Historic Diabetes Items

[FrankDr]

Has anyone seen a display (like in a museum) of antique diabetic supplies? I've come across some items from the 1910 - 1940's (books, insulin bottles, syringes) that I have collected and plan to put on display in a local library.

I wondered if anyone else has seen any displays like this before?

Thanks

[Tokyo Cate]

That would be really interesting. I haven't seen anything, but it would be fascinating to see how far we have come; having said that, my local branch of the Canadian Diabetes Association has a few items on display that were donated by members or their families.

[seacomp]

I've come across some items from the 1910 - 1940's (books, insulin bottles, syringes) I have to wonder what the very early items are. Insulin was not discovered until the 20s; there was no diabetic treatment available before then except extreme diet.
It would be great if you post some picture of your stuff. If you're a good photographer, comparison pictures of early versus modern syringes would be interesting.

[BriOnH]

That would be awesome to see such a display.

[JasonJayhawk]

I have to wonder what the very early items are. Insulin was not discovered until the 20s; there was no diabetic treatment available before then except extreme diet.
It would be great if you post some picture of your stuff. If you're a good photographer, comparison pictures of early versus modern syringes would be interesting.

My parents have an old two-volume medical book is dated pre-insulin days. It was "fun" reading about diabetes and all they knew back then -- and shockingly, some of their suspicions were right. It basically said no cure was available.

Some old pages about Diabetes from old books are available here on books.google.com:

diabetes - Google Book Search (http://books.google.com/books?q=diabetes&btnG=Search+Books&as_brr=1)

[FrankDr]

I have to wonder what the very early items are. Insulin was not discovered until the 20s; there was no diabetic treatment available before then except extreme diet.
It would be great if you post some picture of your stuff. If you're a good photographer, comparison pictures of early versus modern syringes would be interesting.

Yes, the oldest item I have is the book "A Diabetic Manual for the Mutual Use of Doctor and Patient" by E.P. Joslin 2nd edition 1919 - unmarked; probably never really read. One of the classics on diabetes, revised after the author's service in World War I. It has some very interesting sections, such as one where the discovery of insulin is forshadowed -
As yet all attempts to treat diabetes successfully by feeding patients the healthy pancreatic glands of animals, by the use of extracts made from the gland or by grafting portions of a healthy gland under the skin, have failed. Nevertheless, it is hoped that some measure of success will be achieved eventually along these lines
and some others I like

Mental diversion is desirable, but anxiety is harmful. Heavy responsibilities should be avoided as well as nervous upsets and emotional excitements

Therefore all individuals who have a tendency toward diabetes should be especially urged to take vacations, and the good effect of vacations should be generally pointed out.

have a hobby and not to make it a labor; to be cheerful and to keep their minds occupied, and, so far as possible, to continue the previous currents of their lives.

90 years later - it still sounds like good advice . . .

[JediSkipdogg]

Just an image I found....

http://c.myspace.com/Groups/00000/69/57/67596_l.jpg

[Miss Jade]

There is a pharmacy in Brisbane called Huxam's that specialises in diabetes care (the pharmacist is a T1). They have all sorts of antique diabetes stuff on display in cabinets. It is a pretty good collection.

[spike]

I wondered if anyone else has seen any displays like this before?

Thanks

No. but here's a pic of an early insulin pump
Google Image Result for http://www.runsweet.com/mediac/400_0/media/first~insulin~pump.jpg (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.runsweet.com/mediac/400_0/media/first~insulin~pump.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.runsweet.com/37830/index.html%3F*session*id*key*%3D*session*id*val*&h=318&w=235&sz=16&hl=en&sig2=87f1sQYnhWhjcxNyQ4VWOw&start=26&tbnid=MOY82drfd42ibM:&tbnh=118&tbnw=87&ei=Eq0_Ra3qMaHIigG4m8CtDg&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dinsulin%2Bpump%26start%3D18%26ndsp%3D 18%26svnum%3D100%26hl%3Den%26lr%3Dlang_en%26safe%3 Doff%26sa%3DN)

[seacomp]

Yes, the oldest item I have is the book "A Diabetic Manual for the Mutual Use of Doctor and Patient" by E.P. Joslin 2nd edition 1919 - unmarked; probably never really read.
I would assume that E.P. Joslin is somehow associated with Joslin clinic. Am I correct?
Thanks for the pictures!!!

[BriOnH]

10 units per 1 cc. Man that's a tiny bit of insulin for such a large dose. 1cc = 100 units by todays standards. Wild.

[parrotletzoo]

My mother used ot have a little wood box to keep her insulinvials in and at one time I had a plastic one but I have no clue what happened to either. sad really, I wishi i still had them and the glass syrenges my mom used to have.

[FrankDr]

I would assume that E.P. Joslin is somehow associated with Joslin clinic. Am I correct?
Thanks for the pictures!!!

I found this on the Joslin clinic web site (http://www.joslin.org/848_1883.asp)


1898: Elliott P. Joslin, M.D., begins private practice on Beacon Street in Boston, and a few years later moves his practice to 81 Bay State Road.

1934: The George F. Baker Building is opened on the New England Deaconess Hospital site on Pilgrim Road and houses research laboratories for Dr. Joslin and colleagues.

1952: Dr. Joslin’s group practice became formally known as Joslin Clinic

[lilituc]

There is a book about Joslin and the history of diabetes called Bittersweet: Diabetes, Insulin, and the Transformation of Illness by Chris Feudtner. I read it and it was an ok history, but the subject matter might be more than some of us can handle to read about. It also has pictures which even I had a hard time with.