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
ca 1938
maker
Parke, Davis and Company
ID Number
MG.M-04678.03
catalog number
M-04678.03
accession number
147292
The pharmaceutical firm, Parke, Davis & Company of Detroit, Michigan, began selling culture media for bacteriological work beginning about 1897.
Description
The pharmaceutical firm, Parke, Davis & Company of Detroit, Michigan, began selling culture media for bacteriological work beginning about 1897. This box of fifty glass culture media tubes was intended for use by universities, medical colleges, boards of health, and hospitals.The set includes samples of eight different culture media: Nutrient Gelatin, Glucose Gelatin, Litmus Gelatin, Nutrient Agar, Glycerin Agar, Glucose Agar, Blood Serum according to Dr. Koch, Blood Serum - Loeffler's mixture for diptheria, and several empty tubes. The box also includes tubes containing a sterilzed cotton swab used for making throat cultures to diagnose diphtheria. All of the tubes were sterilized, plugged with cotton and rubber-capped. A box of fifty tubes cost $2.50 in 1897. This specimen was given to the Smithsonian in 1898 by the company. (See objects MG.142336.02 through MG.142336.12 for examples of the individual tubes.)
reference: Parke, Davis & Co. Price List, 1897, pp.108, 180.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1898
maker
Parke, Davis and Company
ID Number
MG.142336.01
catalog number
142336.01
accession number
33542
Hypodermic syringe with steel case and needle designed by Charles Joseph Tagliabue in New York, and probably produced by the C. J. Tagliabue Mfg. Co. One inscription reads “PARKE DAVIS & CO. / PAT AUG 25 1885.” Another reads “PARKE, DAVIS & CO. / DETROIT, MICH.”Ref: Charles J.
Description
Hypodermic syringe with steel case and needle designed by Charles Joseph Tagliabue in New York, and probably produced by the C. J. Tagliabue Mfg. Co. One inscription reads “PARKE DAVIS & CO. / PAT AUG 25 1885.” Another reads “PARKE, DAVIS & CO. / DETROIT, MICH.”
Ref: Charles J. Tagliabue, “Syringe,” U.S. Patent 325,132 (Aug. 25, 1885).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1898
maker
Parke, Davis and Company
Tagliabue, Charles J.
ID Number
MG.302606.230
accession number
302606
catalog number
302606.230
According to 1940 product literature supplied by Parke, Davis & Company:"The name 'I'mmunogen' identifies the specific antigenic substances obtained from he surface or ectoplasm of bacterial cells.
Description
According to 1940 product literature supplied by Parke, Davis & Company:
"The name 'I'mmunogen' identifies the specific antigenic substances obtained from he surface or ectoplasm of bacterial cells. This type of antigen has been designated as 'ecto-antigen'"'
"The power of Immunogens to stimulate the production of immune bodies is high and compares favorably with that of other specific antigen used for similar purposes. / Immunogens are indicated when stimulation of the natural defense mechanism of immunity is desirable in the prophylaxis or treatment of acute and chronic infections."
"Immunogens are administered by injection. Intracutaneous, subcutaneous, and intramuscular routes are used most commonly; Immunogens may be given intravenously in small doses if desired. Subcutaneous injection is usually followed by more local reaction than intramuscular."
"Clinical Indications: Immunogens are applicable in the same class of cases as bacterial vaccines - for specific immunization. Both are antigenic - capable of stimulating the production of antibodies; and both are specific, the bacteriology of the infection under treatment pointing to the proper vaccine or Immunogen to be used. / The advantage of Immunogens lies, not in greater specificity, but in greater freedom from nonessential and possibly irritating elements. They contain comparatively little protein. Therefore, they can often be used with good effect in acute infections where vaccines would be less desirable."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1937
expiration date
1937-03-01
maker
Parke, Davis and Company
ID Number
MG.M-04671
catalog number
M-04671
accession number
147292
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950s
maker
Parke, Davis and Company
ID Number
1982.0043.014B
accession number
1982.0043
catalog number
1982.0043.014B
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 1975
expiration date
1975-04-30
maker
Parke, Davis and Company
ID Number
1982.0043.007A
catalog number
1982.0043.007A
accession number
1982.0043
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
1898
maker
Parke, Davis and Company
ID Number
MG.142327.05
catalog number
142327.05
accession number
33542
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1938
expiration date
1938-12-01
maker
Parke, Davis and Company
ID Number
MG.M-04668
catalog number
M-04668
accession number
147292
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:An antibacterial serum obtained from horses immunized with suspensions of live influenza baccilli isolated from fatal cases of influenzal meningitis.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
An antibacterial serum obtained from horses immunized with suspensions of live influenza baccilli isolated from fatal cases of influenzal meningitis. Used in treatment of cerebrospinal meningitis caused by the influenza bacillus. Dose -- 30cc injected intraspinally, intracisternally, orintravenously.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1939
maker
Parke, Davis and Company
ID Number
MG.M-04858
accession number
154611
catalog number
M-04858
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Parke, Davis and Company
ID Number
1978.0882.91
accession number
1978.0882
catalog number
1978.0882.91
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Parke, Davis and Company
ID Number
1978.0882.93
catalog number
1978.0882.93
accession number
1978.0882
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
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1938
maker
Parke, Davis and Company
ID Number
MG.M-04674
accession number
147292
catalog number
M-04674
serial number
035379-C
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1898
maker
Parke, Davis and Company
ID Number
MG.142327.04
catalog number
142327.04
accession number
33542
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Parke, Davis and Company
ID Number
1978.0882.61
accession number
1978.0882
catalog number
1978.0882.61
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1959-02
maker
Parke, Davis and Company
ID Number
1982.0043.012A
accession number
1982.0043
catalog number
1982.0043.012A
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1941
maker
Parke, Davis and Company
ID Number
MG.M-04985
catalog number
M-04985
accession number
160403
The “Euthymol / TOOTH / POWDER / PARKE, DAVIS & CO. / DETROIT, MICHIGAN / U.S.A.” label refers to a product that was on the market by 1894. The name probably references the two major ingredients: eucalyptus oil and thymol (an oil of thyme).Currently not on view
Description
The “Euthymol / TOOTH / POWDER / PARKE, DAVIS & CO. / DETROIT, MICHIGAN / U.S.A.” label refers to a product that was on the market by 1894. The name probably references the two major ingredients: eucalyptus oil and thymol (an oil of thyme).
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Parke, Davis and Company
ID Number
MG.293320.0999
catalog number
293320.0999
accession number
293320
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1898
maker
Parke, Davis and Company
ID Number
MG.142336.11
catalog number
142336.11
accession number
033542
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1938
maker
Parke, Davis and Company
ID Number
MG.M-04859
catalog number
M-04859
accession number
154611
According to 1940 product literature supplied by Parke, Davis & Company:Immune Globulin (Human) is a sterile, refined and concentrated globulin obtained from human placental blood and tissues.Indications: Prevention and modification of measles in susceptible contacts.
Description
According to 1940 product literature supplied by Parke, Davis & Company:
Immune Globulin (Human) is a sterile, refined and concentrated globulin obtained from human placental blood and tissues.
Indications: Prevention and modification of measles in susceptible contacts. May also be used therapeutically in early stages of the disease.
Dosage: Children under five years exposed less than five days, 2 cc.; more than five days, 4 cc. Children over five years exposed less than 5 days, 4 cc.; more than five days, 4-10 cc. depending on age. Injections should be made intramuscularly. / Packages: Immune Globulin (Human) is supplied in vials of 2 cc. (Bio. 109) and 10 cc. (Bio. 119).
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Parke, Davis and Company
ID Number
1978.0882.58
accession number
1978.0882
catalog number
1978.0882.58
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1938
maker
Parke, Davis and Company
ID Number
MG.M-04681
catalog number
M-04681
accession number
147292

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