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: Illinois

DeWitt's D. & C. Expectorant

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For coughs due to colds, and soothing for minor bronchial and throat irritations caused by colds.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For coughs due to colds, and soothing for minor bronchial and throat irritations caused by colds.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1940
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
1979.0798.080
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.080

Crane's Quinine and Tar Compound

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer, or as found in contemporary medical literature, are:An Expectorant for Coughs, Colds, Hoarseness, Tickling in throat, Bronchial Coughs, and Coughs resulting from La Grippe.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:
An Expectorant for Coughs, Colds, Hoarseness, Tickling in throat, Bronchial Coughs, and Coughs resulting from La Grippe.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
before 1975
before 1975
before 1975
before 1975
1908-1918
maker
Crane Medicine Co.
ID Number
MG.314016.068
catalog number
314016.68
accession number
314016

Canthrox Granular Shampoo

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
H.S. Peterson & Co.
ID Number
1979.0798.229
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.229

Johnson's Baby Oil

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Johnson and Johnson
ID Number
1985.0516.061
catalog number
1985.0516.061
accession number
1985.0516

Lanolin Plus Creme Rinse

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1985.0481.324
catalog number
1985.0481.324
accession number
1985.0481

Lady Esther Complete Creme Make-up, Stardust

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950
maker
Lady Esther Ltd.
ID Number
1988.3089.308
catalog number
1988.3089.308
nonaccession number
1988.3089

Krank's Brushless Shave Kreem

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Consolidated Royal Chemical Corporation
ID Number
1980.0698.123
accession number
1980.0698
catalog number
1980.0698.123

Spurmax for Making Face Lotion

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
H.S. Peterson & Co.
ID Number
1979.0798.202
catalog number
1979.0798.202
accession number
1979.0798

Health Care is for People Not for Profit

A 1975 poster created by the Women's Graphics CollectiveCurrently not on view
Description
A 1975 poster created by the Women's Graphics Collective
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1975
copyright date
1975
associated institution
Women's Graphics Collective
maker
Women's Graphics Collective
ID Number
1977.0660.11
accession number
1977.0660
catalog number
1977.0660.11

Pax Toothache Plasters

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: These Plasters give speedy relief from pain caused by Ulcerated Teeth, Exposed Nerves and Neuralgia.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: These Plasters give speedy relief from pain caused by Ulcerated Teeth, Exposed Nerves and Neuralgia.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Bauer & Black
ID Number
1978.0235.288
accession number
1978.0235
catalog number
1978.0235.288

Partola Laxative

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: An aid to good health. Candy laxative and internal antiseptic.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: An aid to good health. Candy laxative and internal antiseptic.
Date made
after 1923
copyright date (on packaging)
1919
maker
Partola Products Co.
ID Number
1979.0798.408
catalog number
1979.0798.408
accession number
1979.0798

Meds Tampons

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Personal Products Corporation
ID Number
1985.0460.240
catalog number
1985.0460.240
accession number
1985.0460

Modess, Regular Size

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1951
maker
Personal Products Corporation
ID Number
1985.0475.615
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.615

Dr Pierre's Boro-Pheno-Form

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:An inhibitory antiseptic for vaginal useCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
An inhibitory antiseptic for vaginal use
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1915
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Dr. Pierre Chemical Co.
ID Number
1984.0351.055
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.055

Ophthalmetrope

An ophthalmetrope is a mechanical model of an eye (or eyes). This example is based on the design of Jacob Hermann Knapp (1832-1911), a German ophthalmologist who moved to the United States in 1868 and settled in New York City.Ref: Max Kohl, Physical Apparatus 50 (Chemnitz), pp.
Description
An ophthalmetrope is a mechanical model of an eye (or eyes). This example is based on the design of Jacob Hermann Knapp (1832-1911), a German ophthalmologist who moved to the United States in 1868 and settled in New York City.
Ref: Max Kohl, Physical Apparatus 50 (Chemnitz), pp. 522-523.
A. S. Aloe Co., Aloe’s Illustrated and Priced Catalogue of Superior Surgical Instruments, Physicians’ Supplies and Hospital Furnishings (St. Louis, [1903]), p. 170.
Ref: C. H. Stoelting Co., Psychological and Physiological Apparatus and Supplies (Chicago, 1930), pp. 194-195.
Location
Currently not on view
used at
Skidmore College
maker
C. H. Stoelting Company
Max Kohl
ID Number
MG.311423.14
catalog number
311423.14
accession number
311423

Bobbi Pincurl Permanent Refill Kit

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Gillette Company
ID Number
1984.0351.323
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.323

Slick Black - Colors Gray Hair Black in 1 Minute / Straightens Temporarily / Dresses and Imparts Black Color

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Valmor Products Co.
ID Number
1986.0873.02
catalog number
1986.0873.02
accession number
1986.0873

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

Sylvan Violet Toilet Talcum Powder

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Armour and Company
ID Number
1979.0798.288
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.288

Dewitt's Baby Cough Syrup

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging: For infants' and children's coughs due to coldsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging: For infants' and children's coughs due to colds
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1950
Associated Name
Tupper's Pharmacy
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
1980.0698.046
accession number
1980.0698
catalog number
1980.0698.046

Dr. Blumers Dentone Tooth Paste

The inscription on the cardboard case reads “Dr.
Description
The inscription on the cardboard case reads “Dr. Blumers / DENTONE / A / SUPERIOR / TOOTH / PASTE / MAKES / WHITE / TEETH / ITS USE / INSURES / A CLEAN / PURE / MOUTH / LINCOLN CHEMICAL WORKS / CHICAGO.” Robert Blumer (1854-1946), who may have been an immigrant from Germany or Switzerland, established the Robert Blumer Laboratory, on Lincoln Ave., in Chicago. By 1924, now trading as the Lincoln Chemical Works, the firm was manufacturing patent medicines, ointments, pills, tonics, and such.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Lincoln Chemical Works
ID Number
1982.0030.02
accession number
1982.0030
catalog number
1982.0030.02

Cascarets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For the cure of chronic constipation. Liver stimulant, strengthen the bowels, make pure blood.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For the cure of chronic constipation. Liver stimulant, strengthen the bowels, make pure blood.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1908-1918
maker
Sterling Remedy Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1201
catalog number
293320.1201
accession number
293320

Dr. Peter's Lozogo

Embossed clear glass bottle with green metal screw cap and a white paper label with green print. "A time-proven family medicine compounded of foreign and domestic herbs and botanicals." 18 fluid ounces. Bottle is 3/4 full of dark brown liquid.
Description
Embossed clear glass bottle with green metal screw cap and a white paper label with green print. "A time-proven family medicine compounded of foreign and domestic herbs and botanicals." 18 fluid ounces. Bottle is 3/4 full of dark brown liquid. Price $1.50.
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Laxative. Stomachic. Carminative. For relief from functional constipation, and, when these troubles are due to constipation, for relief from nervousness, indigestion, upset stomach, headaches, loss of sleep and appetite, flatulence, foul breath and coated tongue. It creates a feeling of warmth in the stomach. It helps expel gas from the stomach and intestines...[label cut off]
In 1892, the manufacturer Peter Fahrney patented a special design for a bottle or flask.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1922
trademark registration date (Dr. Peter's Lozogo)
1922-08-01
maker
Dr. Peter Fahrney and Sons Company
ID Number
1979.0798.023
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.023

DeWitt's Catarrhal Cream

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For nasal catarrh, cold in the head and inflammation of the nasal passages. Cleansing, antiseptic and germicidal.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For nasal catarrh, cold in the head and inflammation of the nasal passages. Cleansing, antiseptic and germicidal.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1920s
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
1984.0351.042
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.042

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