Health & Medicine

Iron Lung

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.

Date: 1930s

Elizabeth Arden Velva Leg Film, Sun Copper

While leg makeup was commercially available since the 1920s, it wasn't until rationing was introduced during the Second World War that leg makeup became an essential commodity for many American women.Silk and nylon became virtually unatainable, so, unable to procure silk or nylon
Description
While leg makeup was commercially available since the 1920s, it wasn't until rationing was introduced during the Second World War that leg makeup became an essential commodity for many American women.
Silk and nylon became virtually unatainable, so, unable to procure silk or nylon stockings, many women resorted to painting their legs with products such as this Velva Leg Film. Some industrious ladies even painted black lines down the back of their legs to mimic the seams of hosiery.
Velva Leg film was manufactured in the Nineteen Forties by Elizabeth Arden, a Canadian-born American businesswoman known for her beauty salons and cosmetic products.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1943
product launch
1933
maker
Elizabeth Arden Inc.
ID Number
1985.0481.384
catalog number
1985.0481.384
accession number
1985.0481

Elizabeth Arden Blue Grass Flower Mist

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1936-1940
product relaunch
1989
product launch
1934
maker
Elizabeth Arden Inc.
ID Number
2009.0098.01
accession number
2009.0098
catalog number
2009.0098.01

Lynn's Ex-Ze-Em Ointment

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging: To aid in the temporary relief of the discomfort of burning and itching accompanying eczemaCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging: To aid in the temporary relief of the discomfort of burning and itching accompanying eczema
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1930
Associated Name
Tupper's Pharmacy
maker
Lynn Chemical Company
ID Number
1980.0698.028
accession number
1980.0698
catalog number
1980.0698.028

William R. Warner & Co.'s Original Pill Cascara Cathartic (Dr. Hinkle)

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer, or as found in contemporary medical literature, are:For the relief of chronic and habitual constipation. Average Dose: 1 or 2 pillsCurrently 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 the relief of chronic and habitual constipation. Average Dose: 1 or 2 pills
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
maker
William R. Warner and Company
ID Number
MG.314016.122
catalog number
314016.122
accession number
314016

Scarlet Fever Streptococcus Toxin for Immunization - 5 Bulbs, 5 Doses, Bio. 157

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1939
expiration date
1940-02-16
maker
Parke, Davis and Company
ID Number
MG.M-04854
catalog number
M-04854
accession number
154611

Scarlet Fever Streptococcus Toxin for Immunization

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1937
expiration date
1937-06-24
maker
Parke, Davis and Company
ID Number
MG.M-04666
catalog number
M-04666
accession number
147292

Pollen Extract Ambrosiaceae (Ragweed and Related Genera) - 3 Vials, Serially Diluted, Bio. 364 - One Complete 15 Dose Treatment

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1939
expiration date
1940-11-01
maker
Parke, Davis and Company
ID Number
MG.M-04856
catalog number
M-04856
accession number
154611

Bewino

Blood builder and purifier. DigestionCurrently not on view
Description
Blood builder and purifier. Digestion
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1938
maker
Erard
Erbru Roots and Herbs Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.274347.162
catalog number
274347.162
M-12141
accession number
274347

Menthol Inhaler, 7 Grains

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer, or as found in contemporary medical literature, are:For use in upper respiratory infections [Remington's Practice of Pharmacy, Seventh Edition, 1927]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 in upper respiratory infections [Remington's Practice of Pharmacy, Seventh Edition, 1927]
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920s-1930s
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
National Pharmacy Company
ID Number
1984.0351.057
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.057

Gilbro's Aspirin Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: The relief of pain and discomforts in simple headaches and neuralgias, head colds, muscular aches and painsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: The relief of pain and discomforts in simple headaches and neuralgias, head colds, muscular aches and pains
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1930
maker
Gilbert Brothers and Company
ID Number
1979.0798.400
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.400

U-40 Iletin Insulin, Lilly, 10cc, 400 Units

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
maker
Eli Lilly and Company
ID Number
MG.M-02894.05
catalog number
M-02894.05
accession number
111796

Oxy Swift-Acting Cough Syrup

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For ordinary coughs due to coldsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For ordinary coughs due to colds
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1936-1938
maker
O. H. D. Company
ID Number
MG.M-10426.45
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

Purepac Henna Powder, Egyptian

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:The powdered leaves of Henna have been used by oriental women as a dye for the hair.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
The powdered leaves of Henna have been used by oriental women as a dye for the hair.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1931
maker
Purepac Company
ID Number
2004.0129.49
accession number
2004.0129
catalog number
2004.0129.49

Lucky Brown Hair Dressing for Men and Women

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Slicks Hair In Place/For Men and Women/ Have Beautiful Hair/Have Straighter Looking Glossy HairCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Slicks Hair In Place/For Men and Women/ Have Beautiful Hair/Have Straighter Looking Glossy Hair
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1937
copyright date (on packaging)
1937
maker
Famous Products Co.
ID Number
1986.0933.02
accession number
1986.0933
catalog number
1986.0933.02

Dr. Pierce's Lotion Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:One of these lotion tablets crushed and dissolved in a pint of hot water makes a cleansing lotion or washCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
One of these lotion tablets crushed and dissolved in a pint of hot water makes a cleansing lotion or wash
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1935
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
World's Dispensary Medical Association
ID Number
1984.0351.043
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.043

Lilly Iletin Syringe

This metal case contains two metal needles, and a graduated glass syringe with an inscription that reads in part “Lilly / ILETIN SYRINGE.” Iletin was the Eli Lilly & Co. trade name for insulin. The inscription on the case reads “Lilly / ASEPTIC.”Currently not on view
Description
This metal case contains two metal needles, and a graduated glass syringe with an inscription that reads in part “Lilly / ILETIN SYRINGE.” Iletin was the Eli Lilly & Co. trade name for insulin. The inscription on the case reads “Lilly / ASEPTIC.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
maker
Eli Lilly and Company
ID Number
MG.M-02888
catalog number
M-02888
accession number
111796

Pertussis Vaccine, Immunizing (Sauer) - 10,000 Million Killed Bacteria per cc

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1938
maker
Parke, Davis and Company
ID Number
MG.M-04665
accession number
147292
catalog number
M-04665

Meningococcus Antitoxin - 10,000 Units in a 30cc Ampoule - Treatment for meningococcal meningitis

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1938
maker
Parke, Davis and Company
ID Number
MG.M-04674
accession number
147292
catalog number
M-04674
serial number
035379-C

Merrell's Dousan

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging: A delightful aid for personal hygiene.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging: A delightful aid for personal hygiene. 1 or 2 teaspoonfuls to a quart of water.
By the early twentieth century, the idea that regular vaginal douching was a necessary part of women’s hygiene had gained traction and spurred the creation of a whole category of consumer products for women. Douching involves the insertion of fluids into the vagina to “cleanse” it, and manufacturers offered a range of powders and liquids for making up these solutions. Douche products at this time typically included antiseptic and astringent ingredients such as boric acid, zinc sulphate, salicylic acid, alum, thymol, and menthol. While advertising emphasized the cleansing, deodorizing, refreshing and soothing effects of douching, douching after sexual intercourse was widely employed (however ineffectively) for the purpose of contraception. Historian Andrea Tone states that by the 1940s, douching had become the most prevalent form of birth control used by women in the United States and remained so until the introduction of oral contraceptives in the 1960s.
The William S. Merrell Chemical Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, first marketed Dousan douche powder in late 1929. Like many personal hygiene products for women, the package design is decidedly feminine. The bottle’s distinct shape, and the metallic colors and design of the label, reflect the art deco style popular at this time. The label on the bottle does not include ingredients or provide directions for use although this information may have been on an outer box and/or package insert. Based on newspaper advertisements in the 1930s, Dousan sold for 50 cents to $1.25 (probably representing two different sizes) but could be found on sale for half that amount. The product appears to have been discontinued by 1950.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1930-1950
trademark renewed (Dousan)
1950-05-06
trademark registered (Dousan)
1930-05-06
maker
William S. Merrell Company
ID Number
1980.0698.149
accession number
1980.0698
catalog number
1980.0698.149

Antivenin (Nearctic Crotalidae) - North American Anti-Snake-Bite Serum - M 13

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
maker
H. K. Mulford Company
ID Number
MG.M-02717
catalog number
M-02717
accession number
108676

Pompeian, Medium Shade

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1925 -1934
maker
Pompeian Company
ID Number
1985.0481.355
catalog number
1985.0481.355
accession number
1985.0481

Bukets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:To stimulate the flow of urine and lessen its acidity, thus aiding nature in effecting better eliminationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
To stimulate the flow of urine and lessen its acidity, thus aiding nature in effecting better elimination
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1931
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Keller Company
ID Number
1984.0351.003
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.003

Carter's Little Iron Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:A compound iron tonic to make redder bloodCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
A compound iron tonic to make redder blood
Location
Currently not on view
date made
before 1937
retailer
Sherman Pharmacy
maker
Carter Medicine Company
ID Number
1985.0460.017
accession number
1985.0460
catalog number
1985.0460.017

Anti-Tubercular Dispensary Sign

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1905-1935
ID Number
2012.0165.561
accession number
2012.0165
catalog number
2012.0165.561

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