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.

Cardboard box containing one hypodermic needle, and carrying a text that reads in part “LILLY’S ILETIN SYRINGE NO. 280” AND “ELI LILLY & CO. Indianapolis, U.S.A.” The inscription on the needle tube reads “Lilly 35787 / NO. 280 ILETIN SYRINGE / ELI LILLY & CO.
Description
Cardboard box containing one hypodermic needle, and carrying a text that reads in part “LILLY’S ILETIN SYRINGE NO. 280” AND “ELI LILLY & CO. Indianapolis, U.S.A.” The inscription on the needle tube reads “Lilly 35787 / NO. 280 ILETIN SYRINGE / ELI LILLY & CO. INDIANAPOLIS, U.S.A.” Iletin was the Eli Lilly trade name for insulin. The firm filed for a trademark on the term in 1922.
In the early 1920s, Eli Lilly collaborated with the research team at the University of Toronto to develop the commercial manufacture of insulin. Along with the production of insulin, the company marketed accessories such as insulin syringe kits and testing kits for urine sugar.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1940
maker
Eli Lilly and Company
ID Number
1982.0498.13
catalog number
1982.0498.13
accession number
1982.0498
Brown leatherette covered hinged case with gray flocked interior. Insets in interior hold a green and silver colored metal and plastic insulin pen. Interior of case also has insets to hold insulin cartridges. The pen is a free sample. "Lilly" inscribed on exterior of case.
Description
Brown leatherette covered hinged case with gray flocked interior. Insets in interior hold a green and silver colored metal and plastic insulin pen. Interior of case also has insets to hold insulin cartridges. The pen is a free sample. "Lilly" inscribed on exterior of case. No insulin is included. The pen allows for dosing in half unit increments from 1 to 30. It is designed for use with Lilly Humalog insulin 3 ml. cartridges. The pen was introduced around 2009-2010 and was selling for $55 - $60 in 2019.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
2010-2016
maker
Eli Lilly and Company
ID Number
2017.0192.14
accession number
2017.0192
catalog number
2017.0192.14
Red plastic hinged case with white print label on top and paper label on bottom. Case contains one (1) glass vial of Glucagon, one (1) glass and plastic Hyporet syringe with diluting solution for Glucagon, and one (1) folded paper insert with Information for the User.
Description
Red plastic hinged case with white print label on top and paper label on bottom. Case contains one (1) glass vial of Glucagon, one (1) glass and plastic Hyporet syringe with diluting solution for Glucagon, and one (1) folded paper insert with Information for the User. A card with graphics illustrating how to use the kit is inserted into the inside lid of the case. Control No. A859184D; Exp. Date: 03 2013 - printed on label. "Sydnie Papenfuss" is written in black marker on one end of the case. The emergency kit was carried by Sydnie Papenfuss the younger sister of donor Kaitlin Marie. Both of the sisters have Type 1 diabetes. Glucagon is used to treat insulin coma or insulin reaction resulting from severe hypoglycemia (very low blood sugar.)
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 2013
product expiration date
2013-03
maker
Eli Lilly and Company
ID Number
2017.0192.16
accession number
2017.0192
catalog number
2017.0192.16
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1953
expiration date
1953-09-19
maker
Eli Lilly and Company
ID Number
1978.0882.36
accession number
1978.0882
catalog number
1978.0882.36
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
maker
Eli Lilly and Company
ID Number
MG.M-02893.02
catalog number
M-02893.02
accession number
111796
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1946
maker
Eli Lilly and Company
ID Number
MG.M-06432
catalog number
M-06432
accession number
173800
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1924
expiration date
1924-09-25
maker
Eli Lilly and Company
ID Number
1982.0498.07
accession number
1982.0498
catalog number
1982.0498.07
Blood glucose monitor with user's manual. Blood glucose monitor is white and blue plastic with blue print, LCD display panel, and blue and red print. User's Manual is white paper with black print and includes written and pictorial directions (copyright 1992).
Description
Blood glucose monitor with user's manual. Blood glucose monitor is white and blue plastic with blue print, LCD display panel, and blue and red print. User's Manual is white paper with black print and includes written and pictorial directions (copyright 1992). Manual cover is purple with white print and picture of blood glucose monitor. Medical Services Representative contact information on reverse side.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
about 1992
maker
Boehringer Mannheim Corporation
ID Number
2014.0140.09
accession number
2014.0140
catalog number
2014.0140.09
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
This handheld device detects the presence of troponin T in blood, which is a marker for for myocardial infraction (heart attack).
Description (Brief)
This handheld device detects the presence of troponin T in blood, which is a marker for for myocardial infraction (heart attack). The device is used by health care professionals to quickly diagnosis cardiac events and to determine whether there is damage to the heart muscle.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1996
maker
Boehringer Mannheim Corporation
ID Number
2014.0247.23
accession number
2014.0247
catalog number
2014.0247.23
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
maker
Eli Lilly and Company
ID Number
1982.0498.09
accession number
1982.0498
catalog number
1982.0498.09
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer, or as found in contemporary medical literature, are:For use increasing blood pressure, relaxing bronchial muscles and intestinal spasms, stimulating and subsequently depressing the heart, relief of manifest
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer, or as found in contemporary medical literature, are:
For use increasing blood pressure, relaxing bronchial muscles and intestinal spasms, stimulating and subsequently depressing the heart, relief of manifestations of allergy, cerebral stimulation, conservation and sometimes restoration of muscular function, prophylactic against hypotension in spinal anesthesia [De Re Medicina, Eli Lilly and Company, 1938]
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1932
maker
Eli Lilly and Company
ID Number
MG.M-03167.01
catalog number
M-03167.01
accession number
117808
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Eli Lilly and Company
ID Number
1978.0882.47
accession number
1978.0882
catalog number
1978.0882.47
Humulin is human insulin used for treating diabetes. Prior to its development, diabetics used insulin isolated from pig and cow pancreases.
Description (Brief)
Humulin is human insulin used for treating diabetes. Prior to its development, diabetics used insulin isolated from pig and cow pancreases. Developed by Genentech, the first American biotechnology company, Humulin was licensed to Eli Lilly and became the first marketable product created through recombinant DNA technology. Its licensing by the FDA in October 1982 also made it the first recombinant pharmaceutical approved for use in the United States.
Recombinant pharmaceuticals are created by inserting genes from one species into a host species, often yeast or bacteria, where they do not naturally occur. The genes code for a desired product, and therefore the genetically modified host organisms can be grown and used as a kind of living factory to produce the product. In this case, genes coding for human insulin are inserted into bacteria. Bacteria produce insulin, which is harvested and used as the active ingredient in Humulin.
Humulin L is an intermediate-acting insulin with a slower onset of action than regular insulin and a longer duration of activity (up to 24 hours). Due to declining use of longer-acting insulins, Humulin L was discontinued in 2005.
Object consists of a white cardboard box with black and red printing. Box contains two product inserts and a round, clear glass bottle with an orange plastic cap and white label. Bottle contains a white substance suspended in a clear solution.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1987
maker
Eli Lilly and Company
ID Number
1987.0790.04
accession number
1987.0790
catalog number
1987.0790.04
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1982
maker
Eli Lilly and Company
ID Number
1982.0153.25
accession number
1982.0153
catalog number
1982.0153.25
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1953
expiration date
1953-09-19
maker
Eli Lilly and Company
ID Number
1978.0882.35
accession number
1978.0882
catalog number
1978.0882.35
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1963
product expiration date
1964-02-01
maker
Eli Lilly and Company
ID Number
1982.0531.058
catalog number
1982.0531.058
accession number
1982.0531
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1982
maker
Eli Lilly and Company
ID Number
1982.0153.27
accession number
1982.0153
catalog number
1982.0153.27
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1940
maker
Eli Lilly and Company
ID Number
MG.M-04898.03
catalog number
M-04898.03
accession number
156188
Novelty item in the shape of a milk bottle. One side has a color image of the Sunlight Milk plant. The other bears a trademark for Polk's Best. Included are three retractable toothpicks.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Novelty item in the shape of a milk bottle. One side has a color image of the Sunlight Milk plant. The other bears a trademark for Polk's Best. Included are three retractable toothpicks.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1893
maker
American Art Works
ID Number
2006.0098.0133
accession number
2006.0098
catalog number
2006.0098.0133
Humulin is human insulin used for treating diabetes. Prior to its development, diabetics used insulin isolated from pig and cow pancreases.
Description (Brief)
Humulin is human insulin used for treating diabetes. Prior to its development, diabetics used insulin isolated from pig and cow pancreases. Developed by Genentech, the first American biotechnology company, Humulin was licensed to Eli Lilly and became the first marketable product created through recombinant DNA technology. Its licensing by the FDA in October 1982 also made it the first recombinant pharmaceutical approved for use in the United States.
Recombinant pharmaceuticals are created by inserting genes from one species into a host species, often yeast or bacteria, where they do not naturally occur. The genes code for a desired product, and therefore the genetically modified host organisms can be grown and used as a kind of living factory to produce the product. In this case, genes coding for human insulin are inserted into bacteria. Bacteria produce insulin, which is harvested and used as the active ingredient in Humulin.
Humulin BR is similar to regular insulin in activity and action, but it was formulated to be used specifically and only in the external insulin pump.
Object consists of a white cardboard box with black and red printing. Box contains two product inserts and one round clear glass bottle with an orange plastic cap and a white label. Bottle contains a yellowish, clear solution.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1987
maker
Eli Lilly and Company
ID Number
1987.0790.02
accession number
1987.0790
catalog number
1987.0790.02
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1956
maker
Eli Lilly and Company
ID Number
1980.0076.014
accession number
1980.0076
catalog number
1980.0076.14
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1956
maker
Eli Lilly and Company
ID Number
1980.0076.016
accession number
1980.0076
catalog number
1980.0076.16

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