An unofficial blog about the National Museum of Health and Medicine (nee the Army Medical Museum) in Silver Spring, MD. Visit for news about the museum, new projects, musing on the history of medicine and neat pictures.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Letter of the Day: December 11 [an update from Antietam]
Frederick, Md.
Dec. 11th, 1862
Dear Doctor:
I enclose you my notes of Specimens gathered since Antietam. They amount in all to 187.
I have worked pretty hard over them and I hope you will be satisfied. Many of them are not cleaned off – in some even the soft parts remain – simply from the fact that I did not have the time for so much labor as that would have necessitated. This work could I knew be better done in Washington + as I was anxious to get as full notes as possible I have rather devoted my time and not without result to gathering them.
The specimens are divided into two series 1. Bony + soft specimens 1-165 which occupy the largest part and 2. “Arterial specimens” 1-22 which how ever though mostly are not altogether arterial; but I thought it best not to make too many series for fear of confusion. The former are mostly marked by tins the latter entirely – as I had no readier means – by knotted strings.
Dr. Hewitt has furnished me a large number of specimens and many not in his own name are still from the Hospital under his charge (Gen. Hosp. No 5). He has not been able yet to give me full notes on his own personal cases + by arrangement will therefore send to you direct – numbered to correspond to my list – the histories of the following cases
5 [Danl Hartey. full amp]*
13 [Mo. Welsh. com fract of tarsus]*
14 [Chi Carney. fract of femur lower 30]*
19
20 [M. Dock. fr. of elbow]*
24 [Lewis Wrath. amp shouler joint]*
25 [L. Bard. resection of wrist]*
26 [J. Martin. resec. of wrist]*
27 [Jo. West. resec. of Elbow]*
28 [J. Dennison. resec of __]*
29 [Pamc. Doyle. Resec. of elbow]*
34 [Chs Schaffer. amp left ankle]*
35 [Jim Loaly. amp thight]*
36 [Clark Stillwell. amp of leg]*
40 [M. Floran. resec of condyls of femur]*
61 [H. Hanger. amputation]*
62 [Ian McQueen. amputation]*
63 [M. Henry. amp]*
64 [J. Dibbey. amputation]*
104 [Thos. Nerny. knoyout [?] amputate]*
138 [Alonzo Freeman. arterial S/1 no. 11]*
139 [Lewis Meeker “ “ “ 12]*
142 [J. OBrian. amp of the 3rd of femur]*
143 [Pat Doyle. amp of 3rd of tibia]*
144 [Kennelly. amp of lower 3rd tibia]*
148 [Shay. arterl sh. 17]*
154 [Murphy [?] “ “ 15]*
155 [Geo. Bray. artl 16]*
The rough notes I have of them may be of use in case by any accident he be not able to send his own. As yet (9 Am) I have not got from him the bones of case 155 nor the artery in case 139.
A Cadet of his Mr. Hannen of Hartford Conn. has been very industrious in his work over the specimens. Should you desire any additional aid in preparing those you have in the office for the museum he would be glad to have the work to do and as a sample of what he can do I persuaded him to send you from Hartford a muscular, arterial, + nervous preparation of a boy and also a prepared knee joint. If you like them they may be worth presentation in the museum.
Surg J. B. Lewis U.S.N. Gen. Hospital No. 6 has sent me also 4 very beautiful specimens. He likewise will send you direct the notes of cases nos. 23 [resec of Ho4 humery [?]*, 41 [No. 2 resec of elbow]*, 96 [Amp of Ho4 Tibia No. 3]*, 159 [Reice [?] Ulna no. 4]* numbered to correspond with my list.
Asst. Surg J. H. Bill USA in charge Gen Hosp No. 3 has as yet sent no but one specimen (no. 1). With notes however of several others, the specimens to accompany the notes may however be sent according to promise today + will in that case be enclosed with the others.
From our own G Hospital (Gen. Hosp. No. 1 in charge of R. J. Weir Asst Surg. USA) there are 105 specimens in all. They are credited to the operators whether ante- or past- mortem. The notes in most cases are quite complete and the credit primarily is due for this fact to the exertions of the surgeon in charge who, so far as I am aware, is the only one who has insisted and successfully on keeping up a Hospital Case Book, among all the Hospitals in this place. In this respect as in almost every other regard this Hospital as a model for every one of which I have as yet at least any knowledge.
There have been 4 deaths from Chloroform in Frederick since Antietam. One (as states in the notes to case 102) here one at No. 4 + two at No. 5. I send full notes of our own case - the only one I could obtain – and also notes of a case which was under my observation while at Eckington Hospital D.C. In neither case was any due care lacking. With the case here I send also a specimen of the chloroform used, for examination. Had the means been present, I should have done so myself. The result if it be examined I should like exceedingly to know as I have a copy of the notes. Some of it has also been sent to the maker Squibb in N. Y.
Dr. Weir has the Specimen of a case of wound of the common carotid, in which he performed Synu’s Operation for a traumatic aneurism extending from the jaw to the clavicle + from the sternocleido to the trachea which was pushed one inch to the opposite sides together with the spinal cord with the buckshot in it from the Lance Case both of which he will forward soon; as also the note of an extremely interesting operation for the ligature of the external ihac (approaching it from the inside) for a large traumatic aneurism of the femoral just below Ponpart ligament.
I enclose also (no. 160) the notes on a very curious + I believe rare malformation of the intestines in a case of Typhoid fever which also came under my observation Eckington in May last. The specimens you will find on a shelf over the clothes pegs in 2 bottles in my room at Mrs. Nisbet where I left them when ordered off from Washington.
I enclose also my bills for sundry articles purchased. The amount in all to 11.50. Had I known before I purchased the Bbl + Whiskey I should have written to you to express me one but Dr. Weir informed me you would do so a few days too late. The Whiskey through casting a good deal is the cheapest I could find in town.
Dr. Davis from Birmingham Eng. I have left to take charge of the specimens after I leave tomorrow. He is very enthusiastic in surgery and to such a degree that his object in coming to this country was simply to see the surgery of the War. Until a recent date he has done one full duty on our staff without compensation. He will I think be very efficient + is by far the best man with the best prospect of perseverancey here that I could think of.
In conclusion I think I have learned a great deal even from the very oftentimes cursory examinations I have made of the specimens and if I have satisfied yourself and the Surgeon General in my labors I am amply repaid.
My transfer to West Philadelphia is the most agreeable change possible + the greatest favor I could ask + if you have done aught to aid it let me give you my hearty thanks.-
Very Respectfully
You Obt Svt
Friend + old pupil
W.W. Keen,
Act Asst Surg, USA
[To] John H. Brinton, M.D.
Surgeon U.S.N.
Curator Nat Med Army Museum
Washington, D.C.
*Indicates notes written on the letter, with red pen in a different had, presumably added upon receipt of specimens
Friday, December 10, 2010
Civil War photos slowly be added to Flickr
I’m posting about three pictures a day to Flickr from the Contributed Photographs collection. Many of these images are from the Civil War -
http://www.flickr.com/photos/medicalmuseum/sets/72157614294677868/
Letter of the Day: December 10
K/T 7
Department of State,
Washington.
December 10, 1895.
The Honorable
The Secretary of War.
Sir:-
I have the honor to transmit for the information of the Surgeon General of the Army a memorandum with enclosures, furnished by the Norwegian War Department relating to military hospital equipment in Norway.
I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
Richard Clury
Enclosures:
Enclosures in No. 91, November 27, 1895, from our Minister to Sweden and Norway.
[Verso]
1st Endorsement
War Department, Surgeon General’s Office.
December 11, 1895.
Respectfully referred to LIEUTENANT COLONIAL D.L. HUNTINGTON, Deputy Surgeon Genera;, U. S. Army, in charge of Museum and Library Division, who will please prepare a letter of acknowledgement.
Geo. M. Sternberg
Surgeon General, U. S. Army.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Michelle and Megan 12/09/10
The eye starts off as a tiny groove in the folds of the brain tissue. Later, as the folds become the forebrain, the groove turns into a bump, known as the optic vesicle. The optic vesicle is connected to the forebrain by a thin hollow tube, called the optic stalk, which allows the brain to send messages to the eye. The optic vesicle then comes into contact with a layer of the skin known as ectoderm. The ectoderm thickens and moves inward to form the lens vesicle. Meanwhile, the optic vesicle also moves inward to begin forming the two layers of the retina, which later join together. The lens vesicle then increases in length and small fibers are formed connecting the lens to the retina. The thin membrane that covers the lens disappears to provide communication between the two chambers of the eye. The cornea is formed by the combination of a layer of the ectoderm, stroma and epithelial layer. A groove in the back of the optic vesicle allows the hyaloid artery to enter the eye. Later, the hyaloid artery disappears leaving behind a hollow path known as the hyaloid canal, and the optic stalk’s walls grow from an increase in fibers turning the optic stalk into the optic nerve.
TODAY: Lunchtime Talk with Author Arthur Ainsberg
December 9, 2010, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
National Museum of Health and Medicine
6900 Georgia Avenue NW
Building 54 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center
Washington, DC 20307
In “Breakthrough,” authors Thea Cooper and Arthur Ainsberg tell the true story of the invention of insulin, one of the most important medical advances of the 20th century. Ainsberg will talk about this fascinating tale of Nobel prize-winning research, and the brave little girl who risked everything for the groundbreaking experiment that saved not only her life but the lives of countless others.
Letter of the Day: December 9 [mystery diagnosis, part 2]
Lieut. P. C. Fauntleroy
Assistant Surgeon, U. S. Army,
Fort Niobrara, Neb.
Dear Doctor:
I have examined the two slides from the case of gonorrhoea referred to in your letter of December 2nd, and have been unable to discover either gonococcus [sic], or any other microorganism. I may say that this is the first time that I have ever examined urethral pus without finding some variety of bacteria present. There are, however, certain bodies with faintly stained protoplasm, and deeply stained round nuclei (with methylene blue), which do not appear to be any variety of leucocyte [sic] known to me. This body may contain from 1 to 5 deeply stained rounded masses. I am at quite a loss to say what these bodies are, unless they belong to some variety of animal parasite. I will, therefore ask you, if the patient is still under your care, to send me a half-dozen more cover slips made with urethral pus, and also a small quantity of his morning's urine. If you have any formaline I would suggest that you add about three drops of formaline to the urine so that it will not undergo decomposition in transit. I am curious to see whether I can find the same bodies in the sedimented urine.
Very sincerely yours,
Walter Reed
Surgeon, U.S. Army,
Curator
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Letter of the Day: December 8
Smithsonian Institution, Dec. 8, 1869.
Dr. Geo: A. Otis;
Army Medical Museum
Dear Sir:
A gentleman in New York has offered us a Series of valuable Indian relics provided we can obtain for him a collection of the “Photographs of injuries to bones, and other surgical illustrations,” prepared under the direction of the Army “Medical Museum.” If you can furnish us with such a collection you will place us under an obligation which we shall be happy to reciprocate, as the series of relics offered contains many objects that we earnestly desire to posses.
Your obdt. Servant
Joseph Henry
Secty Smithn. Instn.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Letter of the Day: December 7 ( 2 of 2)
A.M.M. 6579 Section I
Santa Fe, N.M.
December 7th 1875
Surgeon General U.S.A.
Washington, D.C.
Sir:
I have the honor to inform you that I have this day delivered the remains of the hands of Srgt. Wm. Summers Co. “I” 15th Infy, for the Army Medical Museum, to Capt. J. H. Belcher Asst Quarter-Master Santa Fe, N.M. for transportation.
Very Respectfully
Your obedient serant,
T.A. McParlin
Surgeon U.S.A.
Letter of the Day: December 7 (1 of 2)
Vicksburg, Miss.
Dec 7 1868
Dear Col.
I have collected more than three hundred specimens, some of which are valuable, while others, I fear, may be deemed quite worthless. The pottery is fragile and the skulls are exceedingly frail, and though I have packed these articles which much care I am unwilling to forward them to you as ordinary freight without first asking your advice. While some of them may go safe enough I feel that others should be intrusted (sic) to the care of an express agent.
The field of observation in this valey (sic) is exceedingly large and I find I have only just broken ground. I feel assured of being able to make many and very valuable discoveries even with the means at my disposal. I have thus far procured details of soldiers and have expended about eighteen dollars. I think I could use five hundred to advantage. The fifty has not been received.
Very Respectfully
Yours +c
Eben Swift
Surg U.S.A.
To Geo. A. Otis
Bt. Lt. Col. + A. Surg U.S.A.
Curator Army Med + Surg. Museum
Washington D.C.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Letter of the Day: December 6
U.S. Army General Hospital,
McKim’s Mansion, Baltimore, Dec 6 1862
Surgeon Brinton U.S.A.
Sir,
I send to day per Express a box of specimens (dry). I have but 2 wet specimens, and I will send them when I get enough to make it an object. Most, if not all the specimens from the National Hospital have no name attached to them by which to designate the operator. But in Dr. Bartholon’s [?] time he performed all the operations himself. The specimens for this hospital are by myself. Those for the other places are also appropriately marked. I waited for my boxes to mount the dry specimens, but as they did not arrive I was unwilling to keep you without the preparations any longer. I shall be pleased to take particular pains in the future to collect every specimen that can be collected. No history can be obtained relative to the bones contained in a single package from the National.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient Servant,
Lavington Quick
Surg. U.S.A.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Letter of the Day: December 5
War Department,
Surgeon General’s Office,
U.S. Army Medical Museum And Library,
Corner 7th and B Streets S.W.,
Washington, D.C., December 5, 1896.
To the Surgeon General, U.S. Army,
Washington, D.C.
General:
I have the honor to request authority to purchase for deposit in the Army Medical Museum:
1 Bianchi’s Phonendoscope modified by Baruch, Est. cost. $5.00 to be paid for from the Museum appropriation.
Very respectfully,
D.L. Huntington
Deputy Surgeon General, U.S. Army,
In charge of Museum and Library Division
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Museum a fave of Get Religion and exhibit featured in military newspaper
December 3, 2010
We're not part of the Smithsonian, but otherwise, thanks Mollie.
Exhibits at Walter Reed examine the war on terrorism
By Chelsea Place Pentagram Staff WriterThursday, December 2, 2010
Letter of the Day: December 4
Explorations and Surveys West of the 100th Meridian,
Washington, D.C., Dec. 4th, 1874
Dr Geo. Otis U.S.A.
Dear Sir
May I trespass on your kindness + ask you to have prepared for me as soon as possible a list of the Crania + skeletons collected by this expedition [ie Wheeler’s] + forwarded to the “Museum.” I would like also the diameters of the Crania + mention of any anatomical peculiarities +c. If I remember aright there was one skeleton which showed evidence of Pott’s disease. I am about preparing a Catalogue of our Crania + require the desired information for this purpose.
Very Truly yours
H.C. Yarrow
Friday, December 3, 2010
The Walter Reed Army Medical Center that might have been
REEVE 0002723
Army Medical Center. Army Medical Museum (sketch) proposed, ca 1917. [Architectural drawing.]
REEVE 0002897
Army Medical Center Chapel. Sketch (proposed). ca. World War 1
Reeve 003121A
Sketch of Army Medical School (proposed). Alaska Avenue Elevation. [Walter Reed General Hospital (Washington, D.C.). Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Architectural drawing.]
REEVE 0003146
Sketch of Army Medical Center. Nurses quarters training school. [Walter Reed General Hospital(Washington, D.C.). Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Architectural drawing.]
Letter of the Day: December 3
Dec. 3rd 1896
My dear Doctor
I have recently made a number of examinations of the blood of a patient who has a peculiar form of fever, and think I have discovered the Plasmodium in every instance.
I send you by to-days mail, two slides satined Chinzinsky's method, which I wish you would kindly take a look at when you have the time, and let me know whether or not there are any Plasmodia to be sure.
Very sincerely yours,
R. W. Johnson
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Ketcham and Hotchkiss' Navy cartoon posters from World War 2
Michelle and Megan Blog 12/2/10
Letter of the Day: December 2 [mystery diagnosis, part 1]
December 2nd, 1896
Major Walter Reed
Surgeon U.S. Army
Washington, D.C.
Dear Doctor:
I send you two slides from a gonorhoral [sic] case in which I have been unable to find either the active or latent form of the gonocaccus. I shall be very much obliged if you will take the trouble to examine them + let me know what is in there.
The patient had a severe attack of specific urethritis cystitis of which he was said to have been cured about six months ago. He denies exposure to specific contagion: says discharge began some two weeks ago after exposure to very severe weather on a trip to + from an Indian Reservation. The discharge has been continuous since his return.
Very respectfully,
P. C. Fauntleroy
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Talk and Book Signing with Author of "Breakthrough" on the Discovery of Insulin--12/9, 12pm FREE !
Lunchtime Talk and Book Signing with Author of "Breakthrough” on the Discovery of Insulin |
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Lunchtime Talk and Book Signing with Author Arthur Ainsberg of "Breakthrough: Elizabeth Hughes, the Discovery of Insulin, and the Making of a Medical Miracle" When: Thursday, December 9, 2010, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. What: In "Breakthrough," authors Thea Cooper and Arthur Ainsberg tell the true story of the invention of insulin, one of the most important medical advances of the 20th century. Ainsberg will talk about this fascinating tale of Nobel prize-winning research, and the brave little girl who risked everything for the groundbreaking experiment that saved not only her life but the lives of countless others. Where: Russell Auditorium, in the Museum, Bldg 54 on WRAMC campus Note: Books will be on sale in the lobby before and after the program ($25 each, cash or check only). Proceeds to benefit the AFIP MWR. Cost: FREE! Questions? Call (202) 782-2673 or e-mail nmhminfo@afip.osd.mil | ||
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Letter of the Day: December 1
David’s Island N.Y. Harbor
Dec. 1. 1872
Sir,
Your communication of June 25th 1872, requesting the pathological specimen in the case of Pvt. Burroughs Co F. 7th Inf was not received until to day, it having been send to Fort Buford – thence misdirected to Fort Shaw, again forwarded to Fort Buford and finally sent from that post to me through the Surgeon-General’s Office.
In reply I would respectfully state that the pathological specimen in question, after having been dissected by Dr. Barbour and myself was retained some days while we endeavored to find a jar at once suitable for its preservation and safe transportation. The specimen being large we did not succeed and finally disposed of it by burying on the prairie at some distance from the post. It would now be impractical to recover it.
Very respectfully
Your Obedient servant
W. Matthews
Asst Surg. U.S. Army
Asst Surg Geo A. Otis. U.S.A.
Curator A.M.M.
Washington. D.C.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Letter of the Day: November 30
Dr. Jay Perkins,
78 Broad Street,
Providence, R.I.
Nov. 30, 1896
Dear Sir:-
In an editorial in the Journal of the Am. Med. Assoc. reference is made to work done by you in regard to the Serum Diagnosis of Typhoid fever. I am now working up this subject for a medical society here and if you have written any thing which has been printed on this subject in any medical journals or publication of the sort[?], would you be kind enough to give me references to them? Or if nothing has been published would it be troubling
[over]
you too much to give me your opinion as to the value of the test. Thanking you in advance for any attention given to this I remain
Yours truly,
Jay Perkins
To Dr. Walter Reed
U.S. Army
Monday, November 29, 2010
Evacuation in military medicine article in Wash Post
U.S. strategy for treating troops wounded in Afghanistan, Iraq: Keep them moving
By David Brown
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, November 27, 2010
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/27/AR2010112702875.html
Museum collections continue to have relevance due to Dr. Taubenberger
Dr. Jeffrey Taubenberger was on the staff of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology when he did groundbreaking work on deducing the genetic code of influenza, using stored tissue samples collected by the Medical Museum in 1918. He’s gone back to one of those samples to make another exciting discovery.
Here’s the initial Wired story -
From 1918 Autopsy, A First Glimpse of Sickle Cell — and a Warning
- By Maryn McKenna
- November 15, 2010 |
- http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/11/from-a-1918-autopsy-a-first-glimpse-of-sickle-cell-%E2%80%94%C2%A0and-a-warning/
-an NPR followup -
92 Years Later, A Sickle-Cell Surprise
by NPR Weekend Edition Sunday November 28, 2010
http://www.npr.org/2010/11/28/131644641/92-years-later-a-sickle-cell-surprise
-and finally the original short report –
Sheng Z-M, Chertow DS, Morens D, Taubenberger J. Fatal 1918 pneumonia case complicated by erythrocyte sickling [letter]. Emerg Infect Dis. 2010 Dec; http://www.cdc.gov/eid/content/16/12/pdfs/10-1376.pdf
Letter of the Day: November 29
November 29, 1895
Mr. Ed Frossard
108 East 14th St.,
New York
Dear Sir:
Of the medals enumerated in your letter of the 23rd inst. I should like to examine the following which are not in this collection:
No. 1. Acrel.
" 2. Berzelius.
" 3. Flosser.
" 4. Hess.
" 5. Kreysig.
" 6. Linnaeus.
No. 8. Ros. A. Rosenstein.
" 9. Rudolphi.
" 10. Thunberg.
" 11. Fingsladius.
" 13. Hortus medicus.
If you have not yet disposed of the Fortunius Licetus medal referred to in your letter of Oct. 16th, I will take it at the price offered by you, viz., $33.60.
Very respectfully,
D.L. Huntington
Deputy Surgeon General, U.S. Army,
In charge of Museum and Library Division
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Letter of the Day: November 28
November 28 1874
Asst. Surgeon Geo. A. Otis, USA.
Curator Army Med. Museum.
Surgeon General’s Office
Washington, DC
Doctor:
In reply to your communication of the 11th I have to state that the pathological specimen in the case of Private James Cassidy recorded in the monthly report of this post for March 1874, was carefully preserved by my predecessor, Surgeon John F. Randolph, USA, for transmission to the Army Medical Museum. Through the carelessness of one of the hospital attendants it was lost, and all efforts to recover it have proved unavailing.
I am, Sir,
Very Respectfully Yrs,
R.M. O’Reilly
Asst Surgeon, USA
Post Surgeon
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Letter of the Day: November 27
[To] Assistant Chief, Medical Illustration Service
[From] Curator, Medical Museum
[Subject] Annual Meeting of the American Urological Association
Request that application be made for the presentation of the following exhibit at the Annual Meeting of the American Urological Association, to be held in the Hotel Roosevelt, New Orleans, Louisiana, 28 April – 1 May 1958:
a. Exhibit title: Some Contributions of Dr. Hugh H. Young to Operative Urology.
b. Exhibitor’s name: Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Col. H. W. Coddington, Curator and Helen R. Purtle, and the Instrument Collection Committee of the American Urological Association, Dr. Edward E. Ferguson, Chairman, Washington, D.C.
c. Description: This exhibit shows some of the instruments devised by Dr. Young with a brief biographical introduction.
d. Space requirement: Four, 4’ x 5’ panels (already constructed).
H. W. Coddington
Colonel, MSC, USA
Curator, Medical Museum
Friday, November 26, 2010
Letter of the Day: November 26
Surgeon U.S.V., in charge
U.S. General Hospital “Emory,”
Washington, D.C. Novr. 26th, 1864.
Sir:
I have the honor to transmit herewith One Pathological Specimen accompanied by Medical History.
Very Respectfully
Your Obedt Servt
NW. Moseley
Surgeon U.S.V.
In Charge
Brig. Genl J.K. Barnes
Surgeon General U.S.A.
Washington D.C.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Thanksgiving
REEVE 0015201 Thanksgiving dinner. Dinner served by Headquarters Troop 32nd Div. [Division] on Thanksgiving Day. The soldier in the picture is Sgt. [Sergeant] Robert B. Craik. Chateau Letellier, near Consdorf, Luxembourg, France. [Food and drink. United States. Army. Signal Corps.] World War 1.
REEVE 0011325 American Red Cross. Paris, France. Menu of Thanksgiving dinner. Original Signal Corps caption - Thanksgiving Dinner. Paris, France. Menu of Dinner given by the District of Paris Chapter of the ARC to men of the hospitals in Paris. [Food and drink.]
REEVE 0011324 AMERICAN RED CROSS. BLOIS, FRANCE. THANKSGIVING DINNER AT GRAND HOTEL. [World War 1]
NCP 3457 Thanksgiving dinner on the USS Repose at Inchon, Korea, in 1952. It is unlikely that this nurse found time to eat turkey that day. also in collection as MIS 09-5085-29 Inchon, Korea: Aboard USS Repose Thanksgiving Day. Lieutenant Junior Grade Weece Wood, Nurse Corps, U.S. Navy, assists Private 1st Class Jack W. Newman, U.S. Marine Corps, with his holiday dinner. [Wounds and injuries.][Korean War.][Food and drink.][Hospital ships. Transport of sick and wounded.][Scene.] Repose (AH-16) Folder 2 11/27/1952; USN 449212; U.S. Navy BUMED Library and Archives
MIS 09-5085-30 Inchon, Korea: Aboard USS Repose Thanksgiving Day. Corporal Richard R. Hollander, U.S. Marine Corps, is assisted with his dinner by Lieutenant Junior Grade Caldie Green (Nurse Corps) U.S. Navy. [Wounds and injuries.][Korean War.][Food and drink.][Hospital ships. Transport of sick and wounded.][Scene.] Repose (AH-16) Folder 2; 11/27/1952; USN 449213; U.S. Navy BUMED Library and Archives
NCP 006067 Thanksgiving. [Kitchen employees.] [Dietitians.]
...and a curiosity...
NCP 6472 New York, Nov. [November] 22-Crash victim given plasma. An unidentified doctor crawls into wreckage of two Long Island rail road trains here tonight to provide plasma for a victim pinned in the twisted jumble of steel. Trains bound from Manhattan to Long Island points, crowded with Thanksgiving Eve commuters, crashed in the Kew Gardens section of Queens. (APWirephoto) (See wire story) (OB42205stf) 50.
Letter of the Day: November 25
Tuesday Nov. 25th [1884]
My dear Doctor-
I have been looking over my Husband’s private letters but find none of the correspondence of which you spoke. Indeed I may say there is none of this scientific correspondence among the letters I have.
They are from many people and on divers subjects but with the exception of a few from Dr. Maddox on photo-micrographs, and some from Gen’l Cox on microscopic work and one or two from a German Doctor (Munnich the name I think) they are all more or less private letters.
I can send you the list of his library books and I think it is complete. Also a list of the various Societies he belonged to. But as to Diplomas or Certificates I can find nothing. I have one or two medals conferred upon him and all of his commissions.
I fancy you will find all of the letters you spoke of in his “letter book” at the office and as for the Diplomas +c if they are at the office, do you not think I ought to have them?
I have looked over the pamphlets and have quite a number ready to send you, if you will be so good as to dispose of them.
The other bound books I think you have a list of and I can send them to you at any time whenever you may want them.
With kindest regards,
Yours very truly
Blanche Woodward
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Early 1960s Civil Defense Medical Kits
Survival supplies furnished by Office of Civil Defense, Department of Defense, Medical Kit C, 300-325 Shelter Occupants [ca. 1963]
They at once are a fine complement to our Civil Defense and Cold War-era collections and also represent the interesting additions to the collection that are (re)discovered in one way or another. That medical material culture tucked away, hidden, and forgotten in rafters, attics, storage lockers and drawers.
Kelly's story, "No negative fallout from these shelters," is here:
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/22/AR2010112206978.html
Dangers of dental radiation and medical technology in Times
Radiation Worries for Children in Dentists’ Chairs
November 22, 2010
By WALT BOGDANICH and JO CRAVEN McGINTY
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/23/us/23scan.html
Peek into the Archives: Contributed Photographs collection
The "Contributed Photographs" collection, as it came to be known, consists of photographs donated or contributed to the Museum. Photographs arriving during and after the war were usually added to the Surgical Section and numbered like the bones were. Many photographs were sent by doctors who wished to see their cases included in the History. Doctors such as Reed Bontecou of Harewood Hospital in Washington, J.C. McKee of Lincoln General Hospital in Washington (who also provided surplus photographic equipment after the Museum's burglary), and J.H. Armsby of Ira Harris General Hospital in Albany, New York, contributed dozens of photographs at the end of the war. They received photographs from the Museum in exchange. Most of the photographs given to the Museum were albumen prints, but infrequently a tintype (a photograph printed on thin metal) was donated. (Otis to Lyster, May 11, 1866) Tintypes were never as popular as other photographs. (Welling, p. 117) Their dark background made medical subjects harder to see and reproduce in print.
Otis frequently wrote to surgeons requesting a photograph of a specific case which he would then have engraved for the History. He also wrote to patients asking them to have their wound photographed. Otis wrote to Charles Lapham, who had been with Co. K of the 1st Vermont Cavalry:
The interesting report of your case, which is recorded
in this office, leads me to desire to possess if possible, a
photograph which shall farther illustrate it. The Surgeon
General possesses photographs of a number of the very rare
cases in which patients have survived after the very grave
mutilation of the removal of both thighs, and has instructed
me to request you to have a photograph prepared, the expense
to be defrayed by this office.
It would be well to have two pictures taken: one
representing the stumps, the other the appearance with
artificial limbs attached.
The photographer might take two or three prints of each
to be retained by you, and then should forward the
negatives, carefully packed to this office, by express,
enclosing at the same time the bill for his services.
I enclose copies of a photograph of the size desired.
(Otis to Lapham, May 25, 1865)
Lapham had the work done and two photographs were added to the collection.
Otis commissioned physicians such as E.D. Hudson of New York City to take photographs for him. Writing to Hudson, Otis said "I am anxious to obtain photographs of double amputations of the thigh or leg and of other cases of unusual interest, and am willing to pay for such. I hereby authorize you to have photographs taken of cases of especial interest. As near as may be they should be uniform in size with those taken at the Army Medical Museum, of some of which you have copies." In the same letter, Otis sent a list of soldiers who had survived the operation of the excision of their humerus. Hudson, a maker of prosthetics, undoubtedly appreciated Otis' fulfilling his request for the names. Otis and Hudson's arrangements to look out for each others interests, resulted in striking photographs such as the two of Columbus Rush, a young Confederate from Georgia who lost both legs. (Otis to Hudson, February 7, 1866) Otis and Hudson cooperated so closely that Hudson was able to display his prosthetics in the Medical Department's exhibit at the Centennial fair. (Otis to Hudson, March 8, 1876)
For many years, these photographs received a Surgical Section number and were bound in volumes labeled Photographs of Surgical Cases. (Otis to Washburne, April 4, 1866) The photographs donated to the Museum were often rephototographed to be included in the Surgical Photograph series. Roland Ward's plastic surgery after the destruction of his lower jaw (SP 167-170, 186) is an example. Columbus Rush's photograph, in which he demonstrates his Hudson-made artificial legs, was copied and sent out as part of the series. Otis also purchased photographs from studios, buying "two dozen of the war views for the Museum" from E. & H.T. Anthony & Co. (Otis to Anthony, September 25, 1865)
Contributors of photographs like Hudson also used the pictures themselves. Dr. Gurdon Buck is particularly noteworthy for his use of photographs. He had engravings made of "before and after" photographs for his 1876 text on plastic surgery, Contributions to Reparative Surgery. In the engravings, Buck used drawn lines to explain his operation. Buck deposited a set of his photographs in the Army Medical Museum soon after the end of the war.
About 1876, as photographs of many sizes and from many people continued to arrive, the collection was removed from the Surgical Section and named the Contributed Photographs. Otis no longer had the photographs bound in albums. All of the photographs were renumbered from the beginning in red ink with the identifying "Cont. Photo." or the initials "C.P."6 Some of the best photographs were copied in the Museum and published as part of the Surgical Photograph series. Others were engraved for the History. Some photographs almost certainly taken by the Museum such as the one of Neil Wicks, probably by Bell,7 were added to the collection after the original negatives disappeared. Unfortunately, many photographs were given away by Daniel Lamb in 1915 including scores to Reed Bontecou's son.
Letter of the Day: November 24
R.D. No. 3
Oswego, New York
Oswego, New York
November 24, 1957
Mr. Robert W. Davis
Medical Museum of the Armed Forces
Washington, D.C.
Dear Mr. Davis:
Since reading the enclosed article in the Oswego Palladium Times, I thought I would write to you to see if the museum would be interested in purchasing a great deal of material I have on Dr. Mary Walker.
I am a "picker" for antique dealers, and I have a collection of things that were owned by Dr. Mary Walker. I have such things as the family sampler, many of Dr. Mary's medical books with her autograph on the fly leaf, her brass name plate with which she had her cards printed, a journal kept by Dr. Mary's father about 1820, the "sit tub" in which she bathed, the suitcase she carried during the war, her albums of many of the Civil War generals and friends of Civil War days, and many, many personal items such as letters, invitations, etc. I also have some actual snap-shots in large sizes, taken of her as an old lady. There are many pictures of her as a young woman in the albums. I also have her scrap book which she kept about herself, made up of clippings about her taken from the papers of her time. They are pasted in one of her old medical record office books.
My price on the entire collection is three hundred dollars. If the museum is interested please write me and I will send a detailed list of the things I have.
My address is listed on this stationary.
Very truly yours,
(Sgd) Mrs. Charles T. Sivers
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Adolph Cluss buildings and better ideas?
NCP 3064 (OLD RED BRICK" - ARMY MEDICAL MUSEUM BUILDING 1968, right before being demolished for the Hirschorn Museum.)
From 1887 to 1968, the Museum was in the Army Medical Museum & Library building (above) designed by Cluss. In 1971 it reopened at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
Now the Center is being shut down due to BRAC. In Sept 2011, the Museum will move to Silver Spring/Forest Glen, MD. for the first time in its history, it will not be located in the District, and the building currently under construction is significantly smaller than the space the Museum currently occupies.
Hmmmm....
Letter of the Day: November 23
Washington, D.C.
Nov. 23, 1863
Sir:
The confiscated Liquor on hand in this Dep't, has been ordered to be turned over to the Curator of the Army Medical Museum. I respectfully request that you state where the Liquor may be sent to?
Very Respectfully,
Your obdt. Servant
H. Johnson
M.S.K. U.S.A
and Actg. Med. Purveyor
[To]Surg. J.H. Brinton
U.S.A.
Curator of Nat. Med. Museum
Washington, D.C.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Letter of the Day: November 22
Surgeon General's Office,
Washington, D.C.
Nov. 22nd 1869
Sir:
I have the honor to report that the large Stereoscope in the Museum stall has become so disordered from constant use, as to require repairing.
Also, that one of the Thermometers was thrown down and broken, by Charles while washing the cases. He is commonly very careful.
I am, Sir, very respectfully,
Your obt. servant,
Rob't E. Williams Hospl. Steward
U.S. Army
Brt. Lt. Col. Geo. A. Otis,
Assistant Surgeon, U.S.A.
Curator, Army Med. Museum
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Letter of the Day: November 21
Fort Sill, Ind. Ty.
Nov. 21st 1875
To The Surgeon General U.S. Army
Washington D.C.
Sir:
I would respectfully state that a citizen, Thomas Dougherty, died in hospital on the 13th inst. of Remittent Fever – the deceased was however of intemperate habits. This patient was found to have an ununited fracture of the right forearm of a number of years standing – both bones were fracture. No attempt at bony union has resulted, and free motion remains between the upper and lower fragments. As the specimen appears to be somewhat interesting, the forearm which has been preserved, will if desired be suitably packed and turned over to the Post Quartermaster for shipment to the Army Medical Museum.
Very respectfully
Your obt. servant
F.L. Town
Surgeon U.S. Army
Post Surgeon
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Letter of the Day: November 20
U.S. National Museum,
Washington City, Nov. 20, 1878
Sir:
In accordance with the arrangement between the Smithsonian Institution and the Army Medical Museum, I have the honor to transmit the collections mentioned below, the receipt of which please acknowledge.
Very respectfully, yours,
Spencer F Baird
Secretary S.I.
Ball of hair taken from stomach of cow. Received from E. P. Armistead, Newton, Newton Co., Mississippi
Friday, November 19, 2010
Letter of the Day: November 19
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 317
November 19, 1894
Dr. Judson Daland
319 S. 18th St.
Philadelphia, Pa.
My Dear Doctor:
Can you give me any information concerning a centrifugal machine which is considered superior to the Litten centrifugal? Dr. Gray has just informed me that you are using a superior machine for urinary and blood analysis, and hence I write to ask you that you will be kind enough to enlighten me on this subject, especially as Surgeon General Sternberg is considering the matter of supplying certain of the larger military posts with the latest and most improved centrifugal apparatus.
Very sincerely yours,
Walter Reed
Major and Surgeon, U.S. Army,
Curator Army Medical Museum.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Letter of the Day: November 18 (2 of 2)
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 7132
November 18, 1903.
Mr. Henry Reens,
409 Fourth Ave.,
New York, N.Y.
Dear Sir:
In accordance with your request of the 17th inst. 6 copies of printed circular of Museum photograph 177, recovery after fracture of the right ilium by a musket ball (from your own case), are herewith forwarded.
Very respectfully,
C.L. Heizmann
Col. Asst. Surgeon General, U.S.A.
In charge of Museum & Library Division
- note that he just asked for a copy of the label - not the photograph, which originally showed him nude. This version had a figleaf added for the 1876 Centennial fair. 1903 seems like a long time after the Civil War, but Reens was just 60 when he wrote in.
Letter of the Day: November 18 (1 of 2)
November 18, 1896
Dr. H. R. Storer,
Newport, R.I.
Dear Doctor:
We have lately added to our collection a few medals, some of which may be new to you:
Amsterdam Bot. Gardens: “Adest maximus.” etc, 57 mm. On rim: Hieronymus de Boach, H. F. H. N. natus Amstel. D. XXIII Mart. MDCCXL.
Galilei. Duisburg, p. 17, No. 44-5 – years in Roman.
Cholera 1854. “Au Dur Lepine.”
Haerten. Sanit. 1889, Vol. 22, p. 329, No. 992. On reverse “J.J. Putman,” not “J.G. Putman.”
Puhlmann. Sanit., 1893, Vol. 30, p. 250. No. 2071.
Pilet. Med. Major, 6 B de Ch. a P (Crimea, 1854.)
Boyer. Sanit., 1888, Vol. 21, p. 429, No. 707. – “1756” is not on reverse.
Belleteste. Duisburg, Suppl., 1863, p. 6, No. 250-4.
Thieullier, Sanit., 1889, Vol. 23, p. 445, No. 1166.
Acad. Roy. De Med., Paris, Louis Philippe I.
“ “ “ “ “ Louis XVIII de France.
Gassendi, Duisberg, p. 18, No. 55-1.
Buffon, “ “ 24, “ 144-1.
In Sanit., 1888, Vol. 21, p. 155, Nos. 626-628, you refer to Newmann, Beschreibung der bekanntesten Kupfermunzen Nos. 25635-6-7. Will you please send me a brief description of these three medals, as I have no copy of Newmann to refer to.
Very sincerely yours,
D. L. Huntington
Deputy Surgeon General, U.S. Army,
In charge of Museum and Library Division.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
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Letter of the Day: November 17 (3 of 3)
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 7132
N.Y. Nov. 17. 03.
Geo. A. Otis. Esq.
Asst. Surgeon +c.
Dear Sir.
Will you be kind enough to forward to me at your earliest convenience 6 copies of Circular Photograph 177, Recovery after fracture of the right Ilium by a musket ball, +c. and oblige.
Very Respectfully,
Henry Reens.
Late Private Co. I.
30th Regt. Mass. Vols.
409 4th Avenue
N.Y. City. c/o. Wilson
Letter of the Day: November 17 (2 of 3)
10/17 [1863]
Doctor
A box containing a stone jar redolent of alcohol was left by the Express, at my house yesterday.
It evidently is intended for the Cabinet and not the Cuisine, please send for it.
JKB [Joseph K Barnes, the Surgeon General of the Army]
Letter of the Day: November 17 (1 of 3)
Scovill Manufacturing Company
423 Broome Street.
Direct All Communications On Business To The Company.
New York Nov. 17th 1885
Copy.
Prof. A. Graham Bell
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir:-
Having seen in the N.Y. Tribune, a notice of a paper by Dr. Billings which was read by you at the meeting of the National Academy of Sciences at Albany, on the 10th inst. on the Craniaphore used for taking composite photographs of skulls, +c we take the liberty to request that you will favor us with a copy of said paper for publication in The Photographic Times.
If you can thus oblige us, You will very much please
Yours Truly
R.S. Lewis.
Pr. E.R.
Letter of the Day: November 17
Fort Duncan, Tex.
November 17th, 1875
Surgeon General
U.S. Army
Washington, D.C.
General:
I have the honor to transmit herewith the receipt of one box, containing Pathological Specimens for the Army Medical Museum, turned over to Lieut. G. Valois, 9th law[?], A. A. of M. for transportation. The Specimens are one snake, one lizard, a few tarantulas, centipedes, etc.
Very respectfully
Your obd’t Servant
Donald Jackson
Asst. Surg. U.S.A.
Post Surgeon
Specimens received, acknowledged and turned over to sph. Surgeon J.J. Woodward, U.S.A. in charge of the section of Comparative Anatomy, Feb. 21, 1876
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Deinstall of AAOS in Baltimore
with our exhibits manager (Pic right)and registrar(pic left) to deinstall the AAOS wounded in action
exhibit. This is the lower gallery where we packed and cataloged the artwork. Here we are struggling
with a poorly packaged -- not crated -- artwork, the tatters that you see here was how it was sent to us, in a cardboard box, ...nonetheless I really enjoyed
Letter of the Day: November 16
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 1801
November 16, 1890
Major A.A. DeLoffre,
Surgeon, U.S. Army,
Fort Logan, Colorado.
Dear Doctor:
In reply to your favor of November 12th, I send by today’s mail a slide of the malarial parasite, tertian variety. I am afraid that this will not assist Dr. Johnson in diagnosing your cases of fever. It so happens that we have not at present any slides of the aestivo-autumnal organism, as I have been unable to procure any material of this kind during the present fall.
Regretting that I cannot send you slides of all the varieties of parasites, I am,
Very truly yours,
Walter Reed
Surgeon, U.S. Army,
Curator.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Letter of the Day: November 15
McPherson Barracks,
Atlanta, GA Nov. 15/78
Asst Surg Geo. A. Otis. U.S.A.
Washington D.C.
Sir:
I have a female human foetus of four months with placenta and all in good condition, carefully presented in proof-spirit born two days ago. All packed ready to send to the A.M.M. if desirable. Do you want it. If so will send it at once with history.
Very respectfully
Your Obedt servt.
W.H. Forwood
Surgeon U.S.A.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Letter of the Day: November 14
Philadelphia Nov. 14 1868
Dear Sir
It would be a great convenience if you could now send on the specimen promised to the College in March last.
There is at present no work on hand and I am desirous of keeping my man employed in mounting preparations.
Very Truly
Th. Hewson Bache
Curator
Geo. A Otis MD
Asst Surgeon USA
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Letter of the day, November 13
Kevil, Ky. Nov 13- 1915
President Woodrow Wilson
Dear sir
In the year of Our Lord 1896 I gave Birth to five Boy Babies on April the 29th but had the missfortune of loosing them all and was afraid to bury them for fear the grave would be robbed of there Boddies as there was such excitement over them[.] I had them embalmed and they are now In a mummyfied condition. and I wish to know if they would be any benefit to the Goverment for Educational Purposes I have any amount of afidavits which I can furnish with them to the face I don’t want to sell them but Will let them out on a limited time for a reasonable sum. My Husband and I Both are getting old and have lost all of our family but four and we both are In very Bad Health and will ask you If you can do any thing for us Please answer soon as possiable.
I am living at Kevil Ky R#4.
Mrs. O.D. Lyon.
----------
War Department,
Office of the Surgeon General,
Army Medical Museum and Library,
Washington.
No. 577.
November 19, 1915
Mrs. O.D. Lyon
Kevil, Ky.
Dear Madam:
Your letter addressed to the President, relative to the five boy babies to which you gave birth April 29, 1896, has been referred to this office.
The Army Medical Museum would like to have these specimens to add to its collection, provided they are in condition and would be desirable for exhibit; but they cannot be accepted as a loan.
Should you wish to donate them the Museum would be pleased to receive them and will give you credit for them; otherwise their purchase would be considered if you will inform us of the amount at which you would be willing to dispose of them.
But before further action in the matter, the Museum would like to obtain a statement from some reliable physician as to their condition and desirability, and it is suggested that some physician in Kevil be asked to examine and report to this office the condition and desirability of the specimens for exhibit in the collection of this Museum. Such a report from Dr. D.E. Burrows or Dr. Thos. E. Scott would be acceptable.
Very respectfully,
C.C. McCulloch, Jr.
Lt. Col. Medical Corps, U.S.A.
Curator, Army Medical Museum.
----------
The statement from the physician:
Hospital College of Medicine
Louisville, Ky.
1898
Thomas E. Moss
Physician and Surgeon
Specialty: Diseases of Infancy and Childhood
Cumberland Phone, 12 ring 2
Home phone, No. 73, Kevil Exchange
Kevil, Ky. December, 5- 1915
1st Indorsement.
Respectfully returned to C.C. McCulloch Jr. Lt. Col. Medical Corps, U.S.A. Curator, Army Medical Museum with the information, as requested, that the five boy babies of Mrs. O.D. Lyon born April, 29th. 1896. are in a fair state of mummification and will, I believe, be a valuable addition to any museum. Any other information desired will be forwarded upon request.
[signed] Thomas E. Moss, M.D.
----------
Kevil Ky. Dec 6th 1915
C.C. McCulloch Jr
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir
If you think the Babies are desirable from the statement of the Dr and want to purchase them I will sell them for the consiteration of $1500. Fifteen hundred Dollars and If further Information be wanted I will be glad to furnish all I can-
Yours Truely
Mrs O.D. Lyon
----------
December 9, 1915
No. 584
Mrs. O.D. Lyon
Kevil, Ky.
Dear Madam:
Yours of 6th inst. enclosing statement of Dr. Moss, which is quite satisfactory, concerning the five babies to which you gave birth April 29, 1896, has been received. In reply you are informed that your proposition to dispose of them for $1500.00 is hereby declined.
Very respectfully,
C.C. McCulloch Jr.
Lt. Col. Medical Corps, U.S.A.
Curator, Army Medical Museum.
----------
A note in the file:
Mrs Lyon might be told that the statement of Dr. Moss is quite satisfactory. However we think that her price is too low; that $15000.00 (ahem!) would be more appropriate[e.] All the same the museum cannot afford such prices and therefore is unable to further consider the purchase.
[signed] Lamb
---------------
Kevil Ky 12/13-1915
Mr C.C. McCulloch Jr
Dear Sir:
I am in receipt of yours of the 9th declining my proposition of $1500.00 for the disposal of the five babies. I thought my proposition a reasonable one for such a rare collection[.]
But I am willing to be reasonable and now ask you to make me a proposal.
Very respectfully yours
Mrs OD Lyon
Kevil Ky
Route #4
-------------
Kevil Ky Dec 29-1915
Mr C.C. McCulloch
Washington D.C.
Dear sir
In regard to your letter of the 15th I wish to ask If the appropriation Is so limited That you could not give me any thing what Ever for the Quintuptels. I had rather for them to be In the hands of the Goverment than any where else.for I know that they would be taken care of There. and would like to make a deal with you If possible.
I remain yours
Mrs O.D. Lyon.
R#4 Kevil Ky
-----------
Kevil Ky. 1/8-1915 [sic 1916 ERW 21 June 1979]
Mr. CC McCulloch Jr
Dear sir
In reply to yours of the 3rd I will say that I had much rather have the Credit of donating the Quintuplets than to sell them but I am not able to do so. I have had several offers to sell them for much more than your Price but never thought of selling them untill now and I had much rather for the Goverment to have them than any one else. For I might stand a chance to see them sometime then otherwise I would not. and I am unwilling to dispose of them to the Govenment for $200.00 which I think is little enough and If you except my proposition you can send me directions for preparing and shipping them to the Museum.
Yours very Truely
Mrs O.D. Lyon.
----------
Kevil Ky. Feb 12th 1916.
Mr C.C. McCulloch Jr
Dear sir
Replying to your of Jan 3rd I will say that I have decided to except your offer of $100.00 for the Quintuplets and you can send me directions for preparing and shipping them to the Museum
I remain yours Truly
Mrs. O.D. Lyon
R#4 Kevil Ky.
----------
Kevil Ky. Feb 28-1916
Curator. Army. Medical Museum
Washington D.C.
Dear sirs
In reply to yours of the 25th I will say that Each Infant was In a seperate sack with one afterbirth. There was no twins In my family or my Husbands. There was an Embalmer at Paducah Ky. that
Embalmed the Children but did not five satisfaction and I carried them to Nashville Tenn where they was Embalmed In a dry stage as they are now[.] I herewith Inclose Picture of afterbirth the only one I have[.]
Yours very Truely
Mrs O.D. Lyon
----------
Kevil Ky 11-16-1916
Mr CC McCulloch
Will you be so Kind as to let me here from the Lyon Quintuplets as I Study a bout them so much[.] My health is give down and that causes me to Study more than I would if I was well[.] Do they create much Interest among people and do you Know whether the President has seen them or not[.]
I have a curiosity to know
Very Respectfully
Mrs. OD Lyon
Friday, November 12, 2010
Basket weaving pictures on Flickr?
A lot of pictures of occupational and physical therapy via basket weaving in World War 1 are going up on our Flickr site right now because we had a comment asking for more photos from someone who had an ancestor who taught this at Walter Reed hospital.
Letter of the Day: November 12
Nov. 12th [18]94
Dr. John Billings
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir
I have in my possession a Skeleton of a man that was found in a cave in the mountain in the west part of this AV[?] found by Mr. Braidy a Lofer Wolf skinner.* The Skeleton looks to be about forty years old [sic] that is the man lost his life about forty years ago the bones are all sound as it was found in a very dry place found with it an old filint [Flint] Lock Rifle gun[,] five files, Sword and Several othe[r] trinkets – though some of the thing[s] greatly damaged by rust you can plainly see what they are
Judge Eastorr of Vernon Tex called on me to see the Skeleton and gun +c. and thinks it is the remains of one Col. Blacks [sic] party that started out in 1836 to explore this country all of this party were killed and captured by Indians save three only three returned to there [sic] Homes to tell there [sic] story
I am offered $10.00 for the outfit here but I want more I will box it up and ship it to you for $25.00
Awaiting your Answer
Respectfully
A.R. Wilson
Maugum, Okla
*The “loafer wolf” was also known as the Great Plains or “buffalo wolf” due to its enormous size and fearsome reputation. Early settlers in the west put a $10 bounty on the buffalo wolf and it was extinct by 1926. Wolf subspecies/taxonomy: canis lupus nubilus.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Armistice Day and Veteran's Day
Armistice Day was established in 1926 to commemorate the end of World War I on November 11 at 11 am - 11-11-11. In 1954, it became Veteran's Day.
You can see other World War I photographs on our Flickr site.