Health & Medicine
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.
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Surgical Set
- Description (Brief)
- This amputation set belonged to Lt. Col. William Irvin Wolfley, Surgeon in Chief of the 62nd Ohio Infantry. Dr. Wolfley was attached to DeRussey's Division of the Army of the Potomac, and was in charge of the convalescent camps along the Potomac from Chain Bridge to Alexandria, Virginia.
- This set has sixty instruments, the majority of which were manufactured by Jacob H. Gemrig of Philadelphia. Twelve instruments made by Otto & Reynders whose shop was at 64 Chatham Street in New York City, and one by Codman and Shurtleff of Boston, Massachusetts. Sets containing different instruments from different manufacturers was common. If an instrument broke or was lost it was simply replaced.
- The case is made of rosewood and has an oval brass medallion on the lid engraved “U.S.A./Medical Department” It comprises four compartments lined in red velvet, the first of which includes four large amputations knives, two retractors, artery forceps, tweezers and a tongue tie. The second tray has seven small knives, a hook, two pair of scissors, two saws, a straight trocar and cannula, a chisel, and bullet forceps. The third compartment holds a capitol saw, a trephine and wooden handle, two pair of bone forceps, silver and rubber ophthalmic probes and two thumb lancets with tortoise shell handles. The lower compartment contains graduated urethral sounds, a double-ended probe, one needle with an ebony handle, and catheters.
- The surgical set was donated by Wolfley’s daughters through Mr. Thomas J. Shannon, a museum guard at the Smithsonian and son-in-law to Dr. Wolfley. Subsequent donations of material related to Dr. Wolfley included a copy of The Dramatic Works of Shakespeare,, a microscope, and a medical officer's green sash.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- maker
- Gemrig, Jacob H.
- ID Number
- MG.112986.01.01
- accession number
- 112986
- catalog number
- 112986.01.01
- M-02999
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Medicinal Perfume - Hsiang-yao
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1897
- ID Number
- MG.142750
- accession number
- 32931
- catalog number
- 142750
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Perfume Bottle
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- MG.163863.020
- catalog number
- 163863.020
- accession number
- 163863
- catalog number
- M-05138.02
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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A Century devoted to the Conservation of Life 1845-1945; "Lyovac" Antivenin Nearctic Crotalidae
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1945
- maker
- Sharp and Dohme
- ID Number
- MG.174704.02
- accession number
- 174704
- catalog number
- 174704.02
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Diphtheria Toxin for Schick Test
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1947
- maker
- Sharp and Dohme
- ID Number
- MG.176974.01
- catalog number
- 176974.01
- accession number
- 176974
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Diphtheria Toxin for Schick Test Control
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1947
- maker
- Sharp and Dohme
- ID Number
- MG.176974.02
- catalog number
- 176974.02
- accession number
- 176974
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Diphtheria Toxoid, Alum Precipitated, Refined
- 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
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Diphtheria Toxoid, Fluid
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1947
- maker
- Sharp and Dohme
- ID Number
- MG.176974.04
- catalog number
- 176974.04
- accession number
- 176974.
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Diphtheria-Tetanus Toxoids Combined, Alum Precipitated
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1947
- maker
- Sharp and Dohme
- ID Number
- MG.176974.05
- catalog number
- 176974.05
- accession number
- 176974
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Diphtheria-Tetanus Combined, Alum Precipitated
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1947
- maker
- Sharp and Dohme
- ID Number
- MG.176974.06
- catalog number
- 176974.06
- accession number
- 176974
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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