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.

This albarello has a white background and blue, green, purple–brown and yellow–orange stylized floral motifs flanked by solid bands of color. Pharmaceutical historian George Urdang dates this albarello to 16th-century Florence.
Description
This albarello has a white background and blue, green, purple–brown and yellow–orange stylized floral motifs flanked by solid bands of color. Pharmaceutical historian George Urdang dates this albarello to 16th-century Florence. In a letter dated 7 October 1973, pharmaceutical historian and author Dr. D. A. Wittop Koning attributes the place of origin to the Netherlands, and Professor Wolfgang–Hagen Hein, to 16th-century Antwerpen.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1500 - 1599
ID Number
1991.0664.0520
catalog number
M-05732
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 444
catalog number
1991.0664.0520
This white albarello displays a blue shield divided into four sections with depictions of two castles and two lions. A yellow–brown free–form label below the shield has been left blank to be filled in by the apothecary.Currently not on view
Description
This white albarello displays a blue shield divided into four sections with depictions of two castles and two lions. A yellow–brown free–form label below the shield has been left blank to be filled in by the apothecary.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1575 - 1599
ID Number
1991.0664.0519
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05731
collector/donor number
SAP 443
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
1991.0664.0519
This blue and white syrup jar has an applied strap handle, a spout, a flared foot, and a round wooden lid painted red. The jar is decorated with a stylized floral motif and a central white band inscribed in gothic lettering that reads S de pomis s.
Description
This blue and white syrup jar has an applied strap handle, a spout, a flared foot, and a round wooden lid painted red. The jar is decorated with a stylized floral motif and a central white band inscribed in gothic lettering that reads S de pomis s. The jar could have contained Syrupus de Pomis compositus, a syrup made from senna leaves, borage, and apple juice that was used as a purgative.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1500
Date made
1500 - 1599
date made
ca 1550
ID Number
1991.0664.0499
catalog number
M-05711
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
1991.0664.0499.02
collector/donor number
SAP 423
catalog number
1991.0664.0499.01
This blue monochrome albarello is sparsely decorated with stylized vines and flowers and bands of blue dots and solid stripes.Currently not on view
Description
This blue monochrome albarello is sparsely decorated with stylized vines and flowers and bands of blue dots and solid stripes.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1500 - 1599
ID Number
1991.0664.0512
catalog number
M-05724
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 436
catalog number
1991.0664.0512
This albarello is painted with the image of a blue bird on a yellow background with green foliage and blue flowers. A white diagonal scroll reads Ilelrosa.exfo. in blue.An albarello is a type of jar made from tin-glazed earthenware known as Majolica.
Description
This albarello is painted with the image of a blue bird on a yellow background with green foliage and blue flowers. A white diagonal scroll reads Ilelrosa.exfo. in blue.
An albarello is a type of jar made from tin-glazed earthenware known as Majolica. This type of jar was used in apothecary shops from the time of the Middle Ages. Majolica pottery received its name from the Italian town of Majorca, where this style of earthenware was developed. The tin glaze of majolica resulted in an opaque whiteness that mimics porcelain. The jar would then be painted with vivid colors.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
16th century
Date made
1500 - 1599
ID Number
1991.0664.0531
catalog number
M-05743
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 455
catalog number
1991.0664.0531
This tin–glazed albarello was made in Siena, Italy during the 16th century. The jar is decorated with ochre wavy ribbons that flank green foliage and blue, yellow, and ochre flowers over a white glazed background.
Description
This tin–glazed albarello was made in Siena, Italy during the 16th century. The jar is decorated with ochre wavy ribbons that flank green foliage and blue, yellow, and ochre flowers over a white glazed background. A blue winged angel and a shield and a castle sit just above a blue and white band inscribed, V.PET TORA. The jar would have contained unguentum pectoral, an ointment to help alleviate a variety of chest pains and lung ailments.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
16th century
Date made
1500 - 1599
ID Number
1991.0664.0534
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05746
collector/donor number
SAP 458
catalog number
1991.0664.0534
This albarello has a stylized blue and yellow–brown floral motif. A green dragon resting in a footed cup is pictured in the center of the cartouche. Below the cartouche is an escroll inscribed with black lettering, MASTICI.
Description
This albarello has a stylized blue and yellow–brown floral motif. A green dragon resting in a footed cup is pictured in the center of the cartouche. Below the cartouche is an escroll inscribed with black lettering, MASTICI. Bands of blue and orange circle the neck and just above the base of the container. Pharmaceutical historian George Urdang in The Squibb Ancient Pharmacy Catalogue notes that this container and 1991.0664.0516 were painted by the same artist, based on the similar palates and decorative motifs. The jar contained mastic, a resin obtained from bark and used as a tonic and astringent.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
16th century
Date made
1500 - 1599
ID Number
1991.0664.0517
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05729
collector/donor number
SAP 441
catalog number
1991.0664.0517
This tin–glazed albarello container was made in Siena, Italy, during the 16th century. The jar has a foot and is decorated by wavy ochre ribbons flanked by green foliage and blue, yellow, and ochre flowers.
Description
This tin–glazed albarello container was made in Siena, Italy, during the 16th century. The jar has a foot and is decorated by wavy ochre ribbons flanked by green foliage and blue, yellow, and ochre flowers. A blue-winged angel and a shield and a castle sit just above a blue and white band inscribed, EMP. DYAFIN. The jar may have contained emplaster diachylon, a common plaster made with lead and olive oil that was used to cover wounds.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
16th century
Date made
1575 - 1599
ID Number
1991.0664.0533
catalog number
M-05745
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 457
catalog number
1991.0664.0533
This white albarello displays a blue shield divided into four sections with depictions of two castles and two lions. A yellow–brownish free–form label below the shield has been left blank, to be filled in by the apothecary.Currently not on view
Description
This white albarello displays a blue shield divided into four sections with depictions of two castles and two lions. A yellow–brownish free–form label below the shield has been left blank, to be filled in by the apothecary.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1575 - 1599
ID Number
1991.0664.0518
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05730
collector/donor number
SAP 442
catalog number
1991.0664.0518
This blue monochrome albarello is decorated with cobalt blue vines and leaves. The escroll in the center of the container is inscribed with gothic script that reads U di calce. The jar would have contained unguentum di calce, or ointment of chalk.
Description
This blue monochrome albarello is decorated with cobalt blue vines and leaves. The escroll in the center of the container is inscribed with gothic script that reads U di calce. The jar would have contained unguentum di calce, or ointment of chalk. The ointment, made of chalk, wax, and oil of roses was used as a salve on burns.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1500
Date made
1500 - 1599
ID Number
1991.0664.0494
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05706
collector/donor number
SAP 418
catalog number
1991.0664.0494
This syrup jar dates to the 16th century and was made in Siena, Italy. With a long straight spout and an applied strap handle, it is decorated with yellow bands and green foliage. A blue and white band just below the handle is inscribed S. DIAMORON.
Description
This syrup jar dates to the 16th century and was made in Siena, Italy. With a long straight spout and an applied strap handle, it is decorated with yellow bands and green foliage. A blue and white band just below the handle is inscribed S. DIAMORON. The strap handle is painted yellow. A blue-winged angel is surrounded by delicate ochre wines and flowers above a shield and castle. This syrup jar and two other albarelli, 1991.0664.0533 and .0534, are from the same set. S. DIAMORON is a syrup made from mulberries.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
16th century
Date made
1575 - 1599
ID Number
1991.0664.0532
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05744
collector/donor number
SAP 456
catalog number
1991.0664.0532
This blue monochrome albarello is decorated with a vine and flora motif. Bands of cross-hatching are above and below the collars, and an scroll is inscribed with gothic script that reads BOL ARMNIC” The jar would have contained Armenian bole.
Description
This blue monochrome albarello is decorated with a vine and flora motif. Bands of cross-hatching are above and below the collars, and an scroll is inscribed with gothic script that reads BOL ARMNIC” The jar would have contained Armenian bole. Bole, or bolus (Latin for ball) were balls of clay with medicine mixed in that were either taken internally or applied externally to injured areas. Armenian bole would contain clay from Armenia that contained aluminum silicate and red iron.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1500 - 1599
ID Number
1991.0664.0511
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05723
collector/donor number
SAP 435
catalog number
1991.0664.0511
This albarello drug jar is decorated predominantly in blue with yellow–green accents. The center of the jar features profiles of two men within an oval.Currently not on view
Description
This albarello drug jar is decorated predominantly in blue with yellow–green accents. The center of the jar features profiles of two men within an oval.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1500 - 1599
ID Number
1991.0664.0521
catalog number
M-05733
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 445
catalog number
1991.0664.0521
Woodcut portrait of Andreas Planer (1546-1606), professor of philosophy and medicine at the university in Tübingen. Planer was also known as Athesinus. The inscription at bottom reads “IFL 1599.”Currently not on view
Description
Woodcut portrait of Andreas Planer (1546-1606), professor of philosophy and medicine at the university in Tübingen. Planer was also known as Athesinus. The inscription at bottom reads “IFL 1599.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1590
ID Number
1991.0664.0049
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-06234
collector/donor number
SAP 927

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