The Collection on the History of Health Education

With the emergence of middle-class society in the 18th century, the human body became an economic factor. What people ate, how they slept, and how they cleansed and clothed themselves began to matter. By the 20th century, there was a boom in health recommendations, abetted in part by the enormous impetus that had gathered in the natural sciences. The campaigns against serious infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, venereal diseases, and cancer and on topics like diet and addiction reflect biological and medical knowledge variously disseminated in various political systems in war and peace.

This collection contains posters, photographs, anatomic models, molds, specimens, films, health guides, and photodocumentation of exhibitions.

The Deutsches Hygiene-Museum, its exhibitions, and its instructional materials played a prominent role in major campaigns to enlighten the public about health issues, linking this collection intimately to the museum’s history.

Publications:

Hauptsache gesund. Gesundheitsaufklärung zwischen Disziplinierung und Emanzipation

Rechtzeitig erkannt – heilbar. Krebsaufklärung im 20. Jahrhundert

Wachs - Moulagen und Modelle

Moulagen - Krankheitsbilder in Wachs site link