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.

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1906
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
1979.0798.055
catalog number
1979.0798.055
accession number
1979.0798
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For common colds, headache due to colds, and simple neuralgia. Gently move the bowels.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For common colds, headache due to colds, and simple neuralgia. Gently move the bowels.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1930 - 1950
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
1984.0351.093
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.093
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For nasal catarrh, cold in the head and inflammation of the nasal passages. Cleansing, antiseptic and germicidal.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For nasal catarrh, cold in the head and inflammation of the nasal passages. Cleansing, antiseptic and germicidal.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1920s
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
1984.0351.042
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.042
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For round wormsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For round worms
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1940
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
1984.0351.059
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.059
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Valuable for hoarseness, tickling sensation of the throat, and coughing, inflamed or irritated conditions of the mucous membranes of the throat resulting from colds, coughs, or sore throatCurrently not o
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Valuable for hoarseness, tickling sensation of the throat, and coughing, inflamed or irritated conditions of the mucous membranes of the throat resulting from colds, coughs, or sore throat
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1940
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
1984.0351.006
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.006
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For coughs, colds, croups, la grippe, whooping cough, and bronchitisCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For coughs, colds, croups, la grippe, whooping cough, and bronchitis
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1906-1908
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup18]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For all diseases of the throat, bronchial tubes and lungs, including pneumonia, bronchitis, coughs, colds, asthma, whooping cough, sore throat, difficult respiration, pains in the chest, night sweats and hemorr
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For all diseases of the throat, bronchial tubes and lungs, including pneumonia, bronchitis, coughs, colds, asthma, whooping cough, sore throat, difficult respiration, pains in the chest, night sweats and hemorrhages of the lungs
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1894-1906
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:To sooth nasal passagesCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
To sooth nasal passages
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1950
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1318
catalog number
293320.1318
accession number
293320
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For languid, listless, lifeless feeling. As a general constitutional remedy, and as a blood purifying tonic.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For languid, listless, lifeless feeling. As a general constitutional remedy, and as a blood purifying tonic. For inflammation of the mucous membranes of the throat, lungs or bronchial tubes, and for coughs and colds. For neuralgia or acute pains.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1900
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10426.68
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For your baby for diarrhea, dysentery, summer complaints, constipation, worms, convulsions, teething, wind colic, vomiting of sour curd, mal-assimilation of food, sour stomach, feverishness and want of sleepCur
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For your baby for diarrhea, dysentery, summer complaints, constipation, worms, convulsions, teething, wind colic, vomiting of sour curd, mal-assimilation of food, sour stomach, feverishness and want of sleep
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1908-1918
associated date
1906
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup9]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For coughs due to colds, also soothing for minor bronchial and throat irritations associated with common coldsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For coughs due to colds, also soothing for minor bronchial and throat irritations associated with common colds
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1940
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
1984.0351.007
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.007
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:A diuretic stimulant for the kidneys. Promotes the flow of urine. Intended to relieve sluggish flow of urine caused by non-functional disturbances.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
A diuretic stimulant for the kidneys. Promotes the flow of urine. Intended to relieve sluggish flow of urine caused by non-functional disturbances.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
1984.0351.001
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.001
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Tonic alterative and nutritive. Valuable preparation in case of malnutrition, loss of weight, nervousness, failing appetite, lack of energy, and run-down condition.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Tonic alterative and nutritive. Valuable preparation in case of malnutrition, loss of weight, nervousness, failing appetite, lack of energy, and run-down condition.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1920s-1930s
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
1984.0351.054
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.054
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For headache, colds, neuralgia, and gargleCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For headache, colds, neuralgia, and gargle
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
1984.0351.084
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.084
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:superficial burns; prickly heat; insect bites; sunburn; after shaving; vaginal doucheCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
superficial burns; prickly heat; insect bites; sunburn; after shaving; vaginal douche
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1906
maker
Frederick Stearns & Co.
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
1980.0698.071
accession number
1980.0698
catalog number
1980.0698.071
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A liquid counter-irritant.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A liquid counter-irritant. A practical preparation for minor sprains and bruises, superficial cuts, non-venomous insect stings, minor burns and muscular soreness of the limbs, side or back due to exertion or exposure. For Man or Beast. It is a practical preparation that can be used wherever a liniment is to be used. Stockmen will find it of value for use on strained muscles, swelling and superficial bruises of animals. Use it on non-venomous insect bites or stings.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1950
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
1979.0798.053
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.053
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For eradicating round wormsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For eradicating round worms
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1930
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
1979.0798.516
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.516
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging: To increase the reserve stock of iron and to improve nutrition. They are also a stomachic tonic and by their stimulating action improve the appetite and digestion in nervous dyspepsia.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging: To increase the reserve stock of iron and to improve nutrition. They are also a stomachic tonic and by their stimulating action improve the appetite and digestion in nervous dyspepsia.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1935
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
1980.0698.052
accession number
1980.0698
catalog number
1980.0698.052
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A diuretic stimulant for the kidneys to promote the flow of urine, combined with analgesic (pain relieving) action.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A diuretic stimulant for the kidneys to promote the flow of urine, combined with analgesic (pain relieving) action. Aids in alleviating muscular aches and pains, restlessness, dizziness, backache, headache, getting up at nights, loss of energy if caused by sluggish kidneys.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1940
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
1979.0798.527
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.527
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Stimulating expectorant for coughs due to colds and soothing for minor bronchial and throat irritations caused by colds.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Stimulating expectorant for coughs due to colds and soothing for minor bronchial and throat irritations caused by colds.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1940
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
1979.0798.081
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.081
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging: A laxative and catharticCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging: A laxative and cathartic
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1915
ca 1920
Associated Name
Tupper's Pharmacy
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
1980.0698.037
accession number
1980.0698
catalog number
1980.0698.037
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For acid stomach. A neutralizing agent and corrective for hyperacidity of the stomach.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For acid stomach. A neutralizing agent and corrective for hyperacidity of the stomach. Anti-acid (hyperacidity), sour stomach, acid eruptions, flatulence, gastric distress, due to excess gas.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1930
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
1979.0798.303.1
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.303.1
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For dyspepsia and indigestion.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For dyspepsia and indigestion. A scientific preparation containing pancreatine, pepsin and other well known ingredients skillfully combined for indigestion, heartburn, flatulence, sour-stomach, nausea, sick headache, gastralgia.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1906-1908
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
1979.0798.087
catalog number
1979.0798.087
accession number
1979.0798
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: DeWitt's Cocomint Laxatives will prove a very pleasant and efficient laxative when used for occasional constipation.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: DeWitt's Cocomint Laxatives will prove a very pleasant and efficient laxative when used for occasional constipation.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1940
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
1979.0798.315
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.315

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