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Health & Medicine

503 items

This digital collection features selected medications and documents, manuals, and photographs relating to biochemical research and technology, with a focus on 20th-century instrumentation in medical laboratories. Various models of glucose, enzyme, and amino acid analyzers are a few of the instruments documented in these materials.

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Current results range from 1425 to 2021

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  • [Missing]78

  • Beckman Instruments, Inc.218
  • Scientific apparatus and instruments193
  • Medical laboratories--Equipment and supplies125
  • Biochemistry74
  • Beckman Instruments, Inc. Spinco Division65
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  • Pew Charitable Trusts100
  • Dietrich, T. A.22
  • Van Benschoten, William20
  • Lyman, Henry M. (Henry Munson), 1835-190416
  • Maestrejuan, Andrea R.16
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  • Photographs223
  • Oral histories121
  • Illustrations47
  • Medical instruments and apparatus31
  • Vessels (Containers)30
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  • Image320
  • Text210
  • Sound118
  • Physical Object43
  • Mixed Material1

  • Plastic10
  • Glass8
  • Metal7
  • Plastic (HDPE)6
  • glass (material)6
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  • England--London31
  • New York (State)--New York26
  • Rhode Island--Providence16
  • California--Fullerton14
  • Massachusetts--Boston10
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  • English228
  • German6
  • Latin5
  • French4
  • Arabic1
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  • In Copyright - Rights-holder(s) Unlocatable or Unidentifiable200
  • Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License121
  • Copyright Free115
  • Public Domain Mark 1.091
  • Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License43
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  • Archives270
  • Center for Oral History121
  • Library62
  • Museum50
Previous 1 - 25 of 503 Next
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  • 206 items
    Manuscripts

    [Recipes and extracts on alchemy, medicine, metal-working, cosmetics, veterinary science, agriculture, wine-making, and other subjects]

    • 1425 – 1450

    This manuscript is a diverse and well-organized recipe collection with more than 520 different recipes on topics ranging from alchemy and medicine to solutions for simple household problems such as fleas. A direct…

    • Subject Alchemy, Alchemy--Manuscripts, Recipes, Formulas, recipes, etc., Medicine, Veterinary medicine
  • 142 items
    Rare books, Woodcuts, Illustrated works

    Liber de arte Distillandi de Compositis

    • Book on the Art of Distilling Compounds
    • 1512

    Hieronymous Brunschwig (c. 1453 – c. 1513) was a surgeon in the Imperial Free City of Strasbourg who published on subjects including medicine, the plague, and surgery, though his most important works were those…

    • Author Brunschwig, Hieronymus, approximately 1450-approximately 1512
    • Subject Brunschwig, Hieronymus, approximately 1450-approximately 1512, Distillation, Distillation apparatus, Pharmaceutical chemistry, Drugs, Medicine, Medical astrology
  • 118 items
    Rare books, Woodcuts

    Coelum Philosophorum, seu De Secretis Naturae

    • Philosopher’s Heaven or the Secrets of Nature
    • 1525

    An early work on the preparation of aqua vitae or the “water of life” (alcohol), by the process of distillation. This treatise describes the distillation process and necessary instrumentation in detail. Aqua vitae was…

    • Author Ulstadius, Philippus
    • Contributor Albertus, Magnus, Saint, 1193?-1280, Arnaldus, de Villanova, -1311, Llull, Ramon, 1232?-1316, Johannes, de Rupescissa, approximately 1300-approximately 1365., Grüninger, Johann, -1532?
    • Subject Alchemy, Distillation, Distillation apparatus, Gold--Therapeutic use, Medicine, Alcohol, Alcohol--Synthesis
  • Rare books

    Della Theriaca et del Mithridato Libri Due

    • 1572

    Maranta of Venosa's work on antidotes to poisons. Only engraved title page has been digitized at this time.

    • Author Maranta, Bartolomeo, -1571
    • Publisher Marcantonio Olmo
    • Subject Toxicology
  • 323 items
    Rare books, Illustrated works, Woodcuts

    Pandora, das ist, Die edleste Gab Gottes

    • Pandora, That Is, the Noblest Gift of God
    • 1582

    First edition. This copy lacks parts of pages 2 and 7 as well as pages 183-184 and 255-256. The missing text on pages 2 and 7 was replaced in handwritten pencil at an unknown date. The work was edited by the physician…

    • Author Epimetheus, Franciscus
    • Editor Reusner, Hieronymus, b. 1558
    • Printer Apiarius, Samuel, -1590
    • Subject Alchemy, Medicine, Reusner, Hieronymus, b. 1558, Mythology, Greek, Symbolism in art
  • 8 items
    Rare books, Illustrated works

    Tractatus de Corde : item de motu et colore sanguinis, et chyli in eum transitu

    • Treatise on the Heart : likewise, on the movement and color of the blood, and the passage of chyle into it
    • 1669

    Work on the anatomy and physiology of the circulatory system. Explores the structure and function of veins and arteries. Correctly describes the heart as a four-chambered organ and accurately describes the flow of the…

    • Author Lower, Richard, 1631-1691
    • Publisher Apud Danielem Elzevirium
    • Subject Heart, Blood--Circulation, Blood, Cardiovascular system, Veins, Arteries, Medicine, Human anatomy
  • 8 items
    Rare books, Illustrated works

    Tractatus Quinque Medico-Physici : quorum primus agit De sal-nitro, et spiritu nitro-aereo. Secundus De respiratione. Tertius De respiratione foetus in utero, et ovo. Quartus De motu musculari, et spiritibus animalibus. Ultimus De rhachtitide.

    • Five Medical-Physical Treatises : the first of which deals with salt-nitro and spirit of nitro-air. The second on respiration. Third on the respiration of the fetus in the womb and the egg. Fourth on muscular motion and animal spirits. The last on rickets.
    • 1674

    John Mayow (1643–1679) was an early researcher of respiration and the nature of air. Mayow published tracts on respiration and rickets while studying at Oxford in 1668; in 1674 these were edited and reprinted with three…

    • Author Mayow, John, 1641-1679
    • Publisher E Theatro Sheldoniano
    • Engraver Faithorne, William, 1616-1691
    • Subject Physiology, Oxygen--Physiological transport, Oxygen in the body, Respiration, Cardiovascular system, Medicine, Muscles, Fetus--Development, Combustion, Oxygen
  • Engravings

    College of Physicians

    • 1724
    • Publisher Bowles, John, 1701-1779
    • Subject Medicine, Royal College of Physicians of London, Medical offices
  • 2 items
    Vessels (Containers), Implements, utensils, etc., Medical instruments and apparatus

    Bleeding bowl

    • 1752

    Bowls like this one were used to catch the blood released by bleeding. The appearance of blood was a useful diagnostic tool for physicians, who examined it for clues about the body's internal state. This large bowl was…

    • Subject Medicine, Bloodletting, Blood, Phlebotomy
  • 2 items
    Vessels (Containers), Medical instruments and apparatus

    Can of Langlebert's Psyllium Seeds

    • 1800s

    Gold painted metal can and lid both with extensive dark blue lettering and decoration.The main label reads "LANGLEBERT'S PSYLLIUM SEEDS." The can is full of small brown psyllium seeds, a source of soluble dietary fiber.

    • Manufacturer Ad. [Adolphe] Langlebert
    • Subject Plantago psyllium, Psyllium products, Psyllium (Plants), Laxatives, Drugs, Medicine bottles, Medicine bottles, Victorian, Ad. [Adolphe] Langlebert
  • 22 items
    Publications

    An Essay on the Chemical History and Medical Treatment of Calculous Disorders

    • 1819

    Alexander Marcet (1770-1822) was a Genevan physician who specialized in urinary calculi. Marcet was one of few medical practitioners of the time who used chemistry in their explanation and treatment of disease. He was…

    • Author Marcet, Alexander, 1770-1822
    • Publisher Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown
    • Subject Calculi, Urinary organs--Calculi, Gallstones, Kidneys--Calculi, Bladder--Calculi, Therapeutics, Medicine, Urology
  • 2 items
    Rare books

    A Treatise on Adulterations of Food, and Culinary Poisons

    • 1820

    The cover and title page are digitized from the first edition of this seminal work responsible for exposing dangerous adulterations to foods and beverages. Food and drug purity legislation followed later in the…

    • Author Accum, Friedrich Christian, 1769-1838
    • Printer Mallett, J.
    • Publisher Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown
    • Subject Food contamination, Canning and preserving, Food--Preservation, Food--Safety measures, Toxicology, Food adulteration and inspection
  • Paintings

    Surgeon operating on a man's foot

    • At the Alchemist
    • Circa 1820 – circa 1870

    In a small workshop a medical alchemist tends to the foot of a seated patient while the man's wife and child look on. At left, an assistant grinds a substance--likely a medicine or salve--in a small mortar and pestle.…

    • After Teniers, David, 1610-1690
    • Subject Medicine and art, Medicine, Alchemy, Alchemy in art
  • Rare books

    A Treatise on Adulterations of Food, and Culinary Poisons

    • 1822

    The title page is digitized from the fourth edition of this seminal work responsible for exposing dangerous adulterations to foods and beverages. Food and drug purity legislation followed later in the nineteenth…

    • Author Accum, Friedrich Christian, 1769-1838
    • Engraver Hatch
    • Publisher Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown
    • Subject Food contamination, Canning and preserving, Food adulteration and inspection, Food--Safety measures, Toxicology, Food--Preservation
  • 48 items
    Manuscripts

    Notes on lecture by Matthieu Orfila in Paris

    • 1834

    Lecture notes recorded by Jean-Baptiste-Alexandre Stroehlin in Paris when he attended lectures given by Matthieu Orfila. The lectures are organized around specific chemicals, thus there are headings such as "Carbonates"…

    • Creator Of Work Stroehlin, Jean-Baptiste Alexandre, 1813-1889
    • Subject Forensic toxicology, Science--Study and teaching, Chemistry, Orfila, Matthieu Joseph Bonaventure, 1787-1853, Stroehlin, Jean-Baptiste Alexandre, 1813-1889, Clinical chemistry, Toxicology
  • Vessels (Containers), Glassware

    Free-blown glass breast pump

    • 1850s

    Long stem, round bottom flask with custom flange. Needle-size hole on opposite side of flange allows for release of pressure.

    • Subject Women--Health and hygiene, Breast pumps, Breastfeeding, Medical instruments and apparatus, Glassware, Pediatric nursing, Health
  • 186 items
    Manuscripts

    E.F. Carey pharmacopeia

    • 1863 – 1875

    This notebook contains recipes and formulas developed or copied by E. F. Carey while working as an assistant pharmacist in Rhode Island and as the owner operator of a pharmacy in Massachusetts between 1863 and 1875.…

    • Author Carey, E. F.
    • Subject Medicine, Pharmacopoeias, Pharmacy, Patent medicines
  • Artifacts, Vessels (Containers)

    Strychnine Sulfate Tablets

    • After 1870 – before 1910

    Bottle of Strychnine Sulfate tablets in a brown glass bottle with cork top closure.

    Strychnine is a highly toxic, colorless, crystalline alkaloid used today as a pesticide for rodents or birds. When inhaled, swallowed,…

    • Creator Of Work Eli Lilly and Company
    • Subject Strychnine, Strychnine--Toxicology, Drugs, Eli Lilly and Company
  • Publications, Illustrations

    Medico-galvanic Battery

    • Part of Wonders of electricity and the elements, being a popular account of modern electrical and magnetic discoveries, magnetism and electric machines, the electric telegraph and the electric light, and the metal bases, salt, and acids
    • 1870 – 1900

    Diagram depicting a medico-galvanic battery, a type of portable shock-producing electrotherapeutic device commonly in use between 1870 and 1920. Such devices provided both direct and alternating current and were thought…

    • Author Ward, Lock & Co.
    • Subject Electricity, Electric machines, Scientific apparatus and instruments, Scientific illustration, Electric batteries, Electrotherapeutics, Electrotherapeutics--Instruments, Medical instruments and apparatus
  • 15 items
    Handbooks and manuals

    Drugs and medicines of North America

    • A quarterly devoted to the historical and scientific discussion of the botany, pharmacy, chemistry and the therapeutics of the medicinal plants of North America, their constituents, products and sophistications
    • 1884-Apr – 1887-Jun

    Select plates digitized including drawings of plant specimens, maps illustrating locale of plant specimens as well as magnified illustrations of plant parts.

    • Creator Of Work Lloyd, C. G. (Curtis Gates), 1859-1926, Lloyd, John Uri, 1849-1936
    • Subject Botany, Medical, Phytogeography, Pharmacy, Drugs, Materia medica
  • Illustrations

    The Pasteur Boom—High Times for Hydrophobists

    • 1885-Dec-23

    Featured on the back cover of Puck magazine, this cartoon entitled "The Pasteur Boom—High Times for Hydrophobists" mocks those who traveled to France to receive Louis Pasteur's (1822-1895) new vaccine for the rabies…

    • Printer Mayer, Merkel & Ottmann
    • Subject Rabies--Vaccination, Pasteur, Louis, 1822-1895, Political cartoons, Vaccination, Public health
  • Prints, Etchings

    The Agnew Clinic

    • Circa 1889

    This photogravure by Gebbie & Husson Co. Ltd. reproduces Thomas Eakins' painting known as The Agnew Clinic (or The Clinic of Dr. Agnew). Eakins was commissioned by the University of Pennsylvania Medical Class of 1889 to…

    • After Eakins, Thomas, 1844-1916
    • Creator Of Work Gebbie & Husson Co. Ltd.
    • Subject Women--Health and hygiene, Eakins, Thomas, 1844-1916, Women's health services, White, J. William (James William), 1850-1916, Surgery--Study and teaching, Nurses, Lumpectomy, Medical students, Gebbie & Husson Co. Ltd., Agnew, D. Hayes (David Hayes), 1818-1892, Medicine--Study and teaching, University of Pennsylvania. Hospital, Women in medicine
  • Photographs

    Students in anatomy class at Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania

    • 1895

    Cyanotype depicting a group of female students participating in an anatomy class at the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania. The group is gathered around a table working on a human cadaver. The students' names are…

    • Subject Women medical students, Women in medicine, Medical students, Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania, Medicine--Study and teaching, Anatomy--Study and teaching, Human anatomy--Study and teaching, Fee, Margaret, Israel, Clara T., Kopp, Kate W., Reiser, Magdalena B., Sharp, Jennie S.
  • Ephemera

    How Antitoxines are Developed

    • 1895-Jan-05

    Page from the Harper's Weekly journal is entitled "How Antitoxines are Developed" and features content and photographic reproductions related to using antitoxins as a vaccine for the diphtheria virus. Top photograph is…

    • Publisher Harper & Brothers
    • Subject Diphtheria--Prevention, Diphtheria antitoxin, Public health, Vaccination, Injections, Medical care, Medical laboratories, Laboratories
  • Illustrations

    Plate No. 16: Medicinal Plants

    • Part of The Book of Health
    • 1898

    Depicts dill, peppermint, spurge-laurel, and black bryony.

    • Author Lyman, Henry M. (Henry Munson), 1835-1904
    • Publisher W.P. Mason
    • Subject Peppermint, Daphnes, Black bryony, Medicine, Medicinal plants, Dill, Medicine, Popular
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