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.

Pink metal powder tin with dark pink and blue print label and decorative gold and white border. "For Cleansing the Skin and Removing Superficial Blackheads." Net weight 4 ozs.; price $1.00.
Description
Pink metal powder tin with dark pink and blue print label and decorative gold and white border. "For Cleansing the Skin and Removing Superficial Blackheads." Net weight 4 ozs.; price $1.00. Directions for use on the back label: "Firm but gentle meal-like cleanser that sloughs off parched and lifeless cuticle . . . gives your skin radiant beauty. Cleanse with Cleansing Cream, Skin Freshener, Mix teaspoonful Special Cleansing Preparation with water to make thin paste. Apply paste with massage, covering neck and face completely, except area around eyes. Let dry, rub off with dry washcloth, concentrating on affected (blackhead) areas. Follow treatment for 7 days. For daily use, to replace soap and water, use dry on wet cloth. A hypo-allergenic product used in the Dubarry Success School."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 1950s
maker
Richard Hudnut
ID Number
1985.0481.272
catalog number
1985.0481.272
accession number
1985.0481
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1930s
maker
Richard Hudnut
ID Number
1985.0481.270
catalog number
1985.0481.270
accession number
1985.0481
Round glass bottle with ribbing round top and bottom. Black plastic screw on cap. Black and silver-colored paper labels. 8 fl. ozs.; price $1.00. Label on back of bottle has directions, product information and ingredients.
Description
Round glass bottle with ribbing round top and bottom. Black plastic screw on cap. Black and silver-colored paper labels. 8 fl. ozs.; price $1.00. Label on back of bottle has directions, product information and ingredients. Bottle is full of brown liquid.
Indictions/Use from product label: Apply generously to scalp each day. Rub in briskly for extra stimulation. Removes loose dandruff. Imparts healthy sheen to hair. Banishes unpleasant scalp odor. Tends to prevent scalp disturbances created by fungi and bacteria. An excellent hair dressing. For unruly hair use Richard Hudnut Hair Dressing Cream also.
Hudnut Formula A-10 for Men was introduced in 1950. Advertisements claimed it was developed by an "eminent dermatologist." The product remained on the market until about 1962.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1950s
maker
Richard Hudnut
ID Number
1985.0481.284
catalog number
1985.0481.284
accession number
1985.0481
Inscriptions on the handle of this toothbrush read “The Pygmalion” and “WARRANTED SECURE” and “FRANCE.”Currently not on view
Description
Inscriptions on the handle of this toothbrush read “The Pygmalion” and “WARRANTED SECURE” and “FRANCE.”
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
MG.M-10562
catalog number
M-10562
accession number
253101
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
product launch date
1932
maker
Richard Hudnut
ID Number
1979.0798.204
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.204
In 1884, Charles Chamberland (1851-1908), a microbiologist working with Louis Pasteur in Paris, designed a filter that could remove bacteria from water. The inscriptions on this example read "F. Societe du Filtre Chamberland Systeme Pasteur. H. B.
Description
In 1884, Charles Chamberland (1851-1908), a microbiologist working with Louis Pasteur in Paris, designed a filter that could remove bacteria from water. The inscriptions on this example read "F. Societe du Filtre Chamberland Systeme Pasteur. H. B. & Cie / 58 Rue Notre-Dame-de-Lorette Paris Choisy-le-Roi" and "Made in France / Controle."
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1884
maker
H.B. & Cie.
Hautin, Boulenger and Company
ID Number
MG.M-02833
catalog number
M-02833
accession number
109831
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1955-1960
maker
Guerlain
ID Number
2009.3030.37
catalog number
2009.3030.37
nonaccession number
2009.3030
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1965
product launch date (Derringer spray)
1963
product line launched (Fleur de Rocailles)
1933
maker
Caron
ID Number
2009.3030.31
nonaccession number
2009.3030
catalog number
2009.3030.31
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920
product expiration date (Blackleg Vaccine)
1922-02-18
maker
Pasteur Institute of America
ID Number
MG.293320.0792
catalog number
293320.0792
accession number
293320
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1922
product expiration date
1922-02-28
maker
Pasteur Institute of America
ID Number
MG.293320.0790
catalog number
293320.0790
accession number
293320
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920
maker
Richard Hudnut
ID Number
1984.0782.353
catalog number
1984.0782.353
accession number
1984.0782
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Houbigant
ID Number
1985.0481.364
accession number
1985.0481
catalog number
1985.0481.364
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Richard Hudnut
ID Number
1984.0782.355
catalog number
1984.0782.355
accession number
1984.0782
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Bourjois, Inc.
ID Number
1979.0798.259
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.259
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Bourjois, Inc.
ID Number
1979.0798.265
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.265
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1975
maker
Nina Ricci
ID Number
2009.3030.26
nonaccession number
2009.3030
catalog number
2009.3030.26
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1955
maker
Revlon
ID Number
2009.0098.03
accession number
2009.0098
catalog number
2009.0098.03
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Bourjois, Inc.
ID Number
1979.0798.260
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.260
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Richard Hudnut
ID Number
MG.293320.0974
accession number
293320
catalog number
293320.0974
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Richard Hudnut
ID Number
MG.293320.0827
catalog number
293320.0827
accession number
293320
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Coty
ID Number
1985.0481.327
catalog number
1985.0481.327
accession number
1985.0481
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1970s
maker
Guerlain
ID Number
1985.0516.084
accession number
1985.0516
catalog number
1985.0516.084
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1985.0481.360
catalog number
1985.0481.360
accession number
1985.0481
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1927-1930
product line launched (Krasny)
1927
product line discontinued (Krasny)
ca 1930
ID Number
1985.0481.319
accession number
1985.0481
catalog number
1985.0481.319

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