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.

A glucometer measures blood glucose. The first example was made by the Ames division of Miles Laboratories and introduced to the market in 1981.
Description
A glucometer measures blood glucose. The first example was made by the Ames division of Miles Laboratories and introduced to the market in 1981. It was developed by Anton Hubert Clemens, a German engineer who began working for this firm in 1965, and obtained several related patents. This example is a Model 5550. An inscription reads “AMES DIVISION MILES LABORATORIES INC., P.O. BOX 70, ELKHART, INDIANA 46515.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1986
maker
Miles Laboratories
ID Number
2001.0031.01
catalog number
2001.0031.01
accession number
2001.0031
Double-sided comb made of ivory, suitable for use on an infant or for removing lice nits. Pratt, Read & Company, the donor, was established in Ivoryton, Ct., in 1798, and produced beads, buttons, and billiard balls from elephant tusks imported from Africa.Currently not on view
Description
Double-sided comb made of ivory, suitable for use on an infant or for removing lice nits. Pratt, Read & Company, the donor, was established in Ivoryton, Ct., in 1798, and produced beads, buttons, and billiard balls from elephant tusks imported from Africa.
Location
Currently not on view
associated dates
1989-01-24
ID Number
1989.0124.02
catalog number
1989.0124.02
accession number
1989.0124
Double-sided comb made of ivory, suitable for use on an infant or for removing lice nits. Pratt, Read & Company, the donor, was established in Ivoryton, Ct., in 1798, and produced beads, buttons, and billiard balls from elephant tusks imported from Africa.Currently not on view
Description
Double-sided comb made of ivory, suitable for use on an infant or for removing lice nits. Pratt, Read & Company, the donor, was established in Ivoryton, Ct., in 1798, and produced beads, buttons, and billiard balls from elephant tusks imported from Africa.
Location
Currently not on view
associated date
1989-01-24
ID Number
1989.0124.01
catalog number
1989.0124.01
accession number
1989.0124
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1988
expiration date
1989-01-11
maker
Sclavo Inc.
ID Number
1988.0736.12
accession number
1988.0736
catalog number
1988.0736.12
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1982
maker
Plus Products
ID Number
1983.0082.12
catalog number
1983.0082.12
accession number
1983.0082
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1977
expiration date
1980-01-17
ID Number
2017.0193.07
catalog number
2017.0193.07
accession number
2017.0193
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1966 - 1980
ID Number
1985.3109.065
nonaccession number
1985.3109
catalog number
1985.3109.065
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1966 - 1980
ID Number
1985.3109.068
catalog number
1985.3109.068
nonaccession number
1985.3109
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1966 - 1980
ID Number
1985.3109.058
nonaccession number
1985. 3109
catalog number
1985.3109.058
Black and white plastic blood glucose monitor with silver and blue brand name on front. manufacturer's label on the back with serial number: 14313. Monitor cover flips open to reveal LCD display screen and two buttons (TIMES / TEST).Currently not on view
Description
Black and white plastic blood glucose monitor with silver and blue brand name on front. manufacturer's label on the back with serial number: 14313. Monitor cover flips open to reveal LCD display screen and two buttons (TIMES / TEST).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1986
maker
Clinitron Bio-medical Instruments
ID Number
2014.0140.11
accession number
2014.0140
catalog number
2014.0140.11
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1982
maker
Plus Products
ID Number
1983.0082.13
catalog number
1983.0082.13
accession number
1983.0082
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1966 - 1980
ID Number
1985.3109.051
nonaccession number
1985.3109
catalog number
1985.3109.051
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1966 - 1980
ID Number
1985.3109.044
nonaccession number
1985.3109
catalog number
1985.3109.044
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1975-1980
product line launched (Ambush)
1955
maker
Dana Perfume Corporation
ID Number
2009.3030.22
catalog number
2009.3030.22
nonaccession number
2009.3030
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1980
maker
Kiehl Pharmacy Inc.
ID Number
1981.0589.045
accession number
1981.0589
catalog number
1981.0589.045
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1984
product expiration date
1986-02
maker
Ames
Miles Laboratories, Inc.
ID Number
1985.0178.01
catalog number
1985.0178.01
accession number
1985.0178
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1982
maker
Eli Lilly and Company
ID Number
1982.0153.23
accession number
1982.0153
catalog number
1982.0153.23
A glucose meter (or glucometer) determines the amount of glucose in a sample of blood. An inscription on the front of this example reads “Accu-Chek bG / Blood Glucose Monitor.”Currently not on view
Description
A glucose meter (or glucometer) determines the amount of glucose in a sample of blood. An inscription on the front of this example reads “Accu-Chek bG / Blood Glucose Monitor.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1985
maker
Boehringer Mannheim Diagnostics, Inc.
ID Number
1986.0001.01
accession number
1986.0001
catalog number
1986.0001.01
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
associated dates
1989-01-24
ID Number
1989.0124.03
catalog number
1989.0124.03
accession number
1989.0124
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1966 - 1980
ID Number
1985.3109.059
nonaccession number
1985.3109
catalog number
1985.3109.059
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1936-1940
product relaunch
1989
product launch
1934
maker
Elizabeth Arden Inc.
ID Number
2009.0098.01
accession number
2009.0098
catalog number
2009.0098.01
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1966 - 1980
ID Number
1985.3109.040
nonaccession number
1985.3109
catalog number
1985.3109.040
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1984
product expiration date
1984-10-04
maker
Connaught Laboratories Limited
ID Number
2012.0165.809
catalog number
2012.0165.809
accession number
2012.0165
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1982
maker
Guerlain
ID Number
2009.3030.40
nonaccession number
2009.3030
catalog number
2009.3030.40

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.