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
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
McKesson and Robbins
ID Number
1984.0351.155
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.155
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1940-1949
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Lorr Laboratories
ID Number
1984.0351.321
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.321
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1950s
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Colgate-Palmolive Company
ID Number
1984.0351.253.02
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.253.02
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer, or as found in contemporary medical literature, are:For use as a cardiac tonic and stimulant, slowing and strengthening the heart beat [Remington's Practice of Pharmacy, Seventh Edition, 1926]Currently not
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer, or as found in contemporary medical literature, are:
For use as a cardiac tonic and stimulant, slowing and strengthening the heart beat [Remington's Practice of Pharmacy, Seventh Edition, 1926]
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-1938
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Wm. S. Merrell Company
ID Number
1984.0351.190
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.190
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1910
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Bauer & Black
ID Number
1984.0351.292
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.292
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Richard Hudnut
ID Number
1984.0351.322
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.322
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
collection
Reid Drugstore
ID Number
1984.0351.319
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.319
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Lady Esther Ltd.
ID Number
1984.0351.328
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.328
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Homemaker's Products
ID Number
1984.0351.157
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.157
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Chicago Pharmacal
ID Number
1984.0351.045
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.045
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1930s
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Abbott Laboratories
ID Number
1984.0351.242
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.242
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Abbott Laboratories
ID Number
1984.0351.061
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.061
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1928-1953
ca 1940s
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Colgate-Palmolive-Peet Company
ID Number
1984.0351.326
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.326
Glass bottle with paper label that reads “NET WT. 6 OUNCES / DR. WEST’S / BRAND / Vray / FOR THE TEETH / SHAKE SHARPLY / Before Using First Time / WECO PRODUCTS CO. CHICAGO, U.S.A.
Description
Glass bottle with paper label that reads “NET WT. 6 OUNCES / DR. WEST’S / BRAND / Vray / FOR THE TEETH / SHAKE SHARPLY / Before Using First Time / WECO PRODUCTS CO. CHICAGO, U.S.A. / PRINTED IN U.S.A.” This product, which was “not a paste, powder, or liquid, but an emulsion,” was on the market by 1941.
Location
Currently not on view
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Weco Products co.
ID Number
1984.0351.141
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.141
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Abbott Laboratories
ID Number
1984.0351.154
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.154
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Cleanses, soothes, and refreshes the eyes. Cleans eyes of dust, smoke, dirt, and other irritants.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Cleanses, soothes, and refreshes the eyes. Cleans eyes of dust, smoke, dirt, and other irritants.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1951
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Murine Company, Inc.
ID Number
1984.0351.031
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.031
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Gillette Company
ID Number
1984.0351.323
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.323
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:A treatment for the liquor and tobacco habit.Directions: A teaspoonful should be given 3 times a day at meal time until the patient quits drinking or the use of tobacco in every form.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
A treatment for the liquor and tobacco habit.
Directions: A teaspoonful should be given 3 times a day at meal time until the patient quits drinking or the use of tobacco in every form. 1/2 to 1/4 teaspoonful at a dose if under 18 years.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1908-1918
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Varlex Mfg. Co.
ID Number
1984.0351.128
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.128
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Gives relief in dropsical effusions whether caused by heart, liver or kidney diseaseCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Gives relief in dropsical effusions whether caused by heart, liver or kidney disease
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1903
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Anasarcin Chemical Company
ID Number
1984.0351.024
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.024
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Coty
ID Number
1984.0351.327
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.327
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Toni Company
ID Number
1984.0351.320
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.320
Glass bottle with paper label that reads “NET WT. 6 OUNCES / DR. WEST’S / BRAND / Vray / FOR THE TEETH / SHAKE SHARPLY / Before Using First Time / WECO PRODUCTS CO. CHICAGO, U.S.A.
Description
Glass bottle with paper label that reads “NET WT. 6 OUNCES / DR. WEST’S / BRAND / Vray / FOR THE TEETH / SHAKE SHARPLY / Before Using First Time / WECO PRODUCTS CO. CHICAGO, U.S.A. / PRINTED IN U.S.A.” This product, which was “not a paste, powder, or liquid, but an emulsion,” was on the market by 1941.
Location
Currently not on view
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Weco Products co.
ID Number
1984.0351.140
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.140
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
McKesson and Robbins
ID Number
1984.0351.159
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.159
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Procter & Gamble Company
ID Number
1984.0351.324
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.324

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