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: Saint Louis

Listerine

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Lambert Pharmacal Company
ID Number
1985.0481.406
accession number
1985.0481
catalog number
1985.0481.406

Aloe Precision Tuberculin Syringe, 1 cc.

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950s
maker
A. S. Aloe and Company
ID Number
1981.0895.002
accession number
1980.0895
catalog number
198.0895.002

Rexall Coconut Castile Shampoo

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Rexall Drug Company
ID Number
1985.0481.366
catalog number
1985.0481.366
accession number
1985.0481

Tongaline Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For rheumatism, neuralgia, la grippe, nervous headache, gout, sciatica, or wherever the salicylates are indicatedCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For rheumatism, neuralgia, la grippe, nervous headache, gout, sciatica, or wherever the salicylates are indicated
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1908-1918
maker
Mellier Drug Company
ID Number
MG.M-10413.49
catalog number
M-10413
accession number
246707

Hayes' Healing Honey Compound

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For coughs, colds, and spasmodic croup; relieves ordinary sore throatCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For coughs, colds, and spasmodic croup; relieves ordinary sore throat
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1920
maker
Paris Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.M-10426.21
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

Burdock Blood Bitters

Dyspepsia and stomach troubles.Currently not on view
Description
Dyspepsia and stomach troubles.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920
maker
Foster-Milburn Company
ID Number
MG.274347.267
catalog number
274347.267
accession number
274347

Ballard's Horehound Syrup

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For the instant relief and certain cure of consumption, coughs, colds, asthma, dry hacking cough, loss of voice, irritation of throat, soreness of chest, croup, spitting of blood, influenza, lung fever, whoopin
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For the instant relief and certain cure of consumption, coughs, colds, asthma, dry hacking cough, loss of voice, irritation of throat, soreness of chest, croup, spitting of blood, influenza, lung fever, whooping cough, etc.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1885
maker
James F. Ballard
Ballard Snow Liniment Company
ID Number
MG.M-10409.17
catalog number
M-10409
accession number
246707

Papine

[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
ca 1900
maker
Battle and Company Chemists Corporation
ID Number
MG.293320.1394
catalog number
293320.1394
accession number
293320

NR Jrs, Nature's Remedy

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Acts on stomach, kidneys, liver and bowelsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Acts on stomach, kidneys, liver and bowels
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1930
maker
A. H. Lewis Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1258
accession number
293320
catalog number
293320.1258

Caffeine Citrated, U.S. P.

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer, or as found in contemporary medical literature, are:For use as a cerebral stimulant [Remington's Practice of Pharmacy, Seventh Edition, 1926]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:
For use as a cerebral stimulant [Remington's Practice of Pharmacy, Seventh Edition, 1926]
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1913-1920
maker
Mallinckrodt Chemical Works
ID Number
MG.M-10739
catalog number
M-10739
accession number
256193

Salfene

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For pain and fever. Antipyretic, anodyne, sedative, anti-neuralgia and anti-rheumatic.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For pain and fever. Antipyretic, anodyne, sedative, anti-neuralgia and anti-rheumatic.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1898
maker
Salfene Chemical Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1364
catalog number
293320.1364
accession number
293320

Brown's Iron Bitters Compound

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For indigestion, intermittent fevers, want of appetite, nervous prostration, fainting, lack of energy, malaria, heartburn, dyspeptic symptomsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For indigestion, intermittent fevers, want of appetite, nervous prostration, fainting, lack of energy, malaria, heartburn, dyspeptic symptoms
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1906
after 1908
maker
Brown's Iron Bitters Company
ID Number
MG.M-10426.47
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

Kickapoo Oil

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For toothache, headache, sore throat, chilblains, frostbites, cuts, burns, sprains, bruises, neuralgia and rheumatic painsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For toothache, headache, sore throat, chilblains, frostbites, cuts, burns, sprains, bruises, neuralgia and rheumatic pains
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1919
1919-1938
ID Number
MG.M-10426.15
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

Swaim's Panacea

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:An alterative and blood purifierCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
An alterative and blood purifier
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1906
maker
Swaim's Laboratory
ID Number
MG.M-10426.25
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

Electric Brand Laxative

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
after 1938
after 1917
ID Number
MG.293320.1321
catalog number
293320.1321
accession number
293320

Millrue Iron Tonic Hematinic Stomachic

Iron tonic, hematinin, stomachic, digestive aid; To increase the hemoglobin of the blood, An effective tonic for simple anemia (iron deficiency) and in the treatment of Vitamin B1, B2, and niacin deficiencies. An excellent stomachic and digestive aidCurrently not on view
Description
Iron tonic, hematinin, stomachic, digestive aid; To increase the hemoglobin of the blood, An effective tonic for simple anemia (iron deficiency) and in the treatment of Vitamin B1, B2, and niacin deficiencies. An excellent stomachic and digestive aid
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1938
manufacturer
Millpax, Inc.
ID Number
MG.274347.215
catalog number
274347.215
accession number
274347

Dr. J. H. McLean's Tar Wine Lung Balm

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Remedy for the treatment of coughs, colds, and diseases of the throat and lungsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Remedy for the treatment of coughs, colds, and diseases of the throat and lungs
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1906
after 1906
maker
Dr. J. H. McLean Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1246
accession number
293320
catalog number
293320.1246

Dr. Hobson's Laxative Santonin Worm Syrup

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For the removal of round worms and pin wormsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For the removal of round worms and pin worms
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1921
ID Number
MG.M-10426.03
catalog number
M-10426
maker number
No. 116
accession number
246707

Nature's Oil or Pain Destroyer

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For rheumatism, neuralgia, headache, sprains, bruises, scalds, toothache, lame back, bites and stings of insectsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For rheumatism, neuralgia, headache, sprains, bruises, scalds, toothache, lame back, bites and stings of insects
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1901
maker
A. H. Lewis Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1262
accession number
293320
catalog number
293320.1262

Simmons Liver Regulator or Medicine

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For disorders of the liver; sick headache arising from bilious condition; constipation of the bowels; sour stomach; biliousnessCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For disorders of the liver; sick headache arising from bilious condition; constipation of the bowels; sour stomach; biliousness
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1900
maker
J. H. Zeilin and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10410.01
catalog number
M-10410.01
accession number
246707

Hollis' Jaundice Bitters

These bitters have been employed with uncommon advantage in jaundice, weakness of the stomach and general debility.
Description
These bitters have been employed with uncommon advantage in jaundice, weakness of the stomach and general debility. thier effects are peculiarily invigorating on the stomach and bowels, and are beneficial in removing costiveness produced by weakness of the intestines; they strenghten the digestive organs, create an appetite, and communicate vigor to the stomach without producing head-ache, oppression, &c, which many bitters usually bring on; they are gratefully aromatic, and moderately cathartic, and are particularly serviceable in removing urinal obstructions.
Directions: One paper of these bitters may be infused in one quart of wine or spirit for two or three days, frequently shaking the bottle, and after settling, the clear may be taken in doses of one or two table spoonsfulls two or three times a day, before eating; it may be taken clear, on sugar, or diluted with water, or any other way most agreeable; or pour upon the bitters one quart of boiling water, steep three or four hours, and when cold add one gill of brandy or any kind of spirit merely to prevent it from souring - or the bitters may be divided into two or four equal parts, one of which may be infused at a time in hot water; when cold, the infusion should be strained, and kept in a cool place in warm weather.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1850s
1872 - 1883
maker
Hollis, Thomas
ID Number
MG.M-10757.027
catalog number
M-10757.027
accession number
256193

Bewino

tonic; stomach appetizer and stimulantCurrently not on view
Description
tonic; stomach appetizer and stimulant
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1931
maker
Erbru Roots and Herbs Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.274347.163
catalog number
274347.163
accession number
274347

NR Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Works on the stomach, liver, kidneys and bowels. Cures constipation.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Works on the stomach, liver, kidneys and bowels. Cures constipation.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1906
Associated Name
A. H. Lewis Medicine Co.
maker
A. H. Lewis Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1261
accession number
293320
catalog number
293320.1261

Lallemand Rheumatism, Gout & Neuralgia Treatment

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For rheumatism, gout, and neuralgiaCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For rheumatism, gout, and neuralgia
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1906
maker
Prickly Ash Bitters Company
ID Number
MG.M-10426.16
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.