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.

Topic: European Apothecary

Ol. Ouorum

This syrup jar is decorated with blue flowers and foliage. A hare and a lion are also depicted in blue around the jar. The container is marked just below the lower shoulder, Ol. Ouorum. The bottom of the foot is marked with an image of a lighthouse.
Description
This syrup jar is decorated with blue flowers and foliage. A hare and a lion are also depicted in blue around the jar. The container is marked just below the lower shoulder, Ol. Ouorum. The bottom of the foot is marked with an image of a lighthouse. Lighthouses were used to mark the wares of 17th and 18th century Genovese potters.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0585
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05797
collector/donor number
SAP 509
catalog number
1991.0664.0585

Apothecary Bottle, ELIX: VISCER: H

This blown glass drug container is marked, ELIX: VISCER: H:" The opaque white color of the glass comes from the addition of tin oxide and was meant to imitate porcelain.Currently not on view
Description
This blown glass drug container is marked, ELIX: VISCER: H:" The opaque white color of the glass comes from the addition of tin oxide and was meant to imitate porcelain.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0479
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05628
1991.0664.0479.01
1991.0664.0479.02
collector/donor number
SAP 340

Apothecary Bottle, ELIX ANTICOLIC CROC

This blown and molded square-shaped glass bottle has a narrow neck and flared lip. It has a baked white enamel label surrounded by a gold and brown escutcheon with a crown at the top.
Description
This blown and molded square-shaped glass bottle has a narrow neck and flared lip. It has a baked white enamel label surrounded by a gold and brown escutcheon with a crown at the top. The label is marked ELIX ANTICOLIC CROC in black, with the first letter in red.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0451
catalog number
M-05600
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 312
catalog number
1991.0664.0451

Cholera Præservativmann (Cholera Prevention Man)

Satirical image of a man protecting himself from cholera, probably produced during the epidemic of 1831-1832.
Description
Satirical image of a man protecting himself from cholera, probably produced during the epidemic of 1831-1832. The inscription at the bottom reads “Die wohleingerichte kleine Hausapotheke für einem seine Gesundheit liebenden / CHOLERA PRAESERVATIVMANN / Nürnberg bei Fr: Campe” Friedrich Campe (1777-1846) was a printer in Nuremberg.
Location
Currently not on view
artist
Wunder
printer
Campe
ID Number
1991.0664.0012
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 967

Microscope

This “Culpeper” type microscope is made from wood, cardboard and sharkskin (or shagreen). The base is circular and has three wooden vertical supports which connect the base to the round stage. The cardboard tube is covered with shagreen that is dyed green.
Description
This “Culpeper” type microscope is made from wood, cardboard and sharkskin (or shagreen). The base is circular and has three wooden vertical supports which connect the base to the round stage. The cardboard tube is covered with shagreen that is dyed green. The mirror is mounted on a wooden hinge attached to the center of the base. A circular mark with initials is burned into the underside of the base, but the letters are illegible. Focusing is achieved by moving the tube up and down. The base is circular and made from turned wood, and has three round wooden feet.
One of the main cottage industries of the city of Nuremberg was the manufacturer of toys. In the 18th and 19th centuries thousands of microscopes like the one in the Squibb Collection were produced. Besides the Culpeper type microscope, several other models were produced including a box shaped, compound monocular microscope attached to a base with a drawer, and a “drum” type microscope. Nuremberg microscopes are rare and sought after by microscope collectors.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1750
ID Number
1991.0664.0904
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-06300
collector/donor number
SAP 992
catalog number
1991.0664.0904

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

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

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

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

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

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

ELIX PPT PARAG

This blown and molded square–shaped glass bottle has a narrow neck and rounded shoulders. The white baked enamel label is framed by a baroque–style blue and yellow cartouche. The label reads ELIX PPT PARAG in black text, with the first initial of each word in red.
Description
This blown and molded square–shaped glass bottle has a narrow neck and rounded shoulders. The white baked enamel label is framed by a baroque–style blue and yellow cartouche. The label reads ELIX PPT PARAG in black text, with the first initial of each word in red. The jar would have contained a prepared Paregoric Elixir. This elixir was a mixture of opium that often contained other herbs like benzoin, camphor, or anis. The elixir was a soothing tonic that served as a narcotic and a cough suppressant.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
17th-18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0321
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05470
collector/donor number
SAP 321
catalog number
1991.0664.0321

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