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.

In 1954, Jonas Salk’s early success with a killed polio virus vaccine led the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis to implement a large-scale trial of his vaccine. James M.
Description
In 1954, Jonas Salk’s early success with a killed polio virus vaccine led the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis to implement a large-scale trial of his vaccine. James M. Norton, a third-grade student at Thornton Heights School in South Portland, Maine, was one of many children who took part in this trial. This is the button he was given at that time.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1954
ID Number
1996.0336.01
accession number
1996.0336
catalog number
1996.0336.01
In 1954, Jonas Salk’s early success with a killed polio virus vaccine led the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis to implement a large-scale trial of his vaccine. James M.
Description
In 1954, Jonas Salk’s early success with a killed polio virus vaccine led the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis to implement a large-scale trial of his vaccine. James M. Norton, a third-grade student at Thornton Heights School in South Portland, Maine, was one of many children who took part in this trial. This is the card he was given at that time.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1954
ID Number
1996.0336.02
accession number
1996.0336
catalog number
1996.0336.02
Two glass pipettes in a cardboard box. Inscriptions on the box read in part, “YANKEE CERTIFIED / BLOOD DILUTING PIPETTE—WITH TUBING AND MOUTHPIECE / CERTIFIED BY CLAY-ADAMS, INC.
Description
Two glass pipettes in a cardboard box. Inscriptions on the box read in part, “YANKEE CERTIFIED / BLOOD DILUTING PIPETTE—WITH TUBING AND MOUTHPIECE / CERTIFIED BY CLAY-ADAMS, INC. MADE IN U.S.A.” AND “PATENT 2,726,549 / ALL MARKINGS ARE PERMANENT AND WILL NOT WASH OR WEAR OFF.”
Ref: James H. Geffen, “Graduated Measuring Device,” U.S. Patent 2,726,549 (Dec. 13, 1955), assigned to Clay-Adams, Inc.
Location
Currently not on view
patent date
1955-12-13
maker
Clay Adams
ID Number
1980.0851.04
catalog number
1980.0851.04
accession number
1980.0851
patent number
US2726549
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
1950s
maker
Maybelline Cosmetics
ID Number
2008.0018.268
accession number
2008.0018
catalog number
2008.0018.268
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
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1950s
maker
Lever Brothers Company
ID Number
1981.0219.037
accession number
1981.0219
catalog number
1981.0219.037
Edna Black (later Hindson) was a child in 1946 when she was struck with polio and spent time in a hospital and at Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s Warm Springs Rehabilitation Facility in Georgia. Her mother kept this scrapbook of that experience.Ref: Lassie G. Black and Edna R.
Description
Edna Black (later Hindson) was a child in 1946 when she was struck with polio and spent time in a hospital and at Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s Warm Springs Rehabilitation Facility in Georgia. Her mother kept this scrapbook of that experience.
Ref: Lassie G. Black and Edna R. Black Hindson, My Scrapbook of My Illness with Polio
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1940s-1950s
ID Number
2004.3075.03
nonaccession number
2004.3075
catalog number
2004.3075.03
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
Square-sided, colorless glass jar with black metal screw-on lid. Dark blue printing on jar depicts a female silhouette with arms raised above head.
Description
Square-sided, colorless glass jar with black metal screw-on lid. Dark blue printing on jar depicts a female silhouette with arms raised above head. Printed on jar: "DeWans Depilatory / Especially for facial use / Contains Strontium Sulfide / Net contents 3 ounces / Read Directions Carefully." Jar is mostly full of a white powder.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950 - 1954
ID Number
2019.0244.02
catalog number
2019.0244.02
accession number
2019.0244
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1940s-1950s
maker
Burma-Vita Company
ID Number
1986.0873.36
accession number
1986.0873
catalog number
1986.0873.36
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950s
maker
Solo Products Corporation
ID Number
2012.0046.08
catalog number
2012.0046.08
accession number
2012.0046
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1956
maker
Eng Aun Tong Tiger Medical Hall Rangoon
ID Number
MG.M-06892.07
catalog number
M-06892.07
accession number
210760
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1958-06-17
maker
Instituto Sieroterapico Italiano
Parke, Davis Italia, S.p.A.
ID Number
1982.0043.008
accession number
1982.0043
catalog number
1982.0043.008
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1953
maker
Colgate-Palmolive Company
ID Number
1985.0475.165
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.165
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950s
maker
Parke, Davis and Company
ID Number
1982.0043.014B
accession number
1982.0043
catalog number
1982.0043.014B
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1956
maker
Eng Aun Tong Tiger Medical Hall Rangoon
ID Number
MG.M-06892.11
catalog number
M-06892.11
accession number
210760
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1949
expiration date
1950-08-05
maker
Lederle Laboratories Division, American Cyanimid Company
ID Number
MG.M-06543
catalog number
M-06543
accession number
183169
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1957
maker
Alfred D. McKelvy Company
ID Number
1985.0475.215
catalog number
1985.0475.215
accession number
1985.0475
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 1954
expiration date
1954-03-05
maker
American Cyanamid Company. Lederle Laboratories Division
ID Number
1985.0475.843
catalog number
1985.0475.843
accession number
1985.0475
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
date made
1940s-1950s
ID Number
2004.3075.07
nonaccession number
2004.3075
catalog number
2004.3075.07
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1956
maker
Eng Aun Tong Tiger Medical Hall Rangoon
ID Number
MG.M-06892.05
catalog number
M-06892.05
accession number
210760

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