Common Threads exhibit by Jean Shin at the Smithsonian Museum of American Art: This exhibit is made out of a collection of similar everyday objects. For example, "Chemical Balance III" makes lighted stalactite- and stalagmite-like sculptures out of empty prescriptions containers. According to the artist, this part of the exhibit speaks to a dependency on… Continue reading Interesting Smithsonian exhibits on medicine
Dissection: Photographs of a Rite of Passage in American Medicine 1880–1930
Throughout medical history, the practice of dissection has been controversial. During some periods of history it was distasteful or even illegal. At other times it served as the cornerstone of anatomy classes. Public opinion and differences in religious beliefs often meant that some cultures accepted the practice while others did not. The Dittrick Medical History… Continue reading Dissection: Photographs of a Rite of Passage in American Medicine 1880–1930
Nurses Appreciation Day
Youngstown State University, Maag Library, and the Rose Melnick Medical Museum would like to invite all local nursing students, practicing nurses, and retired nurses to a morning of recognition on Friday, May 8th. The event will be held at the Melnick Medical Museum starting at 8:30 am. The event will include several speakers, a light… Continue reading Nurses Appreciation Day
Medical library being cataloged!
The Rose Melnick Medical Museum is excited to annouce the beginning of a library cataloging project. We are in the process of creating catalog records for the hundeds of books and periodicals in our medical library collection. These records will be available in Youngstown State University's Maagnet catalog and on the OhioLink catalog. These catalog… Continue reading Medical library being cataloged!
Physical vs. technological diagnosis
In modern medicine, physicians are greatly aided in diagnosis by new machines and technology. Undoubtedly these devices provide more accurate and detailed information than the old, low-tech methods, which usually leads to better treatment for the patient. However, some vestiges of the old methods are still in use and still provide valuable information for a… Continue reading Physical vs. technological diagnosis
Special Saturday hours
The Rose Melnick Medical Museum is currently open by appointment only. However, the Museum will be open to the public on Saturday, April 28th from 10 am to 4pm for the Lake to River Science Fair. The Museum will also be open the following Saturday, May 4th from 10am to 4pm for History Day at… Continue reading Special Saturday hours
Women in medicine
In honor of Women's History Month, this post will highlight some of the roles women have played in the field of medicine throughout history. Evidence from surviving artwork and texts reveals that women in ancient Rome and Egypt were physicians. At this time, the practice of medicine in most parts of the world was closely… Continue reading Women in medicine
19th century doctors in the U.S.
During the late 1800s, many advances in medical knowledge and technology resulted in dramatic changes to many areas of the profession. The two major advances were the acceptance of the germ theory of disease and the use of anesthesia during surgery. These two discoveries, in combination with continued research of the human body and the… Continue reading 19th century doctors in the U.S.
19th century amputation and surgical kits
The artifact collection at the Rose Melnick Medical Museum includes one amputation set and one surgical kit, both from the 19th century. Both kits contain tools for general surgical procedures of the time including tourniquets, knives and scalpels, capital saws, tenacula, and artery forceps. Both kits also include trephining tools for cutting the skull. Although… Continue reading 19th century amputation and surgical kits
Early pharmaceutical tools
Before the industrial production of medicines, all syrups, ointments, pills, and salves were made by hand- often by a trained apothecary or pharmacist. Over the years, specialized tools were developed to assist these specialists in making a variety of medicines. Mortars and pestles were used to grind, pulverize, and mix herbs and powdered medicines. They… Continue reading Early pharmaceutical tools
Melnick Medical Museum 