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.

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
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
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
Custom-made fabric waist pack for an insulin pump with zippered closure and belt loop on back. Pack is made of blue denim material with silver stars sewn to front.
Description
Custom-made fabric waist pack for an insulin pump with zippered closure and belt loop on back. Pack is made of blue denim material with silver stars sewn to front. Large star-shaped button on front says "Kaitlin's Lucky Stars." Label inside the pack reads: www.myownstylepack.com. The pack was worn by the donor Kaitlin Papenfuss (later Kaitlin Marie) and made by her mother. Kaitlin's Lucky Stars was the name of her team for the Walk to Cure Diabetes.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 2004
maker
Papenfuss, Janet Katherine
ID Number
2017.0192.06
accession number
2017.0192
catalog number
2017.0192.06
Soft cover, staple bound, illustrated children's book. Written by Kim Gosselin and illustrated by Terry Ravanelli. Published by JayJo Books, L.L.C., Copyright 2001.
Description
Soft cover, staple bound, illustrated children's book. Written by Kim Gosselin and illustrated by Terry Ravanelli. Published by JayJo Books, L.L.C., Copyright 2001. Story is about a boy named Brian and his experience being diagnosed with diabetes, learning how to manage diabetes, and receiving the bear Rufus to help him through this process. The book belonged to the donor, Kaitlin Marie, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 2.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
2001
maker
Gosselin, Kim
ID Number
2017.0192.04
accession number
2017.0192
catalog number
2017.0192.04
Soft cover, staple bound, illustrated children's book. Written by Kim Gosselin and illustrated by Moss Freedman. Published by JayJo Books, L.L.C., Copyright 1998, 2004.
Description
Soft cover, staple bound, illustrated children's book. Written by Kim Gosselin and illustrated by Moss Freedman. Published by JayJo Books, L.L.C., Copyright 1998, 2004. Story is about a boy named Jayson and his experience managing his diabetes especially throughout the school day. The story is intended to be read in the classroom to help other children better understand the experience of a classmate with diabetes. The author's own son Jayson was diagnosed with diabetes at age 6. The book belonged to the donor, Kaitlin Marie, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 2.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
2004
maker
Gosselin, Kim
ID Number
2017.0192.05
accession number
2017.0192
catalog number
2017.0192.05
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
2000
awardee
Papenfuss, Kaitlin Marie
ID Number
2017.0192.09
accession number
2017.0192
catalog number
2017.0192.09
Red hardcover bound book. Written and illustrated by Kaitlin Papenfuss age 11. The story is about Kaitlin's experience living with juvenile diabetes which she was diagnosed with at age 2.
Description
Red hardcover bound book. Written and illustrated by Kaitlin Papenfuss age 11. The story is about Kaitlin's experience living with juvenile diabetes which she was diagnosed with at age 2. Published by : Creations by You, PO Box 102830, Denver, CO 80250-2830, www.creationsbyyou.com.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
2007
maker
Marie, Kaitlin
ID Number
2017.0192.03
accession number
2017.0192
catalog number
2017.0192.03
Black cotton t-sirt with writing on back and front. Front: "Kaitlin's Lucky Stars / Walk to Cure Diabetes / myownstylepack.com" with child-like drawing of a sun and boy and girl figures.
Description
Black cotton t-sirt with writing on back and front. Front: "Kaitlin's Lucky Stars / Walk to Cure Diabetes / myownstylepack.com" with child-like drawing of a sun and boy and girl figures. Printed on back: "Kaitlin's Lucky Stars / Walk to Cure Diabetes / myownstylepack.com / www.jdrf.org" Shirt worn by the donor who participated in the walk. See also the insulin pump pack (2017.0192.06) with the walk team's name "Kaitlin's Lucky Stars." Anvil brand name on neck tag.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
2005-2007
ID Number
2017.0192.08
accession number
2017.0192
catalog number
2017.0192.08
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 2001
maker
Medicine Shoppe International
ID Number
2001.0113.5
catalog number
2001.0113.5
accession number
2001.0113
Bifurcated needle for small pox immunization. The needle is used by dipping it into the vaccine and then pricking the skin repeatedly.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Bifurcated needle for small pox immunization. The needle is used by dipping it into the vaccine and then pricking the skin repeatedly.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 2007
maker
Becton, Dickinson and Company
ID Number
2007.0198.080
accession number
2007.0198
catalog number
2007.0198.080
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:To make hypertrophic scars appear less visibleCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
To make hypertrophic scars appear less visible
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 2002
maker
Beiersdorf, Inc.
ID Number
2002.0098.11
catalog number
2002.0098.11
accession number
2002.0098
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
2004
maker
Lilly ICOS, LLC.
ID Number
2015.3085.05
nonaccession number
2015.3085
catalog number
2015.3085.05
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 2004
maker
Kiehl's Since 1851
ID Number
2004.0274.03
accession number
2004.0274
catalog number
2004.0274.03
A packet of materials documenting Dr. Maurice Hilleman's contribution to the America's Millennium Celebration and Time Capsule Ceremony. The celebration was held in Washington, D.C. on December 31, 1999 - January 2, 2000. Dr.
Description (Brief)
A packet of materials documenting Dr. Maurice Hilleman's contribution to the America's Millennium Celebration and Time Capsule Ceremony. The celebration was held in Washington, D.C. on December 31, 1999 - January 2, 2000. Dr. Hilleman was invited to contribute an artifact to the capsule - the chosen artifact was intended to represent to future Americans the achievements and hopes of late 20th century America. Correspondence details Dr. Hilleman's belief that the "discovery of the cause for diseases and their prevention by vaccines" was a hallmark of the 20th century. For his selected artifact, Dr. Hilleman chose to propose and design a Lucite block holding six vials of different vaccines: MMR II, Varivax, Vaqta, Recombivax HB, Pneumovax 23, and PedvaxHIB. The top of the block was to be inscribed: "Six Vaccines of the Twentieth Century Which Averted Illness, Disability, and Death and Changed the Face of the World / Dr. Maurice R. Hilleman, December 1999". Other materials included in the packet include Dr. Hilleman's summary of the important impact that vaccines had on 20th century life, as well as the history that led up to the development of vaccines. The packet also includes ceremony programs and instructions, and Dr. Hilleman's speech that he gave at the ceremony.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1999 - 2000
ID Number
2017.3081.13
catalog number
2017.3081.13
nonaccession number
2017.3081
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 2007
maker
Becton, Dickinson and Company
ID Number
2007.0198.124
accession number
2007.0198
catalog number
2007.0198.124
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 2009
expiration date
2010-04-30
maker
Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Limited
ID Number
2010.0138.004
accession number
2010.0138
catalog number
2010.0138.004
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
2004
maker
Lilly ICOS, LLC.
ID Number
2015.3085.04
nonaccession number
2015.3085
catalog number
2015.3085.04
Disposable syringe used for small pox immunization. The syringe is split into two pieces, and must be assembled at the time of use.Currently not on view
Description
Disposable syringe used for small pox immunization. The syringe is split into two pieces, and must be assembled at the time of use.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 2007
maker
Becton, Dickinson and Company
ID Number
2007.0198.077
accession number
2007.0198
catalog number
2007.0198.077
Blood glucose monitoring kit prototype with packaging mock-up. White box with internal dividers and printed prototype front panel attached. Box has handwritten "At Last II" (twice) and "Natalie Roc" on it.
Description
Blood glucose monitoring kit prototype with packaging mock-up. White box with internal dividers and printed prototype front panel attached. Box has handwritten "At Last II" (twice) and "Natalie Roc" on it. Box contains one prototype blood glucose monitor, carrying case, a sealed box of At Last test strips, and a sealed box of At Last lancets. Blood glucose monitor is blue and gray plastic with handwritten "10.165" written on it four times. Carrying case is blue fabric with blue metal zipper and blue plastic closure. At Last test strips box is sealed and contents expire July 31, 2003.
Printed on box: No More Fingersticks.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
2001
maker
Amira Medical, Inc.
ID Number
2014.0140.03
accession number
2014.0140
catalog number
2014.0140.03
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 2000
maker
Becton, Dickinson and Company
ID Number
2002.0098.10
accession number
2002.0098
catalog number
2002.0098.10
Disposable syringe used for small pox immunization. The syringe is split into two pieces, and must be assembled at the time of use.Currently not on view
Description
Disposable syringe used for small pox immunization. The syringe is split into two pieces, and must be assembled at the time of use.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 2007
maker
Becton, Dickinson and Company
ID Number
2007.0198.078
accession number
2007.0198
catalog number
2007.0198.078
Inventors have developed products to reduce the risk of infection. Health care workers now routinely disable or dispose of used needles in secure "sharps" containers.Currently not on view
Description
Inventors have developed products to reduce the risk of infection. Health care workers now routinely disable or dispose of used needles in secure "sharps" containers.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca. 2007
ca 2007
maker
Becton, Dickinson and Company
ID Number
2007.0198.141
accession number
2007.0198
catalog number
2007.0198.141
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
2004
maker
Lilly ICOS, LLC.
ID Number
2015.3085.02
nonaccession number
2015.3085
catalog number
2015.3085.02

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