History of Medicine Artifacts

Historical medical instruments, artifacts and other objects ranging in age from the 16th to 20th centuries

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Homeopathic medicine chest, late 19th century homst04045
View the highlight item: Spring lancet, 19th century
Spring lancet, 19th century homst54050
View the highlight item: Carved ivory memento mori, approximately 1650
Carved ivory memento mori, approximately 1650 homst52017
View the highlight item: R. & J. Beck Compound binocular microscope,...
R. & J. Beck Compound binocular microscope,... homst52001
View the highlight item: Pocket hypodermic kit, undated
Pocket hypodermic kit, undated homst45003

Source Collection

This digital collection comprises selected materials from the following archival collection at David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library:

History of Medicine artifacts collection 1550-2000s

Collection #RL.10155 | 51.5 Linear Feet (about 855 items)

ABSTRACT
Collection consists of historical medical instruments and artifacts, art objects, realia, and other three-dimensional objects related to the history of medicine, primarily originating from Europe and the United States, but including some artifacts from China and Japan. Ranging in age from the late 16th to the early 21st centuries, objects include medical kits and pharmaceutical items (often in the original cases and bags); equipment used in amputation, obstetrics, opthalmology, surgery, urology, neurology, early electrical therapies, and in research and diagnostic settings; instructional objects such as anatomical models and figurines; and other objects such as apothecary jars, cupping glasses, infant feeders, a bas-relief memento mori, and fetish figures. There are many models of microscopes, ear trumpets, and stethoscopes, dating from the 17th to the 20th century. Includes some original medicines, such as pills and capsules. Accquired as part of the History of Medicine Collections at Duke University.

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Adopted by Harsha Murthy T'81 in memory of M.S.N. Murthy, M.D.