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.

Date: 1860s

Dissecting Set

This dissecting set was issued by the United States Hospital Department. There is an octagonal brass medallion engraved, U. S. A./Hosp. Dept. in the lid.
Description (Brief)
This dissecting set was issued by the United States Hospital Department. There is an octagonal brass medallion engraved, U. S. A./Hosp. Dept. in the lid. The set contains three ivory handled scalpels, one steel scalpel, one steel blade and a universal handle, one tool which may have been used as a chisel but is not original to the set, three hooks to chains on a ring, one pair of straight scissors, and one blowpipe. The original chisel and forceps are missing.
The black and gold oval label on the interior of the case reads G. TIEMANN & CO./MANUFACTURERS/OF/SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS/63 CHATHAM ST N.Y..
The Tiemann Company was founded by George Tiemann (1793-1868), who immigrated to the United States in 1826 from Germany. The company resided at this address from 1855 to 1863.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1861-1864
maker
George Tiemann and Company
ID Number
1978.0605.02
catalog number
1978.0605.02
accession number
1978.0605

Dr. Mary Walker

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
depicted (sitter)
Walker, Mary Ellen McMurry
ID Number
1977.0564.01
accession number
1977.0564
catalog number
1977.0564.01

Ship's Surgical Kit

This wooden surgical case with brass fittings has three main compartments, one of which is a tray that lifts out from the lower case. The interior of the case is molded so that each instrument has its own compartment. The entire interior is lined with purple velvet.
Description (Brief)
This wooden surgical case with brass fittings has three main compartments, one of which is a tray that lifts out from the lower case. The interior of the case is molded so that each instrument has its own compartment. The entire interior is lined with purple velvet. The exterior of the lid has an oval escutcheon which is marked, "U.S.A./ Hosp. Dept." The set includes 45 instruments, three of which are not original to the set. At least six instruments are missing, including four knives and a bandage scissors.
During the Civil War the United States Army contracted with several surgical instrument makers, including Herman Hernstein to provide surgical sets for the Union troops.
As a young boy in Germany Hermann Hernstein was apprenticed to a surgical instrument maker. He came to the United States in 1841 and settled in New York City. Within a few years, he had established his own shop.
According to Edmonson much of Hernstein’s inventory was imported from Europe.
Description
Surgical kits were not required on merchant vessels, but the larger and better-equipped ships often carried them. These were used for everything from pulling teeth to the amputation of limbs, and everything in between. Like the medicine chests, these kits too were often sold with simple pamphlets, with instructions and diagrams on how to use them in emergencies. The captain or first mate most commonly carried out any needed procedures.
date made
1862-1865
maker
Hermann Hernstein & Son
ID Number
1977.1103.01
accession number
1977.1103
catalog number
1977.1103.01

Tourniquet

Tourniquet devised by Jacob Dunton (1835-1897), a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy with several patents to his name.Ref: Jacob Dunton, “Improvement in Tourniquets,” U.S. Patent 37,156 (Dec. 16, 1862).Currently not on view
Description
Tourniquet devised by Jacob Dunton (1835-1897), a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy with several patents to his name.
Ref: Jacob Dunton, “Improvement in Tourniquets,” U.S. Patent 37,156 (Dec. 16, 1862).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 12-16-1862
maker
Dunton, Jacob
ID Number
1980.0399.0077
catalog number
1980.0399.0077
accession number
1980.0399

Ayer's Hair Vigor

Made by J. C.
Description
Made by J. C. Ayer and Company, Practical and Analytical Chemists, Lowell, Mass., in the 1860s, Ayer’s Hair Vigor "Restores grey hair to its natural vitality and color," but "does not color the hair." Advertisements pronounced that it was "free from uncleanly dangerous or injurious substances" and that it would cure dandruff and stop falling hair. Patented in 1868, this was the only Ayer product to have a patent, although the company sold a variety of health-related products popularly known as "patent medicines."
Along with these other medicines, Ayer’s Hair Vigor was advertised in Ayer’s American Almanac, which was first published in the mid-19th century and continued into the 1920s. The almanac featured astronomical, astrological, and weather information for the year, as well as medical advice promoting the company’s products.
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For Restoring the Natural Vitality and Color of the Hair
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1867
associated date
1867
maker
Dr. J. C. Ayer and Company
ID Number
1979.0798.234
accession number
1979.0798
catalog number
1979.0798.234

Ophthalmoscope

In 1851, Hermann von Helmholtz, a German professor of physiology, devised an ophthalmoscope for examining the interior of an eye. This item is an example of the modification of that instrument developed by Richard Liebreich (1830-1917), a German ophthalmologist.
Description
In 1851, Hermann von Helmholtz, a German professor of physiology, devised an ophthalmoscope for examining the interior of an eye. This item is an example of the modification of that instrument developed by Richard Liebreich (1830-1917), a German ophthalmologist. An inscription in the lid of the box reads “OTTO & REYNDERS / SURGL. INSTS. / TRUSSES / 58 CHATHAM ST. N.Y.” Ferdinand Otto and John Reynders (fl. 1860-1875) made and sold surgical and medical instruments. In 1864 they moved from 58 Chatham St. to 64 Chatham St.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1860-1864
user
John King, M.D.
maker
Otto & Reynders
ID Number
MG.M-02045
catalog number
M-02045
accession number
83997

Vaccinator

Steel vaccinator with “WHITTEMORE’S / PATENT / FEB. 20, 1866” and “MADE BY / CODMAN & SHURTLEFF / BOSTON” inscriptions. Amos Whittemore was an inventive machinist in Cambridge, Mass.Ref: Amos Whittemore, “Improvement in Vaccinators,” U.S. Patent 52,921 (Feb.
Description
Steel vaccinator with “WHITTEMORE’S / PATENT / FEB. 20, 1866” and “MADE BY / CODMAN & SHURTLEFF / BOSTON” inscriptions. Amos Whittemore was an inventive machinist in Cambridge, Mass.
Ref: Amos Whittemore, “Improvement in Vaccinators,” U.S. Patent 52,921 (Feb. 20, 1866).
Codman & Shurtleff, Illustrated Catalogue of Surgical Instruments (Boston, 1875), p. 84.
Location
Currently not on view
patent date
1866-02-21
maker
Codman & Shurtleff
ID Number
2012.0165.348
catalog number
2012.0165.348
accession number
2012.0165

Surgical Set

Case of instruments owned John B. Cline (1826-1899), a surgeon from France who was trained in the United States, and served as a surgeon with the Union Army during the Civil War. The “G. TIEMANN & CO. / MANUFACTURERS / OF / SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS / 68 CHATHAM ST.
Description
Case of instruments owned John B. Cline (1826-1899), a surgeon from France who was trained in the United States, and served as a surgeon with the Union Army during the Civil War. The “G. TIEMANN & CO. / MANUFACTURERS / OF / SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS / 68 CHATHAM ST. N.Y.” label was in use ca. 1855-1864.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1861-1864
associated dates
1861-1864
issuing authority
United States Army
company owner
Tiemann, George
Associated Name
George Tiemann and Company
maker
George Tiemann & Company
ID Number
COLL.SURGKIT.000001
catalog number
1991.0858.01
accession number
1991.0858

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