is an antiseptic, soothing and healing treatment for every form of itching skin diesease, eczema, salt rheum, itching, bleeding and protruding piles, pimples, black-heads, old sores, poisoned skin, hives, insect bites, inflamed eyelids, itch, barber's itch, sore feet and toes, chilblains and frostbites.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1923-1943
maker
Dr. A. W. Chase Medicine Company
ID Number
2008.0018.125
accession number
2008.0018
catalog number
2008.0018.125
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1945
maker
Scherk
ID Number
1985.0475.225
catalog number
1985.0475.225
accession number
1985.0475
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1945
product launch
1944
maker
Lilly Dache
ID Number
1985.0481.224
accession number
1985.0481
catalog number
1985.0481.224
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Suggested uses: On the body, after a tub, shower, or dip. In the shoes and stockings before dancing and walking. On the body, before and after golf, tennis, and other excercise. On sunburned skin.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Suggested uses: On the body, after a tub, shower, or dip. In the shoes and stockings before dancing and walking. On the body, before and after golf, tennis, and other excercise. On sunburned skin. After shaving. Doesn't show. Use it after Aqua Velva.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1940
maker
J. B. Williams Company
ID Number
1988.3089.115
catalog number
1988.3089.115
nonaccession number
1988.3089
The indications or uses for this product as provided on the packaging are:Indicated in all cases of bacillary dysentery including those cases of epidemic jail and asylum dysentery and infant summer diarrhea that are due to infection with the dysentery bacillus.Currently not on vi
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on the packaging are:
Indicated in all cases of bacillary dysentery including those cases of epidemic jail and asylum dysentery and infant summer diarrhea that are due to infection with the dysentery bacillus.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1946
maker
Parke, Davis and Company
ID Number
MG.M-06426
catalog number
M-06426
accession number
173771

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