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.

Name: Lydia E. Pinkham Medicine Company

Lydia E. Pinkham's Liver Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For constipation, biliousness and torpidity of the liverCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For constipation, biliousness and torpidity of the liver
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1908-1918
maker
Lydia E. Pinkham Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1342
catalog number
293320.1342
accession number
293320

Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:Recommended as a vegetable tonic in conditions for which this preparation is adapted. In use for over 50 years.Dose: A tablespoonful every four hours through the day.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
Recommended as a vegetable tonic in conditions for which this preparation is adapted. In use for over 50 years.
Dose: A tablespoonful every four hours through the day. Shake the bottle before using.
Lydia Pinkham’s Vegetable Compound was prescribed for “all those Painful Complaints and Weaknesses so common to our best female population . . . and is particularly adapted to the Change of Life.”
date made
ca 1920s
maker
Lydia E. Pinkham Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1616
accession number
293320
catalog number
293320.1616

Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Recommended as a vegetable tonic in conditions for which this preparation is adaptedCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Recommended as a vegetable tonic in conditions for which this preparation is adapted
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1906
date made
ca 1923
maker
Lydia E. Pinkham Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1329
catalog number
293320.1329
accession number
293320

Lydia E. Pinkham's Herb Medicine

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:A purely vegetable alterative tonicCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
A purely vegetable alterative tonic
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1930
maker
Lydia E. Pinkham Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup44]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:A sure cure for prolapsis uteris or falling of the womb and all female weaknesses, including leucorrhoea, irregular and painful menstruation, inflammation and ulceration of the womb, flooding, diseases o
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
A sure cure for prolapsis uteris or falling of the womb and all female weaknesses, including leucorrhoea, irregular and painful menstruation, inflammation and ulceration of the womb, flooding, diseases of the kidneys. For all weakness of the generative organs of either sex, it is second to no remedy that has ever been before the public, and for all diseases of the kidneys it is the greatest remedy in the world.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1890
after 1873
maker
Lydia E. Pinkham Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1330
catalog number
293320.1330
accession number
293320

Lydia E. Pinkham's Sanative Wash

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920
maker
Lydia E. Pinkham Medicine Company
ID Number
2008.0062.09
accession number
2008.0062
catalog number
2008.0062.09

Lydia E. Pinkham Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For relieving hot flashes and certain other symptoms of "Change of Life" (Menopause) and cramps and other distress of Monthly Periods (Menstruation) - not due to organic disease. Acts as a uterine sedative.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For relieving hot flashes and certain other symptoms of "Change of Life" (Menopause) and cramps and other distress of Monthly Periods (Menstruation) - not due to organic disease. Acts as a uterine sedative. Taken as directed these tablets are also an iron tonic and help build rich, red blood and restore energy, help relieve that "Too Tired" feeling, in simple iron deficiency anemia.
date made
after 1949
maker
Lydia E. Pinkham Medicine Company
ID Number
2008.0018.085
catalog number
2008.0018.085
accession number
2008.0018

Lydia E. Pinkham's Sanative Wash

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:Directions for using the sanative wash: Steep one-fourth of the package in sufficient water to make one pint after it is strained.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
Directions for using the sanative wash: Steep one-fourth of the package in sufficient water to make one pint after it is strained. When the discharge is very profuse, use one-half of this, adding to it one pint of warm water, daily, as a vaginal injection.
For leucorrhoea and Inflamation; use daily as a vaginal douche. Dry form - steep to use; also available in liquid form.
date made
ca 1920
maker
Lydia E. Pinkham Medicine Company
ID Number
2008.0062.08
accession number
2008.0062
catalog number
2008.0062.08

Lydia E. Pinkham's Pills for Constipation

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For producing bowel movements. Tiny vegetable laxative pills that are easy to swallow.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For producing bowel movements. Tiny vegetable laxative pills that are easy to swallow. Adults: Some persons may need stronger laxatives than others and according to such needs one to three pills should be taken at bedtime, as indicated for occasional constipation. Not for use by children. Caution: not to be used when abdominal pain (stomach ache, cramps, colic) nausea, vomiting (stomach sickness) or other symptoms of appendicitis are present. Frequent or continued use of this preparation may result in dependence on laxatives.
date made
ca 1930
maker
Lydia E. Pinkham Medicine Company
ID Number
1978.0883.198
accession number
1978.0883
catalog number
1978.0883.198

Lydia E. Pinkham's Herb Medicine

Recommended as an alterative tonic in conditions for which this preparation is adapted. Directions are to take one tablespoon three times per day, one half hour before meals. Shake bottle before using.
Description
Recommended as an alterative tonic in conditions for which this preparation is adapted. Directions are to take one tablespoon three times per day, one half hour before meals. Shake bottle before using. Caution: This preparation includes small amounts of ingredients to which some persons are susceptible or allergic, and in rare instances temporary ringing of the ears, a skin rash, or visual disturbances may occur. Under such circumstances discontinue use until the symptoms disappear, then begin again with one-half the usual dosage. If the above symptoms recur, discontinue use.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1940
maker
Lydia E. Pinkham Medicine Company
ID Number
1979.0798.019
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.019

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