Object Details
- Description
- Ovoid-shaped medallion with a curb linked bracelet in silver. The medallion has the words MEDIC ALERT in red enamel flanking the medical symbol the Rod of Asclepius. The back of the bracelet is engraved in script "Allergic to Horse Serum/Asprin/Sulpha". This is the first MedicAlert© bracelet. It was made for Linda Collins after it was discovered she was allergic to horse serum.
- The MedicAlert© Foundation, a non-profit organization, was founded in 1956 by Dr. Marion Collins to alert health care workers to critical but not apparent emergency health situations. Dr. Collins' fourteen-year-old daughter, Linda, suffered a severe allergic reaction to tetanus antitoxin that contained horse serum. Not wanting to experience a similar situation, the family struggled to come up with a solution. Linda herself suggested wearing a bracelet would alert health care workers in an emergency situation. Dr. Collins took a rough sketch of a bracelet to a jeweler, and the MedicAlert© bracelet was born. Engraved on the back of each bracelet or medallion is the medical condition of the wearer. On the reverse side each MedicAlert© ID has a unique membership number that links to the foundation database. In an emergency situation, medical authorities can access members' medical information.
- Originally there were just two styles of medical ID’s: a silver or stainless steel bracelet, and a medal disk worn on a chain around the neck. According to MedicAlert© Perspectives 1956-1996, the first change in design to the medical ID came in the 1980's. In 1987 14K gold bracelets were introduced and crystal and silver beaded bracelets were added at the turn of the 21st century. Today millions of people with special or hidden health conditions wear medical ID’s and the choices available are quite impressive. Bracelets and pendants can be found in silver, gold, titanium, leather, silicon, and fabric in a variety of colors.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Credit Line
- Chrissie W. Collins
- about 1955
- ID Number
- 2018.0190.01
- accession number
- 2018.0190
- catalog number
- 2018.0190.01
- Object Name
- bracelet, medical ID
- Physical Description
- silver (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 2.3 cm x 16.4 cm; 29/32 in x 6 15/32 in
- place made
- United States: California
- See more items in
- Medicine and Science: Medicine
- National Museum of American History
- Record ID
- nmah_1892784
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746b3-aa7d-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
