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.

Round, metal jar with lid. Embossed on lid: "Melorose / Beauty Cream / 50[cents] / WILLARD WHITE CO., CHICAGO." Jar is empty.Currently not on view
Description
Round, metal jar with lid. Embossed on lid: "Melorose / Beauty Cream / 50[cents] / WILLARD WHITE CO., CHICAGO." Jar is empty.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
MG.293320.0861
catalog number
293320.0861
accession number
293320
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
maker
Noxzema Chemical Company
ID Number
1979.0798.213
catalog number
1979.0798.213
accession number
1979.0798
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1910s
maker
Richard Hudnut
ID Number
MG.M-11464.03
catalog number
M-11464.03
accession number
260557
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950
maker
Elizabeth Arden Inc.
ID Number
2009.3030.04
nonaccession number
2009.3030
catalog number
2009.3030.04
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
Oval, white glass container with a paper label seal around the perimeter. 1 1/8 oz. Active Ingredients printed on label.
Description
Oval, white glass container with a paper label seal around the perimeter. 1 1/8 oz. Active Ingredients printed on label. "For External Use by Adults"
["Directions for Using Black and White Bleaching Cream" about 1941]
"Nature is constantly replacing the outer layer of normal skin by flaking it off in tiny particles and replacing it with a new layer.
Black and White Bleaching Cream acts in a similar and supplemental manner and may be used in cases where one wishes to hasten exfoliation (peeling off) of the over-pigmented outer skin -- the result of exposure to sun or wind. It acts the same way when applied to freckles ... It is especially useful as a complexion lightener ..."
"Black and White Bleaching Cream is packaged in special, oval-shaped, opal jars so you may easily remove a small quantity of the cream with the fingertips, thereby regulating the amount you wish to apply.'
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1940s
maker
Black and White Company
Plough, Inc.
ID Number
1985.0475.156
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.156
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
McKesson and Robbins
ID Number
1985.0475.226
catalog number
1985.0475.226
accession number
1985.0475
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1941-1945
maker
Johnson and Johnson
ID Number
1997.0282.02
accession number
1997.0282
catalog number
1997.0282.02
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
distributor
Plough, Inc.
maker
Plough
ID Number
1985.0475.474
catalog number
1985.0475.474
accession number
1985.0475
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
American Stopper Company
ID Number
MG.293320.0862
catalog number
293320.0862
accession number
293320
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920s
maker
Pompeian Company
ID Number
2008.0018.278
catalog number
2008.0018.278
accession number
2008.0018
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Squibb
ID Number
MG.293320.0912
catalog number
293320.0912
accession number
293320
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1920-1940
Associated Name
Hauch's
maker
Royal Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1982.0274.04
accession number
1982.0274
catalog number
1982.0274.04
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:a quality cleansing and massage cream for the face and neck.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
a quality cleansing and massage cream for the face and neck.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1914 - 1920s
maker
De Pree Company
ID Number
2008.0018.174
catalog number
2008.0018.174
accession number
2008.0018
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Benjamin Ansehl Company
ID Number
1985.0475.201
catalog number
1985.0475.201
accession number
1985.0475
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1982
maker
Plus Products
ID Number
1983.0082.12
catalog number
1983.0082.12
accession number
1983.0082
This object is one of over 700 medically related objects used on the set of the television show M*A*S*H.
Description
This object is one of over 700 medically related objects used on the set of the television show M*A*S*H. Most of these items are authentic medical instruments, supplies, and equipment from the 1950s.
M*A*S*H was an award-winning television show based on the bestselling novel and Oscar winning motion picture film of the same title. It portrayed the lives of doctors and nurses assigned to a fictitious medical unit, the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital, based in Uijeongbu, Korea during the 1950-1953 war. The program was initially broadcast from September 17, 1972 to February 28, 1983.
After the show ended in 1983, Twentieth Century Fox donated material from the two major sets, the “Swamp” and the “Operating Theater,” to the museum, along with scripts, photographs, and interviews with individuals who served in MASH units in Korea and Vietnam. See accessions 1983.0095, 1985.0335, 1988.0748, 1988.3163, and archival collection NMAH.AC.0117, for further MASH material.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Helene Curtis
ID Number
1985.0252.425
accession number
1985.0252
catalog number
1985.0252.425
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1979.0798.290
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.290
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:To make hypertrophic scars appear less visibleCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
To make hypertrophic scars appear less visible
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 2002
maker
Beiersdorf, Inc.
ID Number
2002.0098.11
catalog number
2002.0098.11
accession number
2002.0098
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 2015
maker
Kiehl's Since 1851
ID Number
2016.0035.09
catalog number
2016.0035.09
accession number
2016.0035
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Suggested uses: On the body, after a tub, shower, or dip. In the shoes and stockings before dancing and walking. On the body, before and after golf, tennis, and other excercise. On sunburned skin.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Suggested uses: On the body, after a tub, shower, or dip. In the shoes and stockings before dancing and walking. On the body, before and after golf, tennis, and other excercise. On sunburned skin. After shaving. Doesn't show. Use it after Aqua Velva.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1940
maker
J. B. Williams Company
ID Number
1988.3089.115
catalog number
1988.3089.115
nonaccession number
1988.3089
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Boericke & Tafel
ID Number
MG.311682.0606
catalog number
311682.0606
accession number
311682
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1982
maker
Plus Products
ID Number
1983.0082.13
catalog number
1983.0082.13
accession number
1983.0082

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