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: Philadelphia

Atropia, 3X, Tablet Triturates

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer, or as found in contemporary medical literature, are:For use in the same instances as Belladonna [nervous excitement, perverted special sense, twitching, convulsions and pain, excited mental state, hyperaest
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer, or as found in contemporary medical literature, are:
For use in the same instances as Belladonna [nervous excitement, perverted special sense, twitching, convulsions and pain, excited mental state, hyperaesthesia of all sense, delirium, restless sleep, convulsive movements, dryness of mouth and throat with aversion to water, neuralgic pains that come and go suddenly, epileptic spasms followed by nausea and vomiting]. But atropia is less stimulating, less convulsant, and more decidedly hypnotic. Constipates less and affects contractility of the bladder more. It is less diaphoretic and more pruritic [causing itchiness]. [Pocket Manual of Homeopathic Materia Medica, Second Edition, 1903]
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1857-1901
maker
Boericke & Tafel
ID Number
MG.311682.1855
catalog number
311682.1855
accession number
311682

Oral Contraceptives (Family Planning Pills)

The popularity of “the Pill” created a new market for pharmaceutical companies. For the first time, healthy women would be taking medication for an extended period of time.
Description (Brief)
The popularity of “the Pill” created a new market for pharmaceutical companies. For the first time, healthy women would be taking medication for an extended period of time. Pill manufacturers developed unique packaging in order to distinguish their product from those of their competitors and build brand loyalty. Packaging design often incorporated a “memory aid” to assist women in tracking their daily pill regimen, as well as styled cases to allow pills to be discreetly carried in bags and purses. The National Museum of American History’s Division of Medicine and Science’s collection of oral contraceptives illustrates some of the changes that the packaging and marketing of the Pill underwent from its inception in 1960 to the present.
Wyeth Laboratories of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, manufactured these oral contraceptives during the late 20th century. The logo of the “blue lady” taking her pill adorned all U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) oral contraceptive packages that were distributed to worldwide family planning programs. Compared to other oral contraceptives of the time, these USAID pills are packaged very simply, lacking any kind of discreet container or memory aid. The "blue lady" packaging was introduced in the late 1960s in order to standardize packaging, provide three months supply in one package, and to provide adequate protection for the pills in tropical conditions. This packet contains three cycles of 28 pills, with 21 white hormonal tablets and 7 tablets of iron supplements.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Wyeth Laboratories
ID Number
1982.0531.040
accession number
1982.0531
catalog number
1982.0531.040

Eckman's Alternative

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For catarrhal bronchitis, stubborn coughs and colds, and as a tonicCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For catarrhal bronchitis, stubborn coughs and colds, and as a tonic
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1922
retailer
Sherman Pharmacy
maker
Eckman Laboratory, Inc.
ID Number
1985.0460.040
accession number
1985.0460
catalog number
1985.0460.040

Dr. Hobson's Compound Laxative Cascara Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer, or as found in contemporary medical literature, are:For constipation and biliousness. Relieves sick and bilious headache.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 constipation and biliousness. Relieves sick and bilious headache.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1906-1917
maker
Pfeiffer Chemical Company
ID Number
1985.0481.051
catalog number
1985.0481.051
accession number
1985.0481

Thorazine Suppositories

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Smith, Kline & French Laboratories
ID Number
1985.0475.750
catalog number
1985.0475.750
accession number
1985.0475
patent number
2645640
accession number
1985.0475

Dr. Jayne's Laxative Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For constipation. Relieves sick headache, biliousness, and other disorders due to slow bowels. For use as a laxative and cathartic.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For constipation. Relieves sick headache, biliousness, and other disorders due to slow bowels. For use as a laxative and cathartic.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1940
retailer
Sherman Pharmacy
maker
D. Jayne and Son
ID Number
1985.0460.037
accession number
1985.0460
catalog number
1985.0460.037

Wrigley Spearmint Tooth Paste

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Wrigley Pharmaceutical Company
ID Number
1984.0782.228
catalog number
1984.0782.228
accession number
1984.0782

Vaginal Suppositories, No. 404

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
John Wyeth & Brother
ID Number
1985.0481.179
catalog number
1985.0481.179
accession number
1985.0481

Influenza Virus Vaccine, Monovalent Type A - Each ml. Contains 200 CCA Units Asian Strain

This vaccine was formulated specifically to combat the H2N2 “Asian strain” which caused the Asian Flu pandemic of 1957-58, our first pandemic since 1918, resulting in 70,000 deaths in US.
Description (Brief)
This vaccine was formulated specifically to combat the H2N2 “Asian strain” which caused the Asian Flu pandemic of 1957-58, our first pandemic since 1918, resulting in 70,000 deaths in US. Scientists at Walter Reed Medical Center obtained a sample of the virus in April 1957, and the first vaccines were ready for distribution by September. Thimersol, a mercury derivative, is listed as a preservative. It would eventually be eliminated from most vaccines due to fear that it may cause neurological damage to infants.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1957 - 1958
expiration date
1959-03-25
maker
National Drug Company
ID Number
1985.0475.877
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.877

Dr. Hand's Pleasant Physic

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:A physician's prescription for infants, children, or adults suffering from constipationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
A physician's prescription for infants, children, or adults suffering from constipation
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920
retailer
Sherman Pharmacy
maker
Hand Medicine Company
ID Number
1985.0460.219
catalog number
1985.0460.219
accession number
1985.0460

Dr. E.L. Graves Unequaled Tooth Powder for Health and Beautiful Teeth

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
C. I. Hood & Co.
ID Number
1988.0717.54
accession number
1988.0717
catalog number
1988.0717.54

Husband's Calcined Magnesia

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Calcined magnesia is highly beneficial in all diseases of the stomach and bowels which are attended with acidity, and gives immediate relief to heartburn.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Calcined magnesia is highly beneficial in all diseases of the stomach and bowels which are attended with acidity, and gives immediate relief to heartburn. The effects of excess in eating or drinking are generally relieved by it, and it affords one of the mildest and most pleasant aperients, especially to persons who from a sedentary life or other causes, are under the frequent necessity of having recourse to laxatives.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1906-1908
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Thomas J. Husband
ID Number
1984.0351.080
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.080

Ovral Oral Contraceptive

The popularity of “the Pill” created a new market for pharmaceutical companies. For the first time, healthy women would be taking medication for an extended period of time.
Description (Brief)
The popularity of “the Pill” created a new market for pharmaceutical companies. For the first time, healthy women would be taking medication for an extended period of time. Pill manufacturers developed unique packaging in order to distinguish their product from those of their competitors and build brand loyalty. Packaging design often incorporated a “memory aid” to assist women in tracking their daily pill regimen, as well as styled cases to allow pills to be discreetly carried in bags and purses. The National Museum of American History’s Division of Medicine and Science’s collection of oral contraceptives illustrates some of the changes that the packaging and marketing of the Pill underwent from its inception in 1960 to the present.
Wyeth Laboratories Inc. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, produced this Ovral brand oral contraceptive around 1968. The 21 pills are in a blister pack that is inserted into a white plastic holder. The holder has the days of the week embossed around the perimeter. The pills come with a carrying sleeve decorated with flowers and a butterfly. This box of physician’s samples includes 6 blister packs that were used as refills for the white plastic dispenser.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1968
maker
Wyeth Laboratories
ID Number
1982.0531.044
accession number
1982.0531
catalog number
1982.0531.044

Mulford Southern Brand V23 - Anthrax Spore Vaccine No. 4 - for Immunization of Horses, Mules, Cattle, and Sheep

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1957
expiration date
1957-11-28
maker
Sharp and Dohme
Merck and Company
ID Number
1985.0475.842
catalog number
1985.0475.842
accession number
1985.0475

Dr. M. C. Kreitzer's German Stomach Bitters

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For the permanent cure of liver complaint, jaundice, dyspepsia, nervous debility, asthma, disease of the kidneys, and all diseases arising from a disordered liver or stomachCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For the permanent cure of liver complaint, jaundice, dyspepsia, nervous debility, asthma, disease of the kidneys, and all diseases arising from a disordered liver or stomach
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1898-1902
maker
Kreitzler, M. C.
ID Number
2008.0062.27
accession number
2008.0062
catalog number
2008.0062.27

Mulford Solution Pituitary Extract, 1/2 dozen, 1/2 mil ampuls, No. 51

White cardboard box with black print containing six 1/2 mil. glass ampoules. Mulford Laboratory brand on bottom left corner of label that reads "For the Conservation of Life." Each glass ampule is packaged in a cardboard tube sealed with a white paper label with black printing.
Description
White cardboard box with black print containing six 1/2 mil. glass ampoules. Mulford Laboratory brand on bottom left corner of label that reads "For the Conservation of Life." Each glass ampule is packaged in a cardboard tube sealed with a white paper label with black printing. A paper insert is included (filed separately). The Pituitary Extract was in the midwife's kit from Buffalo, NY, about 1920.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1918
maker
H. K. Mulford Company
ID Number
2012.0128.27
accession number
2012.0128
catalog number
2012.0128.27
accession number
2012.0128
catalog number
2012.0128.27

Eskay's Food

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1905
associated date
1905
maker
Smith, Kline and French Co.
ID Number
2017.3025.095
nonaccession number
2017.3025
catalog number
2017.3025.095

Heywood-Wakefield Carriages are Built to Fit the Baby

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1933
maker
Heywood Brothers and Wakefield Company
ID Number
2017.3025.003
nonaccession number
2017.3025
catalog number
2017.3025.003

Dr. Hand's Cough and Croup Medicine for Children

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A most excellent remedy for cough and spasmodic croup, allaying fever, stimulating expectoration and promoting a healthy condition of the air passagesCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A most excellent remedy for cough and spasmodic croup, allaying fever, stimulating expectoration and promoting a healthy condition of the air passages
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1906
maker
Hand Medicine Company
ID Number
2008.0062.21
accession number
2008.0062
catalog number
2008.0062.21

"The Little Bill Poster," Eskay's Albumenized Food for Infants and Invalids

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca1898
ca1898
maker
Smith, Kline & French Company
ID Number
2017.3025.055
nonaccession number
2017.3025
catalog number
2017.3025.055

Eskay's Food

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Smith, Kline & French Company
ID Number
2017.3025.046
nonaccession number
2017.3025
catalog number
2017.3025.046

Etta Grace Andrews an Eskay's Food Baby and her History

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1905
maker
Smith, Kline and French Co.
ID Number
2017.3025.087
nonaccession number
2017.3025
catalog number
2017.3025.087

Jayne's Expectorant for Coughs

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For coughs due to coldsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For coughs due to colds
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1920
maker
Dr. D. Jayne and Son
ID Number
1989.0711.24
accession number
1989.0711
catalog number
1989.0711.24

Chase's Tonic Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:A tonic for the sick, convalescent, overworkedCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
A tonic for the sick, convalescent, overworked
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1926
maker
United Medicine Company
ID Number
1989.0711.09
accession number
1989.0711
catalog number
1989.0711.09

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