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.

Date: 1930s

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

Pilease

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:A remedy for itching and inflamed pilesCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
A remedy for itching and inflamed piles
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1930
ca 1920
maker
Kondon Manufacturing Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1338
catalog number
293320.1338
accession number
293320

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

Hite's Household Remedy

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:Used internally to allay irritations caused by coughs, due to the common colds, and for mild form of flatulent colic.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
Used internally to allay irritations caused by coughs, due to the common colds, and for mild form of flatulent colic. Used externally for surface burns and cuts, simple bruises and non-poisonous insect bites and stings. Also for slight sprains and muscular aches and soreness due to fatigue and over-exertion.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1938
ca 1920
ca 1930
maker
S. P. Hite Company
ID Number
MG.M-10426.30
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

Dr. Harris H. Luntz's Flaxolyn Formula

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:An unusual palatable formula with tonic-laxative and diuretic propertiesCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
An unusual palatable formula with tonic-laxative and diuretic properties
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1930
ca 1938
maker
Herbal Flaxolyn Corporation
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup10]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

Swissco Hair & Scalp Dressing

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Intended to impart color artificially to gray or faded hair.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Intended to impart color artificially to gray or faded hair.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1932
maker
Swissco Company
ID Number
MG.254865.16
accession number
254865
catalog number
254865.16

Atwood's Physical Jannaice Bitters

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Biliousness due to constipationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Biliousness due to constipation
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1931-1939
maker
Wyeth Chemical Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1171
catalog number
293320.1171
accession number
293320

Roche's Embrocation

[No indications or uses for this product are provided on its packaging.]Currently not on view
Description
[No indications or uses for this product are provided on its packaging.]
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1940
ca 1930
maker
E. Fougera and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10409.01
catalog number
M-10409
accession number
246707

Mrs. Dinsmore's Improved Balsamated Compound

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For coughs, minor throat irritations, simple bronchitis, hoarseness. For affections of throat and air passages due to cold.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For coughs, minor throat irritations, simple bronchitis, hoarseness. For affections of throat and air passages due to cold.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1932-1938
maker
L. M. Brock and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup45]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

Rollian's Gold Seal Herb Medicine

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For constipation, sour stomach, ulcer-gas, coughs-colds, skin trouble, worms, kidney trouble, high blood, run down systemCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For constipation, sour stomach, ulcer-gas, coughs-colds, skin trouble, worms, kidney trouble, high blood, run down system
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1930
ID Number
MG.M-10426.32
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

Bewino

Blood builder and purifier. DigestionCurrently not on view
Description
Blood builder and purifier. Digestion
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1938
maker
Erard
Erbru Roots and Herbs Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.274347.162
catalog number
274347.162
M-12141
accession number
274347

Four-Fold Liver Tonic

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:A laxative syrup for biliousness, disordered stomach, belching, bad breath, flatulence, wind in the bowels, constipation and irregular bowel movementsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
A laxative syrup for biliousness, disordered stomach, belching, bad breath, flatulence, wind in the bowels, constipation and irregular bowel movements
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1906-1938
maker
C. F. Simmons Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.M-10426.12
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

Angeline for Rheumatic Fever

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For rheumatic fever, neuralgia, gout, headache, muscular aches and pains, and muscular lumbagoCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For rheumatic fever, neuralgia, gout, headache, muscular aches and pains, and muscular lumbago
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1932
1932-1938
after 1906
maker
Angeline Corporation
ID Number
MG.M-10426.29
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

William R. Warner & Co.'s Original Pill Cascara Cathartic (Dr. Hinkle)

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer, or as found in contemporary medical literature, are:For the relief of chronic and habitual constipation. Average Dose: 1 or 2 pillsCurrently 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 the relief of chronic and habitual constipation. Average Dose: 1 or 2 pills
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
maker
William R. Warner and Company
ID Number
MG.314016.122
catalog number
314016.122
accession number
314016

Oil Wormwood, American

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer, or as found in contemporary medical literature, are:For general debility, anorexia, rheumatism, and cerebral exhaustionCurrently 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 general debility, anorexia, rheumatism, and cerebral exhaustion
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1934
maker
Fritzsche Brothers, Inc.
ID Number
MG.M-03770
accession number
131852
catalog number
M-03770

Pertussis Vaccine, Immunizing (Sauer) - 10,000 Million Killed Bacteria per cc

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1938
maker
Parke, Davis and Company
ID Number
MG.M-04665
accession number
147292
catalog number
M-04665

Oxy Swift-Acting Cough Syrup

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For ordinary coughs due to coldsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For ordinary coughs due to colds
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1936-1938
maker
O. H. D. Company
ID Number
MG.M-10426.45
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

A.D.S. Sodamint Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:AntacidCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Antacid
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1904
ca 1930
maker
American Druggists Syndicate
ID Number
MG.293320.1167
catalog number
293320.1167
accession number
293320

Dryvax Dried Smallpox Vaccine - Dried Calf Lymph Type - 10 Vaccinations

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1962
expiration date
1936-05-03
maker
Wyeth Laboratories
ID Number
MG.M-10264
catalog number
M-10264
accession number
241519

Hy-Kup Menstrual Cup

One Hy-Kup menstrual cup in an blue and white cardboard box with cellophane wrapper. Each side of the box has the Hy-Kup brand name with a white cross below. A single word -- Scientific - Sanitary - Comfortable - Odorless -- appears on each of the four sides.
Description
One Hy-Kup menstrual cup in an blue and white cardboard box with cellophane wrapper. Each side of the box has the Hy-Kup brand name with a white cross below. A single word -- Scientific - Sanitary - Comfortable - Odorless -- appears on each of the four sides. Inscriptions on the bottom of the box include: "Price $2.00" and the phrase "Lasts for a Year."
The Hy-Kup appears to have been first marketed in 1928. It was advertised as "scientifically correct, invented, tested and perfected for the modern woman," it "eliminates belts and pads, odor and chafing," and is "absolutely secure." Advertisements also claimed that the cup was endorsed by leading doctors and nurses. The company recruited women to serve as distributors for Hy-Kup in their communities. The cups sold for $2.00 each and were advertised to last for a year. Paul Allen Wilkey (died June, 29, 1974), of Indiana, was named as owner and distributor of Hy-Kup in his obituary.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930s
copyright date ("why you should use a hygienic menstrual cup" Hy-Kup distributors)
1928-01-29
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Hy-Kup Distrubutors
ID Number
1984.0351.067
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.067

Paracin

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For masculine hygiene. Antiseptic. GermicidalCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For masculine hygiene. Antiseptic. Germicidal
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1933
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Norwich Pharmacal Company
ID Number
1984.0351.115
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.115

Coolene Foot Creme

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For tired, burning feet. Softens the callouses.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For tired, burning feet. Softens the callouses.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
collection
Reid Drugstore
maker
Coolene Laboratories
ID Number
1984.0351.161
accession number
1984.0351
catalog number
1984.0351.161

Castor Oil U.S.P

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer, or as found in contemporary medical literature, are:For constipation, diarrhea, dysentery, as a demulcent in eye burns. Also used in hair tonics. [The Merck Index, Fifth Edition, 1940]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, diarrhea, dysentery, as a demulcent in eye burns. Also used in hair tonics. [The Merck Index, Fifth Edition, 1940]
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1937
maker
Grangers Medicine Company
ID Number
1985.0475.651
accession number
1985.0475
catalog number
1985.0475.651

Kof-Ade for Coughs

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For coughs due to coldsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For coughs due to colds
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1938
retailer
Sherman Pharmacy
distributor
Radio Drugs
ID Number
1985.0460.063
accession number
1985.0460
catalog number
1985.0460.063

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