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.

Place: Pennsylvania

Diphtheria Toxoid, Fluid

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1947
maker
Sharp and Dohme
ID Number
MG.176974.04
catalog number
176974.04
accession number
176974.

Tooth Powder

Glass jar with paper label that reads in part “TOOTH POWDER / Prepared and Sold by GEO. FRESHELL / APOTHECARY, No. 3526 Haverford Ave., Phila.” Freshell sold his Philadelphia store in 1900, in order to focus his attention on his store in Wyncote.Currently not on view
Description
Glass jar with paper label that reads in part “TOOTH POWDER / Prepared and Sold by GEO. FRESHELL / APOTHECARY, No. 3526 Haverford Ave., Phila.” Freshell sold his Philadelphia store in 1900, in order to focus his attention on his store in Wyncote.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
MG.M-00708

Scarlet Fever Streptococcus Toxin for Dick Test

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1947
maker
Sharp and Dohme
ID Number
MG.177206.05
catalog number
177206.05
accession number
177206

S. S. White Tooth Paste

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Penwalt Corporation. S.S. White Dental Health Products
ID Number
1981.0752.02
accession number
1981.0752
catalog number
1981.0752.02

Bicola Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:A brain, nerve and blood tonic; cures all nervous diseases; female weaknesses; suppression of periodsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
A brain, nerve and blood tonic; cures all nervous diseases; female weaknesses; suppression of periods
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1900
maker
Turners
ID Number
MG.M-10413.37
catalog number
M-10413.37
accession number
246707

Diphtheria-Pertussis-Tetanus Combined, Alum Precipitated

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1947
maker
Sharp and Dohme
ID Number
MG.176974.08
catalog number
176974.08
accession number
176974

Dollard's Herbanium Extract

Dollard’s Herbanium Extract was produced by Dollard and Company of Philadelphia, Pa. The product label claims that the company had been in business since 1838. Early advertisements for the Herbanium Extract date back to at least the mid 1840s. R.
Description
Dollard’s Herbanium Extract was produced by Dollard and Company of Philadelphia, Pa. The product label claims that the company had been in business since 1838. Early advertisements for the Herbanium Extract date back to at least the mid 1840s. R. Dollard appears to have been a Philadelphia wigmaker.
This bottle probably dates to the 1920s. Dollard and Company are referred to on the box as "Specialists in Hair and Complexion," reflecting a change from earlier packaging which bore the tagline, "Hairdressers and Wigmakers."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1906
maker
Dollard and Company
ID Number
MG.254865.25
accession number
254865
catalog number
254865.25

Eskay's Oralator

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For temporary relief of coughs due to colds. Checks coughing spell at the very start.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For temporary relief of coughs due to colds. Checks coughing spell at the very start.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1940s
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Smith, Kline & French Laboratories
ID Number
1984.0351.163
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.163

Warner's Original Compound Lithia Water Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Diuretic. Antacid. Recommended by many practitioners in the treatment of gout, rheumatism, gravel and lithaemia.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Diuretic. Antacid. Recommended by many practitioners in the treatment of gout, rheumatism, gravel and lithaemia.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1916
ID Number
1979.0798.064
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.64

Mulford Timothy Pollen Extract - Sharpe & Dohme

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Sharp and Dohme
ID Number
1978.0882.68
accession number
1978.0882
catalog number
1978.0882.68

Rose Dentifrice

Glass container with red cap, and paper label reading “Rose / Dentifrice / FOR CLEANSING, BEAUTIFYING / AND PRESERVING THE / TEETH AND GUMS / PREPARED BY / J. A. EBERLY / DRUGGIST / 2601 Columbia Ave., Phila.”Currently not on view
Description
Glass container with red cap, and paper label reading “Rose / Dentifrice / FOR CLEANSING, BEAUTIFYING / AND PRESERVING THE / TEETH AND GUMS / PREPARED BY / J. A. EBERLY / DRUGGIST / 2601 Columbia Ave., Phila.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1914
maker
J.A. Eberly
ID Number
1988.0717.56
catalog number
1988.0717.56
accession number
1988.0717

Mulford Pollen Extract (Fall) - Made from the Pollens of Giant and Common Ragweed - Sharpe & Dohme

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Sharp and Dohme
ID Number
1978.0882.66
accession number
1978.0882
catalog number
1978.0882.66

Pyronin and Methyline Green - Pappenheim Saathof - Hartman-Leddon Co.

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Hartman-Leddon Co. Inc.
ID Number
2017.0184.001.24
catalog number
2017.0184.001.24
accession number
2017.0184

Scarlet Fever Streptococcus Toxin for Immunization

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1947
maker
Sharp and Dohme
ID Number
MG.177206.08
catalog number
177206.08
accession number
177206

Jayne's Expectorant for Coughs

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For coughs due to coldsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For coughs due to colds
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1920
maker
Dr. D. Jayne and Son
ID Number
1989.0711.24
accession number
1989.0711
catalog number
1989.0711.24

Tetanus Toxoid Fluid - One Immunization

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1947
maker
Sharp and Dohme
ID Number
MG.176974.09
catalog number
176974.09
accession number
176974

Mentos Medicine

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1985.0481.341
catalog number
1985.0481.341
accession number
1985.0481

Tetanus Toxoid - Alum Precipitated U.S.P.

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1965
expiration date
1965-07-18
maker
National Drug Company
Richardson-Merrell, Inc
ID Number
1981.0170.010
accession number
1981.0170
catalog number
1981.0170.010

Hostetter Tonic

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:Tonic, stomachic, and appetizerCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
Tonic, stomachic, and appetizer
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1954-1958
maker
Hostetter Corporation
ID Number
1989.0711.23
accession number
1989.0711
catalog number
1989.0711.23

Hance Hanorub

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging: A stimulating counter-irritant for external use.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging: A stimulating counter-irritant for external use. For application to the chest for its counter-irritant effects in cases of common colds and for its counter-irritant effects for soreness and stiffness of the muscles due to over-exercise or exposure and strains due to colds.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1950
Associated Name
Tupper's Pharmacy
maker
Hance Brothers and White Company
ID Number
1980.0698.016
accession number
1980.0698
catalog number
1980.0698.016

Thompson's San Cura

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:A most excellent combination of vegetable medicines for scrofula, erysipelas, syphilis, salt rheum, pimples, boils, and all impurities of the blood.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
A most excellent combination of vegetable medicines for scrofula, erysipelas, syphilis, salt rheum, pimples, boils, and all impurities of the blood. As a spring medicine for removing biliousness, preventing and relieving constipation, in conjunction with Thompson's Dandelion and Mandrake Pills, it will be found invaluable, increasing the appetite and strengthening the system. In all skin diseases or eruptions it should be used with San Cura Ointment.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1906
maker
Thompson Medical Company
ID Number
1989.0711.50
accession number
1989.0711
catalog number
1989.0711.50

Sunflower Pollen Extract E Strength - Mulford Company

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1922
maker
H. K. Mulford Company
ID Number
1978.0882.60
accession number
1978.0882
catalog number
1978.0882.60

Hance Larkspur Lotion

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Effective in destroying head and crab lice; for external use onlyCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Effective in destroying head and crab lice; for external use only
Location
Currently not on view
retailer
Tupper's Pharmacy
maker
Hance Brothers and White Company
ID Number
1980.0698.050
accession number
1980.0698
catalog number
1980.0698.050

Dollard's Herbaniium Extract

Dollard’s Herbanium Extract was produced by Dollard and Company of Philadelphia, Pa. The product label claims that the company had been in business since 1838. Early advertisements for the Herbanium Extract date back to at least the mid-1840s. R.
Description
Dollard’s Herbanium Extract was produced by Dollard and Company of Philadelphia, Pa. The product label claims that the company had been in business since 1838. Early advertisements for the Herbanium Extract date back to at least the mid-1840s. R. Dollard appears to have been a Philadelphia wigmaker.
This bottle probably dates around 1920. The alcohol content is listed to comply with the 1906 Food and Drugs Act. Claims that the product is a valuable remedy for headache, which were present on early packaging, have been omitted from the label.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1906
maker
Dollard and Company
ID Number
MG.254865.26
accession number
254865
catalog number
254865.26

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