Mind-altering drugs have been used throughout the history of America. While some remain socially acceptable, others are outlawed because of their toxic – and intoxicating – characteristics. These classifications have shifted at different times in history and will continue to change. To illustrate this, the UT Southwestern Health Sciences Digital Library & Learning Center is pleased to host Pick Your Poison: Intoxicating Pleasures & Medical Prescriptions, a six-banner traveling exhibition that explores the factors that have shaped the changing definitions of some of our most potent drugs: from medical miracle to social menace. The exhibit will be on display until December 26, 2015.

A “Digital Gallery” offering a selection of digitized, historical texts from the History of Medicine Division’s diverse collections can be found as part of the online version of the exhibition. These images provide viewers with new avenues to explore beyond the exhibition. Educators will also find expanded resources online for middle school and college level classroom use.

This exhibition was produced by the National Library of Medicine and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. It is curated by Manon Parry, PhD, Assistant Professor of Public History, University of Amsterdam.