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.

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Promotes bowel activityCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Promotes bowel activity
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1924
retailer
Sherman Pharmacy
distributor
Vendol Company
ID Number
1985.0460.108
accession number
1985.0460
catalog number
1985.0460.108
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Aids in relieving distress and discomforts of colds by its fourfold action -- as an analgesic, as an antipyretic, as an expectorant, and as a laxative.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Aids in relieving distress and discomforts of colds by its fourfold action -- as an analgesic, as an antipyretic, as an expectorant, and as a laxative. For relief of coughs, simple headaches and neuralgia, muscular aches, pains, and reducing fever due to colds.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1947
retailer
Sherman Pharmacy
maker
Monticello Drug Company
ID Number
1985.0460.097
accession number
1985.0460
catalog number
1985.0460.097
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:A mild effective laxativeCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
A mild effective laxative
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1940
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Miles Laboratories
ID Number
1984.0351.091
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.091
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Tonic-laxative and blood purifier. Cures constipation, sick headache, dyspepsia, biliousness, etc.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Tonic-laxative and blood purifier. Cures constipation, sick headache, dyspepsia, biliousness, etc.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1900
1895-1910
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Malena Company
ID Number
1984.0351.085
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.085
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For constipation, biliousness and headacheCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For constipation, biliousness and headache
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Foley and Company
ID Number
1984.0351.076
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.076
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Tonic-laxative and blood purifier. Cures constipation, sick headache, dyspepsia, biliousness, etc.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Tonic-laxative and blood purifier. Cures constipation, sick headache, dyspepsia, biliousness, etc.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1900
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Malena Company
ID Number
1984.0351.086
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.086
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For common colds, headache due to colds, and simple neuralgia. Gently move the bowels.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For common colds, headache due to colds, and simple neuralgia. Gently move the bowels.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1930 - 1950
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
1984.0351.093
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.093
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:A laxative tea. For the relief of the various symptoms due to constipation, or faulty intestinal elimination.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
A laxative tea. For the relief of the various symptoms due to constipation, or faulty intestinal elimination.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920
retailer
Sherman Pharmacy
maker
S. C. Wells and Company
ID Number
1985.0460.008
accession number
1985.0460
catalog number
1985.0460.008
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:LaxativeCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Laxative
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
W. H. Comstock Company
ID Number
1984.0351.111
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.111
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Directions: Insert one suppository into the rectum. Permit to remain. Bowel action will usually result within a few minutesCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Directions: Insert one suppository into the rectum. Permit to remain. Bowel action will usually result within a few minutes
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
McKesson and Robbins
ID Number
1984.0351.023
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.023
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For common colds, headaches due to constipationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For common colds, headaches due to constipation
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1930
maker
W. H. Hill Company
Larned Corporation
ID Number
MG.293320.1309
catalog number
293320.1309
accession number
293320
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Treatment of bilious constipation and as a tonic laxativeCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Treatment of bilious constipation and as a tonic laxative
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1938
maker
John Wyeth and Brother
ID Number
MG.293320.1292
catalog number
293320.1292
accession number
293320
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:A blood purifier, purgative, diuretic alterative, cures all liver, stomach, bowels and kidney diseases, nervous debility, dropsy, scrofula, salt rheum, all skin diseases, worms, gravel and other bladder disease
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
A blood purifier, purgative, diuretic alterative, cures all liver, stomach, bowels and kidney diseases, nervous debility, dropsy, scrofula, salt rheum, all skin diseases, worms, gravel and other bladder diseases, ague, cough, cold, heart disease, rheumatism, asthma, bilious and intermittent fevers, jaundice, chronic diarrhea, flatulency, internal inflammation, erysipelas, constipation, dyspepsia, brain diseases, vertigo or dizziness, gout, lumbago, leuccorrhea and all female diseases, epilepsy, swollen feet and limbs, boils, tumors, tetters, scaldhead, ringworm, ulcers and general debility
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1900
ca 1880
maker
F. Rumsey Gridley
ID Number
MG.M-10426.66
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:LaxativeCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
Laxative
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1936
maker
Thacher Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.M-10426.06
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707
[No indications or uses for this product are provided on its packaging.]Currently not on view
Description
[No indications or uses for this product are provided on its packaging.]
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1898-1902
Associated Name
Brandreth Pill Works
maker
Brandreth Pill Works
ID Number
MG.M-10413.19
catalog number
M-10413.19
accession number
246707
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:A stomach tonic. For nervousness, catarrh of the head and stomach, scrofulous humor, canker, pimples and humors on the face, summer complaints, female weaknesses. Restores the appetite, purifies the blood.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
A stomach tonic. For nervousness, catarrh of the head and stomach, scrofulous humor, canker, pimples and humors on the face, summer complaints, female weaknesses. Restores the appetite, purifies the blood. For dyspepsia, constipation, sick headache, dizziness, low spirits caused by disordered stomach, rheumatism, neuralgia, kidney and liver complaints, bilious attacks, piles, malaria, torpidity of the system, languor, general debility, fever and ague.
date made
1885-1908
maker
Quaker Bitters Company
ID Number
MG.M-12151.01
catalog number
M-12151.01
accession number
271464
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Successfully used in the treatment of colds, grip, headache and as a gentle laxative for the bowelsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Successfully used in the treatment of colds, grip, headache and as a gentle laxative for the bowels
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1927
maker
Kemp and Lane
ID Number
MG.293320.3019
accession number
293320
catalog number
293320.3019
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:A remedy for constipation and biliousness. Keeps the bowels clean.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
A remedy for constipation and biliousness. Keeps the bowels clean.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1900
maker
Egyptian Drug Company
ID Number
MG.M-10416.03
catalog number
M-10416.03
accession number
246707
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Dyspepsia, indigestion, rheumatism, diarrhea, consumption, catarrh, bronchitis, neuralgia, headache, boils, ulcers, sore eyes, dropsy, scald head, paralysis, erysipelas, scrofula, tetter, skin diseases,
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Dyspepsia, indigestion, rheumatism, diarrhea, consumption, catarrh, bronchitis, neuralgia, headache, boils, ulcers, sore eyes, dropsy, scald head, paralysis, erysipelas, scrofula, tetter, skin diseases, bilious, remittant and intermittant fevers, pains in the back, shoulders, heart and chest, liver and kidney troubles, stomach ache, jaundice, gout and fits, dizziness, colds and coughs, croup, palpitation of the heart, lead colic, nausea, biliousness, constipation, piles, worms
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1870-1890
maker
R. H. McDonald Drug Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1284
catalog number
293320.1284
accession number
293320
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer, or as found in contemporary medical literature, are:For sinus and nasal congestion, headache, feverish feeling, muscular aches and pain, temporary constipationCurrently 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 sinus and nasal congestion, headache, feverish feeling, muscular aches and pain, temporary constipation
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1960-1970s
maker
Bristol-Myers Company
ID Number
MG.313462.082
catalog number
313462.082
accession number
313462
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For gas in stomach or bowel and for occasional constipation and heartburnCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For gas in stomach or bowel and for occasional constipation and heartburn
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1930
after 1902
maker
Adlerika Company
ID Number
MG.M-10426.71
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:A reliable and efficient laxative and catharticCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
A reliable and efficient laxative and cathartic
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1938
maker
Bristol-Myers Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1362
catalog number
293320.1362
accession number
293320
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For torpid liver, dyspepsia, indigestion, sick headache, constipation and biliousnessCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For torpid liver, dyspepsia, indigestion, sick headache, constipation and biliousness
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1920
maker
Doty and Humphrey Drug Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1317
catalog number
293320.1317
accession number
293320
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For coughs, colds, croups, la grippe, whooping cough, and bronchitisCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For coughs, colds, croups, la grippe, whooping cough, and bronchitis
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1906-1908
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup18]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

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