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: New Jersey

One Hundred Assorted Beauty Spots

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Johnson and Johnson
ID Number
MG.M-09899
catalog number
M-09899
accession number
237605

Herbitol (Goff's)

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For heartburn; gas belching; sour stomach; flatulence; laxative for constipation and inactive bowelsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For heartburn; gas belching; sour stomach; flatulence; laxative for constipation and inactive bowels
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1920
maker
S. B. Goff and Sons Company
ID Number
MG.M-10426.35
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

Clinton's Cough Remedy

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For coughs, colds, croup, and all diseases leading to consumptionCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For coughs, colds, croup, and all diseases leading to consumption
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1908-1918
maker
Hallock-Denton Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1199
catalog number
293320.1199
accession number
293320

Johnson's Corrosive Sublimate Toilet Soap

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For Toilet Use, For Washing Wounds, For the BathCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For Toilet Use, For Washing Wounds, For the Bath
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1906
maker
Johnson & Johnson
ID Number
MG.M-11465.09
catalog number
M-11465.09
accession number
260557

S. B. Goff's Cough Syrup

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For coughs, colds, hoarseness, tickling and soreness of the throat, bronchitis, bronchial asthma, whooping cough and spasmodic coughCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For coughs, colds, hoarseness, tickling and soreness of the throat, bronchitis, bronchial asthma, whooping cough and spasmodic cough
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1906
maker
S. B. Goff and Sons Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1303
catalog number
293320.1303
accession number
293320

Goff's Bitters

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Indigestion caused by inactivity of the stomach, constipation, heartburn, coated tongue, loss of appetite, inactive bowels, sour stomach, gas belching, flatulence, bad tasteCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Indigestion caused by inactivity of the stomach, constipation, heartburn, coated tongue, loss of appetite, inactive bowels, sour stomach, gas belching, flatulence, bad taste
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1906
maker
S. B. Goff & Sons Company
ID Number
MG.M-10426.37
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

Belladonna Plaster (Emp. Belladonnae), plain

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer, or as found in contemporary medical literature, are:For use as an anodyne application in rheumatic and neuralgic pains [Remington's Practice of Pharmacy, Seventh Edition, 1926]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 use as an anodyne application in rheumatic and neuralgic pains [Remington's Practice of Pharmacy, Seventh Edition, 1926]
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1931
maker
Johnson and Johnson
ID Number
MG.M-03106.01
catalog number
M-03106.01
accession number
116487

Lister's Tooth Soap

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Johnson and Johnson
ID Number
MG.M-12151.08A
catalog number
M-12151.08A
accession number
271464

Caroid and Soda

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For dyspepsia and indigestionCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For dyspepsia and indigestion
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1930
maker
American Ferment Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1193
catalog number
293320.1193
accession number
293320

Johnson's Tar Antiseptic Toilet Soap

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For Toilet Use, For Infants, For BathsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For Toilet Use, For Infants, For Baths
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1906-1908
maker
Johnson & Johnson
ID Number
MG.M-11465.10
catalog number
M-11465.10
accession number
260557

Tiz for Tender Feet

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Tiz tablets are intended to help relieve tired, aching, troublesome and sweating feet.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Tiz tablets are intended to help relieve tired, aching, troublesome and sweating feet.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1939
distributor
Wyeth Chemical Company Distributors
maker
Walter Luther Dodge Company
ID Number
MG.313462.017
catalog number
313462.17
accession number
313462

Goff's Laxative Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Indigestion, heartburn, coated tongue, loss of appetite, sour stomach, gas belching, flatulence, bad taste, headacheCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Indigestion, heartburn, coated tongue, loss of appetite, sour stomach, gas belching, flatulence, bad taste, headache
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1900
maker
S. B. Goff and Sons Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1305
catalog number
293320.1305
accession number
293320

Boschee's Syrup

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Assists in the relief of coughs, colds, whooping cough, croup, asthma, bronchitisCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Assists in the relief of coughs, colds, whooping cough, croup, asthma, bronchitis
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1918
maker
L. M. Green
G. G. Green, Inc.
ID Number
MG.293320.1187
catalog number
293320.1187
accession number
293320

S. B. Goff's Magic Oil Liniment

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For rheumatism, neuralgia, toothache, earache, stiffness in the joints, weakness in the side or back, sprains, bruises, sore throat, catarrh, diarrhea, dysentery, cholera morbus, piles, frosted feet, felons, co
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For rheumatism, neuralgia, toothache, earache, stiffness in the joints, weakness in the side or back, sprains, bruises, sore throat, catarrh, diarrhea, dysentery, cholera morbus, piles, frosted feet, felons, corns, chapped or cracked hands, fresh cuts, old sores, pimples on the face. In horses, it cures scratches, old sores, galls, sprains, stiff limbs, splint, cholic, gravel, thrush.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1900
maker
S. B. Goff and Sons Company
ID Number
MG.M-10409.09
catalog number
M-10409
accession number
246707

Dr. A. Boschee's Syrup of Tar and Wild Cherry

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For coughs due to colds, soothes throat, promotes expectorationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For coughs due to colds, soothes throat, promotes expectoration
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1906
date made
after September 1926
maker
G. G. Green
L. M. Green
ID Number
MG.M-10426.40
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

Tru Aspirin

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For colds, acute rheumatism, headache, neuralgia, or other pains of nervous origin, also for the relief of gout, sciatica, tonsilitis, influenzaCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For colds, acute rheumatism, headache, neuralgia, or other pains of nervous origin, also for the relief of gout, sciatica, tonsilitis, influenza
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1928
maker
Tru-Lax Manufacturing Company
ID Number
MG.293320.0715
accession number
293320
catalog number
293320.0715

Boschee's Syrup

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Assists in the relief of coughs, colds, whooping cough, croup, asthma, bronchitisCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Assists in the relief of coughs, colds, whooping cough, croup, asthma, bronchitis
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1918
maker
G. G. Green
L. M. Green
ID Number
MG.293320.1188
catalog number
293320.1188
accession number
293320

Gold Medal Haarlem Oil Capsules

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:A diuretic to the kidneysCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
A diuretic to the kidneys
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Gold Medal Haarlem Oil Co.
ID Number
1984.0351.101
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.101

Ovoferrin

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Iron and vitamin B dietary supplementCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Iron and vitamin B dietary supplement
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1956
retailer
Sherman Pharmacy
maker
Crookes-Barnes Laboratories
ID Number
1985.0460.078
accession number
1985.0460
catalog number
1985.0460.078

Beecham's Laxative Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:LaxativeCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Laxative
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1938
retailer
Sherman Pharmacy
distributor
Beecham's Pills
ID Number
1985.0460.010
accession number
1985.0460
catalog number
1985.0460.010

Colgate Tooth Powder

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Combat tooth decay-- have cleaner, sweeter breath. Colgate Tooth powder's gentle polishing agent quickly removes dull dingy surface film reveals your teeth's natural brillance.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Combat tooth decay-- have cleaner, sweeter breath. Colgate Tooth powder's gentle polishing agent quickly removes dull dingy surface film reveals your teeth's natural brillance. Its rich, "foamy' action penetrates between the teeth, helps your brush remove tiny, decaying food particles, cause of much bad breath. And you'll love Colgate Tooth Powder's cool minty flavor.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1928-1953
maker
Colgate-Palmolive-Peet Company
ID Number
1988.0717.22
catalog number
1988.0717.22
accession number
1988.0717

Halo Shampoo

In 1938 the Colgate-Palmolive-Peet Company in Jersey City, N.J., introduced Halo, the zero soap shampoo. Their slogan was "Soaping dulls hair, while Halo glorifies it." The product came with a double-your-money back guarantee.
Description
In 1938 the Colgate-Palmolive-Peet Company in Jersey City, N.J., introduced Halo, the zero soap shampoo. Their slogan was "Soaping dulls hair, while Halo glorifies it." The product came with a double-your-money back guarantee. Advertisements claimed that the lack of oils and harsh chemicals made the product clean-rinsing and safe for children.
Over the years the Colgate-Palmolive Company used celebrities and program sponsorships to endorse their product. In the 1940s, the product jingle, "Halo, Everybody, Halo," was introduced on the radio and early TV. Through the following decades, many celebrities and recording artists, including Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, and Eddie Cantor, sang the Halo jingle. Halo was still being sold in the late 1970s.
While the Halo bottle retained its distinctive shape, at the end of 1954, Colgate-Palmolive introduced this new blue, white, and gold packaging. In 1956, their ads claimed they were "America’s #1 Selling Shampoo."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1955
product launch date
1938
packaging change date
1954
maker
Colgate-Palmolive Company
ID Number
1985.0475.187
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.187

Promise Toothpaste for Sensitive teeth, Mint Taste

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Block Drug Company
ID Number
1988.0717.14
accession number
1988.0717
catalog number
1988.0717.14

Py-Co-Pay Tooth Powder, 3 Oz

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Pycope, Inc.
ID Number
1984.0351.249
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.249

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