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.

Magic Cure for Chills and All Fevers

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:Cures malarial fevers, headaches, dyspepsia, neuralgia, rheumatism, piles, costivenessCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
Cures malarial fevers, headaches, dyspepsia, neuralgia, rheumatism, piles, costiveness
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1875-1883
maker
George Tallcot
ID Number
1989.0711.31
accession number
1989.0711
catalog number
1989.0711.31

FL: VISC: H

This opaque white blown-glass jar has a short neck, flared lip, and applied stepped foot. The opaqueness of the glass comes from the addition of tin oxide in an attempt to mimic porcelain. A stylized blue wreath with red and yellow flowers is capped by a yellow crown.
Description
This opaque white blown-glass jar has a short neck, flared lip, and applied stepped foot. The opaqueness of the glass comes from the addition of tin oxide in an attempt to mimic porcelain. A stylized blue wreath with red and yellow flowers is capped by a yellow crown. The wreath frames the label EL VISC H in black text. This jar would have contained Flowers of Viscus, also known as the flowers of mistletoe and was used to expel poisons.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0472
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05621
collector/donor number
SAP 333
catalog number
1991.0664.0472

Hostetter's Celebrated Stomachic Bitters

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:A good general tonic. Beneficial in convalescence. An excellent stimulant to the appetite. A carminative; mildly laxative; beneficial in colic due to gas.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
A good general tonic. Beneficial in convalescence. An excellent stimulant to the appetite. A carminative; mildly laxative; beneficial in colic due to gas.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1889
after 1915
maker
Hostetter Company
ID Number
1989.0711.22
accession number
1989.0711
catalog number
1989.0711.22

LIQ MAGN SULPH

This blown and molded glass bottle has a narrow neck, a flared lip, and a spherical shaped glass stopper. The bottle has a blue, white, and yellow baked enamel shield. The label is marked LIQ MAGN SULPH in black, with the first initial of each word in red.
Description
This blown and molded glass bottle has a narrow neck, a flared lip, and a spherical shaped glass stopper. The bottle has a blue, white, and yellow baked enamel shield. The label is marked LIQ MAGN SULPH in black, with the first initial of each word in red. This bottle would have contained liquid magnesium sulphate, commonly known as Epsom salt which was used as a mild cathartic, diuretic, and diaphoretic.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th-19th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0437
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05586
collector/donor number
SAP 298
catalog number
1991.0664.0437.01
1991.0664.0437.02

Carrel flask

From the 1920s through the 1950s biologists and medical researchers made a concerted effort to solve the problem of tissue culture—how to raise and maintain cells for scientific research.
Description (Brief)
From the 1920s through the 1950s biologists and medical researchers made a concerted effort to solve the problem of tissue culture—how to raise and maintain cells for scientific research. Part of the challenge was to create a home outside the body in which cells could survive.
Early methods of cell culture relied on the hanging-drop technique, in which tissue grew in a plasma clot suspended from a glass slide. The hanging-drop technique, however, posed several problems: cells in a clot were difficult to view under the microscope, cultures could not grow to a large size, and specimens were prone to contamination.
To address these issues, surgeon Alexis Carrel (1873–1944) of the Rockefeller Institute developed a new vessel for tissue culture, which came to bear his name. The Carrel flask featured an angled neck to prevent airborne particles from falling into the flask when it was open. Technicians could also sterilized the neck with a flame both before and after adding or removing nutrient broth.
The flask’s round flat base and in some cases, the use of thin, optically optimized glass facilitated the viewing of specimens under a microscope without removing them from their vessel.
This object was used in Dr. Wilton Earle’s (1902–1964) laboratory at the National Cancer Institute. Earle joined NCI in 1937 and served as head of its Tissue Culture Section from 1946 to 1964. He and his researchers were pioneers in the use of tissue culture for cancer research.
Sources:
Carrel, Alexis. “Tissue Culture and Cell Physiology.” Physiological Reviews 4, no. 1 (1924): 1–20.
Landecker, Hannah. Culturing Life: How Cells Became Technologies. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 2007.
National Museum of American History Accession Files 1991.0071 & 1997.0139
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1930s-1950s
ID Number
1991.0071.16
catalog number
1991.0071.16
accession number
1991.0071

BALS IRIS ANIS

This blown and molded square-shaped bottle has an applied neck and a flared collar. The clear glass is decorated with a baked enamel cartouche with a white shield on a blue background. The shield is framed by a yellow C scroll design and capped by a crown.
Description
This blown and molded square-shaped bottle has an applied neck and a flared collar. The clear glass is decorated with a baked enamel cartouche with a white shield on a blue background. The shield is framed by a yellow C scroll design and capped by a crown. George Urdang author of The Squibb Ancient Pharmacy Catalogue attributes this bottle to the Court Pharmacy of Pillnitz which today is a city quarter in eastern Dresden, Germany. The bottle is marked BALS IRIS ANIS with red initial letters and the alchemical symbol for sulphur.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0188
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05336
1991.0664.188
collector/donor number
SAP 45

ESS CASS LIGN

This square-shaped blown and molded glass apothecary bottle, and illustrated on page 24 of The Squibb Ancient Apothecary Catalogue, has a baked enamel baroque-style blue and yellow cartouche on its front.
Description
This square-shaped blown and molded glass apothecary bottle, and illustrated on page 24 of The Squibb Ancient Apothecary Catalogue, has a baked enamel baroque-style blue and yellow cartouche on its front. It is labeled ESS CASS LIGN in black, with the first letter of each word in red. The jar would have contained an essence of cassia lignum, or cassia tree leaves or bark steeped in an alcohol solution, which was used as a laxative.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
17th-18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0343
catalog number
M-05492
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 204
catalog number
1991.0664.0343

Syrup Jar

This ovoid syrup jar has a flared foot, pinched spout, and an applied handle. The jar is decorated with deep yellow, blue, green, and grey motifs including a double–headed eagle holding a golden shield.
Description
This ovoid syrup jar has a flared foot, pinched spout, and an applied handle. The jar is decorated with deep yellow, blue, green, and grey motifs including a double–headed eagle holding a golden shield. The foot is decorated with blue and yellow concentric circles.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0578
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05790
collector/donor number
SAP 502
catalog number
1991.0664.0578

MAG MARCASIT

This blown and molded square jar has a flared lip. The white oval baked enamel shield is framed by a chain of blue leaves interspersed with four yellow flowers. The container is marked MAG MARCASIT in black lettering.The jar would have contained Magistery of Marcasite.
Description
This blown and molded square jar has a flared lip. The white oval baked enamel shield is framed by a chain of blue leaves interspersed with four yellow flowers. The container is marked MAG MARCASIT in black lettering.
The jar would have contained Magistery of Marcasite. Marcasite is a white iron pyrite mineral. It would have been dissolved and purified in an acidic solution to create a magistery, a substance possessing healing or curative powers.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0220
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05368
collector/donor number
SAP 77
catalog number
1991.0664.0220

Martin Brendel

Portrait of Martin Brendel (1595-1647) was a pharmacist in Nuermberg.Currently not on view
Description
Portrait of Martin Brendel (1595-1647) was a pharmacist in Nuermberg.
Location
Currently not on view
depicted
Brendel, Martin
ID Number
1991.0664.0044
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-06213
collector/donor number
SAP 906

Taylor's Oil of Life - for Man or Beast

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For human flesh: cuts, burns, bruises, chilblains, frost bites, chapped hands, sore throat, diphtheria, rheumatism, piles, ear ache, etc.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For human flesh: cuts, burns, bruises, chilblains, frost bites, chapped hands, sore throat, diphtheria, rheumatism, piles, ear ache, etc. Internally: coughs, colds, croup, whooping cough, phthistic, asthma and kidney affections.
For horses: botts, belly ache, yellow water, coughs, colds, and horse distemper. Nothing like it for heaves and all sores, corks, galls and barbed wire fence cuts and flesh wounds of all kinds, and the scratches. For cattle: horn distemper, caked bags, cracked teats, etc.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1900
maker
G. C. Taylor Company
ID Number
1989.0711.57
catalog number
1989.0711.57
accession number
1989.0711

Skillet

This wrought-iron crucible has a bowl with three legs and a straight handle. One of the legs been replaced. The bowl is incised “*L*W*/1678.”Currently not on view
Description
This wrought-iron crucible has a bowl with three legs and a straight handle. One of the legs been replaced. The bowl is incised “*L*W*/1678.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1678
ID Number
1991.0664.0949
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-06345
collector/donor number
SAP 1037
catalog number
1991.0664.0949

AQ ANHALT

This square-shaped blown and molded apothecary jar has a baked enamel label marked AQ ANHALT. The European Apothecary Collection contains dozens of drug jars with this same embellishment.
Description
This square-shaped blown and molded apothecary jar has a baked enamel label marked AQ ANHALT. The European Apothecary Collection contains dozens of drug jars with this same embellishment. The generic blue and yellow decoration with its stylized crown above the cartouche is similar to glass drug jars in the collection of the Deutsche Apotheken Museum in Heidelberg, Germany.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0234
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05382
collector/donor number
SAP 91
catalog number
1991.0664.0234

Apothecary Jar: DIAGR

This glass urn-shaped widemouthed jar, with its oval cartouche of baked white enamel and blue stylized vines, and yellow crown is typical of German pharmaceutical containers of the 17th and 18th centuries. The label is marked DIAGR above the alchemical symbol for sulphur.
Description
This glass urn-shaped widemouthed jar, with its oval cartouche of baked white enamel and blue stylized vines, and yellow crown is typical of German pharmaceutical containers of the 17th and 18th centuries. The label is marked DIAGR above the alchemical symbol for sulphur. This jar is pictured on page 18 in the Squibb Ancient Pharmacy Catalogue.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
17th-18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0152
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05300
1991.0664.0152
collector/donor number
SAP 9

Apothecary Bottle

This 17th-century blown and molded glass bottle has a spiral pattern and a pewter top that is missing its cap. The bottom of the bottle is embossed with two marks, one round and the other in the form of a shield.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This 17th-century blown and molded glass bottle has a spiral pattern and a pewter top that is missing its cap. The bottom of the bottle is embossed with two marks, one round and the other in the form of a shield.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1991.0664.1046
catalog number
M-06110
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 822
catalog number
1991.0664.1046

Lo que Ud. debe saber acerca de los contraceptivos orales

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1990.3201.09
catalog number
1990.3201.09
nonaccession number
1990.3201

EMETIC

This baked enamel label is marked, EMETIC", along with the alchemical symbol for Tartarus (Tartar). Emetic Tartar is the same as Antimonium Tartarisatum. It was used to induce vomiting because of poisoning, intoxication, and other conditions.Currently not on view
Description
This baked enamel label is marked, EMETIC", along with the alchemical symbol for Tartarus (Tartar). Emetic Tartar is the same as Antimonium Tartarisatum. It was used to induce vomiting because of poisoning, intoxication, and other conditions.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0199
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05347
1991.0664.0199.01
1991.0664.0199.02
collector/donor number
SAP 56

Drug jar

This blue monochrome drug jar has a cobalt blue stylized floral motif and scrolls. There is a cobalt blue and yellow-brown escroll in the center of the container inscribed with gothic script.Currently not on view
Description
This blue monochrome drug jar has a cobalt blue stylized floral motif and scrolls. There is a cobalt blue and yellow-brown escroll in the center of the container inscribed with gothic script.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1500
Date made
1500 - 1550
ID Number
1991.0664.0497
catalog number
M-05709
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 421
catalog number
1991.0664.0497

TINCT KALINA

This blown and molded bottle is marked TINCT KALINA. The bottle would have contained tincture of kalina, a solution of powdered potassium carbonate in alcohol.
Description
This blown and molded bottle is marked TINCT KALINA. The bottle would have contained tincture of kalina, a solution of powdered potassium carbonate in alcohol. The tincture of kalina was prescribed as a blood thinner, diaphoretic, antacid, diuretic, or laxative.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0308
catalog number
M-05457
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 166
catalog number
1991.0664.0308

Measure Jar

This jar served as a measure for liquids. The jar has a white background with blue slip decoration and applied handle. A round metal button is imbedded into the glaze on the left side of the container.Currently not on view
Description
This jar served as a measure for liquids. The jar has a white background with blue slip decoration and applied handle. A round metal button is imbedded into the glaze on the left side of the container.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1991.0664.0667
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05879
collector/donor number
SAP 591
catalog number
1991.0664.0667

Canine Distemper Antigen (Homigen) - for the Immunization of Dogs against Canine Distemper - Laidlaw-Dunkin Method

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1938
expiration date
1938-04-08
maker
Cutter Laboratories, Inc.
ID Number
1993.0331.022
catalog number
1993.0331.022
accession number
1993.0331

SACCH LACTIS

This blown and molded square-shaped bottle has an unusally wide neck, a flared lip, and a large round stopper. The number 32 has been etched into the stopper. The baked white enamel shield is framed by stylized blue leaves with yellow and red flowers.
Description
This blown and molded square-shaped bottle has an unusally wide neck, a flared lip, and a large round stopper. The number 32 has been etched into the stopper. The baked white enamel shield is framed by stylized blue leaves with yellow and red flowers. A yellow crown sits atop the shield. The jar is marked with the alchemical symbol for powder. It is also marked SACCH LACTIS in black below it. The jar contained a powdered form of Saccharum Lactis, Latin for sugar milk, or lactose, which was used to dilute other drugs. It was also used as a diuretic and is still used today in homeopathic preparations.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0360
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 221
catalog number
1991.0664.0360
M-05509

TRAC AROMAT

This blown and molded square-shaped bottle has a narrow neck with a round stopper. The baked white enamel shield is framed by stylized blue leaves and capped by a yellow crown. The label is marked in black TRAC AROMAT.
Description
This blown and molded square-shaped bottle has a narrow neck with a round stopper. The baked white enamel shield is framed by stylized blue leaves and capped by a yellow crown. The label is marked in black TRAC AROMAT. Aromata is Latin for spices, and this apothecary jar would have held some sort of solution mixed with spices. Aromatic spices such as myrrh, cloves and various flowers were used to make the air clean and healthful. Reference: Paul Freedman, Out of the East: Spices and the Medieval Imagination (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2009), p. 81.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0355
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 216
catalog number
1991.0664.0355.01
1991.0664.0355.02
M-05504

Albarello

This blue and white albarello is decorated with a landscape of hills, trees, and several buildings.Currently not on view
Description
This blue and white albarello is decorated with a landscape of hills, trees, and several buildings.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0602
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05814
collector/donor number
SAP 526
catalog number
1991.0664.0602

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