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: Pennsylvania

CroFab Crotalidae Polyvalent Immune Fab (Ovine)

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Associated Date
2017-12-01
maker
BTG International, Inc.
ID Number
2018.0249.03
catalog number
2018.0249.03
accession number
2018.0249

Mulford Violets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Sweetens the breathCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Sweetens the breath
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1906
maker
H. K. Mulford Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1251
accession number
293320
catalog number
293320.1251

Cendevax - Rubella Virus Vaccine, Live (Cendehill Strain)

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1971
expiration date
1971-01-05
maker
Smith, Kline and French Laboratories
Recherche et Industrie Therapeutiques, S.A.
ID Number
1982.0043.029B
catalog number
1982.0043.029B
accession number
1982.0043

Anterior Poliomyelitis! Infantile Paralysis

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1909
ID Number
2005.3079.03
nonaccession number
2005.3079
catalog number
2005.3079.03

Pertussis Serobacterin Mixed - for Prophylaxis and Treatment of Whooping Cough

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920s
maker
H. K. Mulford Company
ID Number
1981.0895.010
accession number
1981.0895
catalog number
1981.0895.010

Press Release from Merck Sharpe & Dohme for Mumpsvax

A press release from Merck Sharpe & Dohme announcing the distribution of Mumpsvax mumps vaccine. The press release is attached to a print of a 1966 photograph documenting the vaccination of Dr. Maurice R.
Description (Brief)
A press release from Merck Sharpe & Dohme announcing the distribution of Mumpsvax mumps vaccine. The press release is attached to a print of a 1966 photograph documenting the vaccination of Dr. Maurice R. Hilleman's daughter, Kirsten Jeanne Hilleman, with the investigational Jeryl Lynn strain mumps vaccine. Eight-year-old Jeryl Lynn Hilleman, for whom the strain is named, comforts her younger sister as Dr. Robert E. Weibel gives Kirsten the injection. The pharmaceutical company Merck Sharp & Dohme widely distributed this photograph in 1968 as part of their press release and promotion for the Mumpsvax vaccine.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1966
ID Number
2017.3081.03
catalog number
2017.3081.03
nonaccession number
2017.3081

Protect Yourself and Community Against Influenza

White cardboard sign with black print promoting Influenza vaccination:"Influenza causes great discomfort to the individual, is infectious, often the whole family becomes ill, becomes a great economic loss.
Description (Brief)
White cardboard sign with black print promoting Influenza vaccination:
"Influenza causes great discomfort to the individual, is infectious, often the whole family becomes ill, becomes a great economic loss. Lost manhours in employment and business, community services creates a greater economical loss to the community. Absence from school means to the student his loss in scholastic ratings.
You can avoid this disaster -- influenza can be prevented. Just two inoculations by your physician in most individuals will prevent your having influenza.
See your doctor NOW, do not wait until you have the infection. You owe it to yourself and to your community to get this protection.
Donora Borough Board of Health"
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2005.3079.01
nonaccession number
2005.3079
catalog number
2005.3079.01

Bazin's Unrivalled Premium Shaving Cream

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Hall and Ruckel Inc.
ID Number
MG.293320.0931
catalog number
293320.0931
accession number
293320

Jeryl Lynn Hilleman with A Case of the Mumps

A print of a 1963 photograph documenting Jeryl Lynn Hilleman, sick with a case of the mumps. Jeryl Lynn's father, Dr. Maurice R. Hilleman, developed the Mumpsvax vaccine after isolating a viable mumps strain from Jeryl Lynn during her sickness.
Description (Brief)
A print of a 1963 photograph documenting Jeryl Lynn Hilleman, sick with a case of the mumps. Jeryl Lynn's father, Dr. Maurice R. Hilleman, developed the Mumpsvax vaccine after isolating a viable mumps strain from Jeryl Lynn during her sickness. The vaccine's mumps virus strain would become known as the Jeryl Lynn strain. The pharmaceutical company Merck Sharp & Dohme widely distributed this photograph as part of their press release and promotion for the Mumpsvax vaccine. This photograph has handwritten notations on the back.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1966
ID Number
2017.3081.01
catalog number
2017.3081.01
nonaccession number
2017.3081

Driset (Dried) Penicillin Sodium Salt

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1943
maker
Wyeth Pharmaceuticals
ID Number
MG.M-06632
catalog number
M-06632
accession number
198232

Love's a Little Cover, Beachy

Menley & James Laboratories, the proprietary drug division of Smith Kline & French produced the “Love” line of cosmetics from 1969 through 1980.
Description
Menley & James Laboratories, the proprietary drug division of Smith Kline & French produced the “Love” line of cosmetics from 1969 through 1980. This product, Love’s “A Little Cover” makeup, claimed to add “just an all-over color glow” while letting “your skin shine through.” Love was propelled to popularity through the advertising campaign of Wells, Rich, Green. Love products sought to appeal to young women who were style leaders and trendsetters. The tagline “This is the way Love is in 1969” was intended to appeal to a new generation of consumers, and the product name and package design reflected the youth culture of the 1970s.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1969-1980
maker
Menley and James
ID Number
1981.0219.018
accession number
1981.0219
catalog number
1981.0219.018

CroFab Crotalidae Polyvalent Immune Fab (Ovine)

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Associated Date
2017-12-01
maker
BTG International, Inc.
ID Number
2018.0249.04
catalog number
2018.0249.04
accession number
2018.0249

Thymoldent Dentifrice

Glass container with metal cap, and paper label with inscription that reads in part “Thymoldent / (time-o-dent)” and “Trade-Mark applied for / THE THYMOLDENT DENTIFRICE CO.
Description
Glass container with metal cap, and paper label with inscription that reads in part “Thymoldent / (time-o-dent)” and “Trade-Mark applied for / THE THYMOLDENT DENTIFRICE CO. / 1510 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa.” The firm was in business by 1901 and chartered as a corporation in 1902.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1988.0717.57
catalog number
1988.0717.57
accession number
1988.0717

Mulford Pollen Extract Concentrated - Orchard Grass

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Sharp and Dohme
ID Number
1978.0882.71
accession number
1978.0882
catalog number
1978.0882.71

OraQuick Advance HIV-1/2 - Test for HIV Antibodies

This point-of-care device tests for the presence of HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibodies in specimens of oral fluid, whole blood, or plasma. Results are read in 20 minutes -- a line at the "T" indicates a positive test; a line at the "C" indicates a negative test.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This point-of-care device tests for the presence of HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibodies in specimens of oral fluid, whole blood, or plasma. Results are read in 20 minutes -- a line at the "T" indicates a positive test; a line at the "C" indicates a negative test.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 2005
maker
Orasure Technologies, Inc.
ID Number
2014.0247.25
accession number
2014.0247
catalog number
2014.0247.25

Diphtheria Toxoid, Alum Precipitated, Refined

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1947
maker
Sharp and Dohme
ID Number
MG.176974.03
catalog number
176974.03
accession number
176974

Diphtheria Antitoxin - Purified Globulin Super-Concentrated -1 Syringe, 5000 Units

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1931
expiration date
1931-11-14
maker
H. K. Mulford Company
ID Number
1981.0219.003
accession number
1981.0219
catalog number
1981.0219.003

Antimeningitis Serum - Antimeningococcic Serum Concentrated

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1929
maker
H. K. Mulford Company
ID Number
MG.M-02692
catalog number
M-02692
accession number
107349

M-M-R II - Measles Mumps Rubella Virus Vaccine - Live, MSD - 10 Single Dose 0.5 mL Vials box only

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Merck Sharp and Dohme
ID Number
2017.0291.10
catalog number
2017.0291.10
accession number
2017.0291

Mulford Pollen Extract, Ragweed Pollen Extract (Fall) Made from Giant and Common Ragweed Pollens in Equal Proportion, Complete Treatment Package

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1981.0895.011
accession number
1981.0895
catalog number
1981.0895.011

Antidiphtheric Serum, U.S.P. (Serum Antidiphthericum)

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920
maker
H. K. Mulford Company
ID Number
MG.M-00533
catalog number
M-00533
accession number
65614

Antistreptococcic Serum Cardioarthritis - Concentrated - S.C.A. Serum

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1929
maker
H. K. Mulford Company
ID Number
MG.M-02697
catalog number
M-02697
accession number
107349

Ivyol - Poison Ivy Extract - for the Prophylaxis of Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, and Poison Sumac Dermatitis - Rhus Toxicodendron Extract in Sterile Olive Oil

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1957
expiration date
1957-04-01
maker
Sharp and Dohme
ID Number
1988.0190.053
catalog number
1988.0190.053
accession number
1988.0190

Diphtheria Antitoxin - Purified Globulin Super-Concentrated - 1 Syringe, 5000 Units

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1931
product expiration date
1931-11-14
maker
H. K. Mulford Company
ID Number
1981.0170.005
accession number
1981.0170
catalog number
1981.0170.005

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