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
ID Number
1979.0798.461
catalog number
1979.0798.461
accession number
1979.0798
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1979.0798.460
catalog number
1979.0798.460
accession number
1979.0798
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer, or as found in contemporary medical literature, are:For use as an addition to tonic mixtures, infusions, etc., and especially for modifying the taste of solutions of quinine.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer, or as found in contemporary medical literature, are:
For use as an addition to tonic mixtures, infusions, etc., and especially for modifying the taste of solutions of quinine. [The National Dispensatory, 5th Edition, 1896]
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1889-1901
maker
Whitall Tatum Company
ID Number
1984.0782.336
accession number
1984.0782
catalog number
1984.0782.336
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer, or as found in contemporary medical literature, are:For use as a nervous system stimulant, local rubefacient and stimulant, used with more powerful medicines to promote parturition [childbirth], and to chec
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 nervous system stimulant, local rubefacient and stimulant, used with more powerful medicines to promote parturition [childbirth], and to check uterine hemorrhage after labor and during menstruation. The water and the oil of cinnamon are used to impart an agreeable flavor to medicines, and the former is associated with astringents in the treatment of diarrhea. [The National Dispensatory, 5th Edition, 1896]
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1862-1867
maker
W. N. Walton
ID Number
MG.285854.124
catalog number
285854.124
accession number
285854
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer, or as found in contemporary medical literature, are:For use as a cerebral stimulant [Remington's Practice of Pharmacy, Seventh Edition, 1926]Currently not on view
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 cerebral stimulant [Remington's Practice of Pharmacy, Seventh Edition, 1926]
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1913-1920
maker
Mallinckrodt Chemical Works
ID Number
MG.M-10739
catalog number
M-10739
accession number
256193
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer, or as found in contemporary medical literature, are:The action and uses of nux vomica are identical in kind with those of strychnine [used for paralysis, as an ecbolic [labor inducer], prolapsus of the rect
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer, or as found in contemporary medical literature, are:
The action and uses of nux vomica are identical in kind with those of strychnine [used for paralysis, as an ecbolic [labor inducer], prolapsus of the rectum, retention or incontinence of urine, sexual impotence, abortion, postpartum hemorrhage, saccharine diabetes, night-sweats in phthisis]. It may be mentioned in this place, however, that the action of nux vomica is too variable to render it eligible as a medicine. [The National Dispensatory, 5th Edition, 1896]
Glass bottle with "PATD SEPT 23D, 1862, W. N. WALTON" embossed on the bottom.
Ref: William N. Walton, “Improvement in Attaching Labels to Bottles,” U.S. Patent 36,542 (Sept. 23, 1862).
Ref: George Griffenhagen and Mary Bogard, History of Drug Containers and Their Labels (Madison, Wi., 1999), pp. 63-65.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1862-1867
maker
W. N. Walton
ID Number
MG.M-03932.01
catalog number
M-03932.01
accession number
134457
This free blown green glass container has a long neck, a slightly flared lip, a round squat body, and a twisted spout. Florentine bottles were used for the distillation of flower oils.Currently not on view
Description
This free blown green glass container has a long neck, a slightly flared lip, a round squat body, and a twisted spout. Florentine bottles were used for the distillation of flower oils.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
17th-18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0935
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-06331
collector/donor number
SAP 1023
catalog number
1991.0664.0935
This blown and molded bottle has a narrow neck for pouring liquids. It's baked enamel label is framed by a Baroque style blue and yellow cartouche, and is marked AQ CARBUNC. The bottle would have contained Aqua Carbunclus.
Description
This blown and molded bottle has a narrow neck for pouring liquids. It's baked enamel label is framed by a Baroque style blue and yellow cartouche, and is marked AQ CARBUNC. The bottle would have contained Aqua Carbunclus. Carbunclus is Latin for coal, and this solution was likely a mixture of water and coal, or another form of carbon.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0278
catalog number
M-05427
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 136
catalog number
1991.0664.0278
This glass bottle has a baked enamel label marked TINCT MART APERIY ZW. The European Apothecary Collection contains dozens of drug jars with this same embellishment.
Description
This glass bottle has a baked enamel label marked TINCT MART APERIY ZW. The European Apothecary Collection contains dozens of drug jars with this same embellishment. The generic blue and yellow decoration with its stylized crown above the cartouche is similar to glass drug jars in the collection of the Deutsche Apotheken Museum in Heidelberg, Germany.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0249
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05397
collector/donor number
SAP 106
catalog number
1991.0664.0249
This free blown green glass container has a long neck, a slightly flared lip, a round squat body, and a twisted spout. Florentine bottles were used for the distillation of flower oils.Currently not on view
Description
This free blown green glass container has a long neck, a slightly flared lip, a round squat body, and a twisted spout. Florentine bottles were used for the distillation of flower oils.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
17th-18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0939
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-06335
collector/donor number
SAP 1027
catalog number
1991.0664.0939
This blown and molded square–shaped bottle has a baked enamel white oval cartouche that is outlined with blue vines, red and yellow flowers, and a three-pointed crown.
Description
This blown and molded square–shaped bottle has a baked enamel white oval cartouche that is outlined with blue vines, red and yellow flowers, and a three-pointed crown. The cartouche is marked ESS LIGNOR", and the Roman numeral "V" is etched into the bottle above the center of the crown. The jar would have contained Essentia Lignorum, or essence of wood. Essentia Lignorum was used to cure “foulness of the blood.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
17th-18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0382
catalog number
M-05531
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 243
catalog number
1991.0664.0382
This blown and molded square-shaped bottle has a narrow neck and a flared lip. The baked white enamel shield is framed by stylized blue leaves with red and yellow flowers. A yellow crown sits on the top of the shield.
Description
This blown and molded square-shaped bottle has a narrow neck and a flared lip. The baked white enamel shield is framed by stylized blue leaves with red and yellow flowers. A yellow crown sits on the top of the shield. The alchemical symbols for spirits, salt and herbs are marked in black just above ANIS. which would have referred to the plant anise hyssop steeped in an alcohol solution with the ash of plant mixed into the solution. The solution would have been used as an expectorant or antiseptic.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
17th-18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0389
catalog number
M-05538
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 250
catalog number
1991.0664.0389
This blown and molded bottle has a label which reads ESS AMARA HALL in black text, with the first initial of each word in red. The bottle would have contained Essence of amara Hallensis.
Description
This blown and molded bottle has a label which reads ESS AMARA HALL in black text, with the first initial of each word in red. The bottle would have contained Essence of amara Hallensis. Essence of amara Hallensis was also known as a tincture of absinthii kalina, which was composed of a tincture of absinthe, amarae, aromaticae, and liquid potassium carbonate. It was most commonly prescribed as a stomachic.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0275
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05424
collector/donor number
SAP 133
catalog number
1991.0664.0275
This blown and molded square-shaped bottle has a narrow neck and a flared lip. The baked white enamel shield is framed by stylized blue leaves with red flowers. A yellow crown sits on the top of the shield. The alchemical symbol for spirits is above the word CAMPHOR.
Description
This blown and molded square-shaped bottle has a narrow neck and a flared lip. The baked white enamel shield is framed by stylized blue leaves with red flowers. A yellow crown sits on the top of the shield. The alchemical symbol for spirits is above the word CAMPHOR. Camphor was often used as an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and diuretic. It is a gummy, aromatic substance obtained from the Camphor Laurel or cinnamomum camphora found in China, Japan, and Taiwan. Externally Camphor was applied to the skin as a liniment.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0356
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 217
catalog number
1991.0664.0356
M-05505
This blown and molded glass bottle with stopper has a baked enamel label marked, OL RUTAE. Oil of Rutae is made from the herb Ruta graveolens more commonly known as Rue.
Description
This blown and molded glass bottle with stopper has a baked enamel label marked, OL RUTAE. Oil of Rutae is made from the herb Ruta graveolens more commonly known as Rue. The leaves of the herb are distilled in alcohol and used as a stimulant, an antispasmodic, for convulsions and hysteria, and as an abortifacient, to induce a miscarriage.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
17th-18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0466
catalog number
M-05615
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 327
catalog number
1991.0664.0466
A painted floral garland with a red bow on top and a blue bow at the bottom decorates this white apothecary bottle. The inside of the garland is marked, “ELIX/IUNIPER.” This jar would have contained an Elixir of Juniper, made from juniper berries.
Description
A painted floral garland with a red bow on top and a blue bow at the bottom decorates this white apothecary bottle. The inside of the garland is marked, “ELIX/IUNIPER.” This jar would have contained an Elixir of Juniper, made from juniper berries. The elixir was used as a carminative, tonic, and diuretic.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th-19th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0865
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05635
collector/donor number
SAP 347
catalog number
1991.0664.0865
This blown and molded bottle is marked ELIX UTERIN CR. The bottle would have contained an elixir of uterinum, which was a compound of sabin, castor, and myrrh that was used to stimulate menses.Currently not on view
Description
This blown and molded bottle is marked ELIX UTERIN CR. The bottle would have contained an elixir of uterinum, which was a compound of sabin, castor, and myrrh that was used to stimulate menses.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0307
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05456
collector/donor number
SAP 165
catalog number
1991.0664.0307
This blown and molded square–shaped bottle has a white baked enamel oval cartouche that is outlined with blue vines, red and yellow flowers and a three-pointed crown. The cartouche is marked ANIS beneath the alchemical symbols for spirits, salt, and herb.
Description
This blown and molded square–shaped bottle has a white baked enamel oval cartouche that is outlined with blue vines, red and yellow flowers and a three-pointed crown. The cartouche is marked ANIS beneath the alchemical symbols for spirits, salt, and herb. The jar would have contained a concoction using the anise plant, which was noted for its use as a tonic, or a pectoral (for chest and lung relief), or to relieve flatulence.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
17th-18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0384
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05533
collector/donor number
SAP 245
catalog number
1991.0664.0384.01
1991.0664.0384.02
This blown and molded bottle has a baked enamel which reads BALS VITAE HOFFM.
Description
This blown and molded bottle has a baked enamel which reads BALS VITAE HOFFM. The bottle would have contained Hoffman’s Balsam of Life, a tincture from the balsam of Peru (myroxylon pereirae) and other aromatics synthesized by the German physician Friedrich Hoffman during the 18th century. The Balsam of Life would have been used as a liniment for treating wounds.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0273
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05422
collector/donor number
SAP 131
catalog number
1991.0664.0273
This blown and molded round glass bottle has a narrow neck with a wide flared lip and a rounded glass stopper. The white baked enamel label is outlined in blue, terminating with a blue bow and a yellow crown. The label is marked OL MAIOR in black.
Description
This blown and molded round glass bottle has a narrow neck with a wide flared lip and a rounded glass stopper. The white baked enamel label is outlined in blue, terminating with a blue bow and a yellow crown. The label is marked OL MAIOR in black. In Latin, the letter I was often used instead of a J as seen on the bottle. The bottle would have contained an oil of majorana, made from the leaves of the majoram tree. The oil was prescribed as a tonic, cephalic as a possible cure for headache, and expectorant.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0438
catalog number
M-05587
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 299
catalog number
1991.0664.0438.01
1991.0664.0438.02
This blown and molded glass jar has a baked enamel label surrounded by a gold escutcheon topped by a gold crown. The label is marked with the alchemical symbols for Mercury and Precipitate and RUBR.
Description
This blown and molded glass jar has a baked enamel label surrounded by a gold escutcheon topped by a gold crown. The label is marked with the alchemical symbols for Mercury and Precipitate and RUBR. The jar would have contained red mercuric oxide, which was used as an escharotic, a salve to kill tissue and remove dead skin cells.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1991.0664.0463
catalog number
M-05612
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 324
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
1991.0664.0463
This blown and molded square glass bottle has a flared lip and a baked enamel cartouche with a white shield which is framed by blue stylized leaves and yellow ribbon and capped by a crown. It is marked TR. RHE. APU.Currently not on view
Description
This blown and molded square glass bottle has a flared lip and a baked enamel cartouche with a white shield which is framed by blue stylized leaves and yellow ribbon and capped by a crown. It is marked TR. RHE. APU.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0179
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05327
1991.0664.0179
collector/donor number
SAP 36
This blown and molded glass jar has a baked enamel label marked, TR THEBUIC. The jar would have contained tincture of thebaica. The tincture was made by letting opium steep in two pints of alcohol.
Description
This blown and molded glass jar has a baked enamel label marked, TR THEBUIC. The jar would have contained tincture of thebaica. The tincture was made by letting opium steep in two pints of alcohol. The resulting tincture was used as a sedative, a narcotic, an antitussive, or an antidiarrheal.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1991.0664.0462
catalog number
M-05611
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 323
catalog number
1991.0664.0462
This blown and molded bottle is marked ESS PINI, and would have contained the Essence of Pine.
Description
This blown and molded bottle is marked ESS PINI, and would have contained the Essence of Pine. Pini would have referred to a variety of different evergreen pine trees whose sap or distilled leaves would have been used as a diuretic, diaphoretic, detergent, or cathartic.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0311
catalog number
M-05460
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 169
catalog number
1991.0664.0311

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.