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The technology in medicine has advanced a lot since the 1800s. From the original stethoscope to the Influenza Vaccines, there has been a great deal of research to improve these devices. The purpose of my museum exhibit is to show how medical technology has advanced from the 1800s to the late 1900s. I intend to educate on each object and explain why these newer discoveries help with medicine today.
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In the early 1800s, Rene Laennec, invented the stethoscope. A wooden tube which allowed a doctors to hear a heart rhythm. The monaural stethoscope was created to help make a procedure less awkward for female patients (The original procedure was performed by placing the doctor's ear to patient's chest). This was created for doctors to be able to hear a patient's heart beat to ensure it was beating healthily. Eventually, a new stethoscope was created which made it more easily accessible. -
In 1829, the medicine, Aspirin, was produced from the drug salicylic acid. This helped and still helps people to relieve pain (such as headaches and body aches) by alleviating inflammation (mostly in joints or muscles). By doing so, this helps doctors by prescribing a different does if needing a higher dose. Aspirin was created for the very reason of reducing inflammation and was originally only accessible through doctors.
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Anesthetics became way more popular in the year 1844. It was first used as Nitric Oxide and was developed by a dentist named Horace Wells. This was a much needed device as it helped and still helps patients during a surgery by putting them "to sleep" which helps to eliminate pain. As this is used mostly for surgeries, it can be used for smaller procedures as the amount given varies depending on the patient's weight and level of procedure being done.
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The goal of my exhibit is to get the audience to understand how each piece of equipment was used. I hope the audience learns why it is important that new medical devices are created when there is a change in research or new technology outside of medicine is discovered (such as computers; cell phones).
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The cholera vaccine was one of the first forms of medicine made in a lab. It was important this was created to help resolve the Cholera epidemic. This vaccine works by injecting a small amount of the live virus into the patient which helps create some immunity to the virus. This took around a year to be created and helped stop the Cholera epidemic. -
In 1895, X-Rays became essential for surgeons and doctors in the battlefield. They helped find bullets in soldiers. This has helped because today with the advancements of this technology, doctors can diagnose issues more easily. X-Rays uses radiation (which passes through your body) to take a special image of an object. This helps to see underneath the skin and see what the underlying problem is. -
During the 1918 Influenza epidemic, many people were ending up in the hospital. This eventually led to a nurse shortage. At the time, they were so desperate for nurses that they started advertising for nurses to complete a "fast tracked" program. This shows how badly the influenza epidemic was as they had to advertise. Typically you do not see an advertisement for nurses as you should not want to have to as it is a semi serious job. -
The Cincinnati Board of Health put up this poster and gave the public information on how to slow the spread of the influenza epidemic. This helps to give concise but detailed information on how to slow the transmission of the virus. As this was a vital factor during this time period, keeping the windows open to promote air flow was a key factor. -
In 1932, Dr. Albert Hyman came up with the idea of the pacemaker by coming up with a "spring-wound hand cranked electro mechanical instrument." This eventually became known as the "artificial pacemaker". This helped keep the beat of a heart in a patient. Typically it is inserted underneath the skin to help ensure the heart is beating correctly. Above is an image of a replica of Dr. Albert Hyman's "artificial pacemaker" -
This invention won Felix Bloch and Edward Mills Purcell the Nobel Peace Prize in Physics. The first "non invasive diagnosis". This was mainly created to tell the difference between cancerous and non-cancerous cells. According to gehealthcare, there was a theory that cancerous cells retain more water and with an MRI, you can see the increased number of hydrogen atoms in comparison to extra water in the body.
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A new influenza (Flu) vaccine is being discovered in the picture above. As there are many different flu strains, there is a higher need for new flu vaccines each year. As new strains appear each year, it is imperative a new vaccine comes out. As this varies by person, getting the vaccine if very controversial. Some people claim they get the Flu when they receive the vaccine. During the influenza epidemic, the picture below shows what it is like creating a vaccine and how serious it needs to be. -