Our friends at the Borden Institute produced a book on the history of the Museum & AFIP for us this year, which was written by the AFIP's public affairs officer Paul Stone with the assistance of Archivists Mike Rhode & Kathleen Stocker. You can download it here:
Legacy of Excellence: The Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, 1862-2011 - Provides a narrative and photographic history of the AFIP (originally the Army Medical Museum) from its beginning during the Civil War, through the development of the modern field of pathology in the 20th century, to the response to 9/11 and beyond in the 21st century. This book is available for purchase only through the Government Printing Office (see Ordering Information).
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Letter of the Day: June 18
FMT/AEM/caw
18 June 1959
MM
Captain Mauro Gangai, MC
1st Hospitalization Unit
45 Field Hospital
APO 19, New York, N.Y.
Dear Captain Gangai:
Reference is made to your letter of 8 June 1959 relative to obtaining mounted gross specimens and microscopic slides.
The Institute prepares both macropathological and micropathological material for itself and for use by requesting organizations of the Armed Forces. While the Institute does not prepare material for sale, it does have a training program in the technique of preparation and mounting of gross material in which accepted students may learn modern gross mounting methods.
Glass is no longer employed as a mounting medium for gross specimens. the old glass jars have been replaced with plastic containers which are cheaper and more useful.
While commercial sources are somewhat uncertain, Mr. Robert E. Mincey, Bird L. Color Hospital, Welfare Island, New York, is reportedly engaged in a semi-commercial production of modern plastic wet mounts.
If we may be of assistance in this matter, please do not hesitate to write.
Sincerely yours,
Frank M. Townsend
Colonel, USAF (MC)
Deputy Director
Albert E Minns Jr
Colonel MSC
Curator, Medical Museum
18 June 1959
MM
Captain Mauro Gangai, MC
1st Hospitalization Unit
45 Field Hospital
APO 19, New York, N.Y.
Dear Captain Gangai:
Reference is made to your letter of 8 June 1959 relative to obtaining mounted gross specimens and microscopic slides.
The Institute prepares both macropathological and micropathological material for itself and for use by requesting organizations of the Armed Forces. While the Institute does not prepare material for sale, it does have a training program in the technique of preparation and mounting of gross material in which accepted students may learn modern gross mounting methods.
Glass is no longer employed as a mounting medium for gross specimens. the old glass jars have been replaced with plastic containers which are cheaper and more useful.
While commercial sources are somewhat uncertain, Mr. Robert E. Mincey, Bird L. Color Hospital, Welfare Island, New York, is reportedly engaged in a semi-commercial production of modern plastic wet mounts.
If we may be of assistance in this matter, please do not hesitate to write.
Sincerely yours,
Frank M. Townsend
Colonel, USAF (MC)
Deputy Director
Albert E Minns Jr
Colonel MSC
Curator, Medical Museum
Friday, June 17, 2011
Letter of the Day: June 17
AEM/jlw
17 June 1960
Dr. Francis R. Dieuaide
Medical Director
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
1 Madison Avenue
New York, New York
Dear Dr. Dieuaide:
The Medical Museum of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology is
dedicated to the collection, preservation and display of military
medical material. It is one of the four major departments of the Armed
Forces Institute of Pathology, a national institution jointly sponsored
by the Army, the Navy and the Air Force.
While the parent organization is located on the grounds of the Walter
Reed Army Medical Center, the Museum is located in the downtown area of
Washington where it can better carry out its mission of service and
interest to the public. It is here that the military services portray
the developments in the field of military medicine and the resultant
benefits to all mankind. A dynamic program of current and timely Armed
Forces medical subjects, together with constantly changing exhibits of
the history and pathology of disease and certain other selected topics
of military medical history, have made this a living museum.
It has been learned through Dr. Hans Smetana, Chief, Pediatric Section,
Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, that you have a very interesting
collection of oriental medical curiosities which you ultimately plan to
give to some museum or other institute of learning.
We would be most happy to have you consider the Medical Museum as a
suitable and logical repository for your collection of objects of
medical interest. Here they would be carefully preserved for the
heritage of the future, and exhibited for the enjoyment and edification
of the more than 360,000 persons who visit the Museum annually. In
addition, your name as donor would always be associated with them.
It would be a pleasure to meet with you the next time you are in
Washington and to show you the many and varied exhibits on display in
the Museum.
Sincerely yours,
Albert E Minns Jr
Colonel MSC
Curator, Medical Museum
Cc Dr. Smetana
CBS News features Museum smallpox photograph
CBS News featured a Museum smallpox photograph in a slideshow of similar
pictures. See http://www.cbsnews.com/2300-204_162-10007793-9.html for
"23 scary photographs."
pictures. See http://www.cbsnews.com/2300-204_162-10007793-9.html for
"23 scary photographs."
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Letter of the Day: June 16
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 02335
June 16, 1897
Dr. I.S. Stone,
1449 Rhode Island Avenue,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Doctor:
I beg to report that the microscopic examination of sections of supposed additional ovaries, left for examination on may 26, 1897, shows in both a fibrous structure rich in spindle-shaped cells, such as one generally sees in sections of the ovary. There are no Graafian follicles to be found however. The surface of one of these bodies is partially covered with a low cuboidal epithelium which can be traced into the interior of the growth, where it becomes a higher cuboidal and even ciliated columnar epithelium, lining a number of clefts which branch in various directions. I think that these various clefts lined with epithelium merely mark the outlines of papillary projections which have been cut out transversely. One of those out in a longitudinal direction is seen to be covered with high columnar ciliated epithelium. This epithelium must be considered as modified germinal epithelium, thus demonstrating the ovarian origin of these bodies. I believe, therefore, that from the microscopic appearance, these bodies should be considered as superficial papillomata of the ovary. J. Whitwedge Williams has given a full description of these papillomata in Vol. III, Johns Hopkins Hospital Reports.
Sincerely yours,
Walter Reed
Surgeon, U.S. Army,
Curator.
June 16, 1897
Dr. I.S. Stone,
1449 Rhode Island Avenue,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Doctor:
I beg to report that the microscopic examination of sections of supposed additional ovaries, left for examination on may 26, 1897, shows in both a fibrous structure rich in spindle-shaped cells, such as one generally sees in sections of the ovary. There are no Graafian follicles to be found however. The surface of one of these bodies is partially covered with a low cuboidal epithelium which can be traced into the interior of the growth, where it becomes a higher cuboidal and even ciliated columnar epithelium, lining a number of clefts which branch in various directions. I think that these various clefts lined with epithelium merely mark the outlines of papillary projections which have been cut out transversely. One of those out in a longitudinal direction is seen to be covered with high columnar ciliated epithelium. This epithelium must be considered as modified germinal epithelium, thus demonstrating the ovarian origin of these bodies. I believe, therefore, that from the microscopic appearance, these bodies should be considered as superficial papillomata of the ovary. J. Whitwedge Williams has given a full description of these papillomata in Vol. III, Johns Hopkins Hospital Reports.
Sincerely yours,
Walter Reed
Surgeon, U.S. Army,
Curator.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Letter of the Day: June 15
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 06767
Surgeon General's Office
U.S. Army Medical Museum and Library
Corner of 7th and B Streets
Washington, June 15, 1903.
Dr. R. S. Lamb
1017 14th St. N.W.
Washington, D.C.
Dear Doctor;
I am directed by the Surgeon General to express his thanks for the two specimens of eyes removed, one for panophthalmitia, and the other for atrophy following injury, received from you on this day. they will be added to the collection with properly inscribed cards.
Very respectfully,
Calvin DeWitt
Col., Asst. Surgeon General, U.S.A.
In charge of Museum & Library Division.
Specimens Nos. 12594 + 12632 Path. Sect.
Surgeon General's Office
U.S. Army Medical Museum and Library
Corner of 7th and B Streets
Washington, June 15, 1903.
Dr. R. S. Lamb
1017 14th St. N.W.
Washington, D.C.
Dear Doctor;
I am directed by the Surgeon General to express his thanks for the two specimens of eyes removed, one for panophthalmitia, and the other for atrophy following injury, received from you on this day. they will be added to the collection with properly inscribed cards.
Very respectfully,
Calvin DeWitt
Col., Asst. Surgeon General, U.S.A.
In charge of Museum & Library Division.
Specimens Nos. 12594 + 12632 Path. Sect.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Inventor Mike Doyle plans a technical marvel of a health museum
Inventor Mike Doyle plans a technical marvel of a health museum
June 13, 2011
Letter of the Day: June 14
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 02331
Subject: A Guide to the Clinical Examination of the Blood.
War Department,
Surgeon General's Office
U.S. Army Medical Museum and Library
Corner of 7th and B Streets S.W.
Washington, D.C.. June 14, 1897
To the Surgeon General,
U.S. Army.
Sir:
Referring to your letter of June 12, 1897 I respectfully request that I may be permitted to retain in the library of the Army Medical School the two copies of "A Guide to the Clinical Examination of the Blood," by Cabot. During class work these two volumes will be daily consulted by the Student Officers and in my opinion, therefore, two copies are none too many for use of the class.
Very respectfully,
Walter Reed
Surgeon, U.S. Army
Secretary, Army Medical School.
Subject: A Guide to the Clinical Examination of the Blood.
War Department,
Surgeon General's Office
U.S. Army Medical Museum and Library
Corner of 7th and B Streets S.W.
Washington, D.C.. June 14, 1897
To the Surgeon General,
U.S. Army.
Sir:
Referring to your letter of June 12, 1897 I respectfully request that I may be permitted to retain in the library of the Army Medical School the two copies of "A Guide to the Clinical Examination of the Blood," by Cabot. During class work these two volumes will be daily consulted by the Student Officers and in my opinion, therefore, two copies are none too many for use of the class.
Very respectfully,
Walter Reed
Surgeon, U.S. Army
Secretary, Army Medical School.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Letter of the Day: June 13
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 07571
Surgeon General's Office
U.S. Army Medical Museum and Library
Corner of 7th and B Streets
Washington, June 13, 1904.
1st Lieut. John R. Devereux,
Asst. Surgeon, U.S.A.
Fort Meade, S.D.
Sir:
Replying to your letter of May 30th forwarding specimens of skin scrapings, I have the honor to report the result of the examination as negative. No fungi could be detected in the material after treatment with caustic potash solution nor after staining with a solution of methylene blue.
This report would have been made earlier but for the fact that Your letter was mislaid.
Very respectfully,
James Carroll
1st Lieut. Asst. Surgeon, U.S.A.
Curator, Army Medical Museum.
Surgeon General's Office
U.S. Army Medical Museum and Library
Corner of 7th and B Streets
Washington, June 13, 1904.
1st Lieut. John R. Devereux,
Asst. Surgeon, U.S.A.
Fort Meade, S.D.
Sir:
Replying to your letter of May 30th forwarding specimens of skin scrapings, I have the honor to report the result of the examination as negative. No fungi could be detected in the material after treatment with caustic potash solution nor after staining with a solution of methylene blue.
This report would have been made earlier but for the fact that Your letter was mislaid.
Very respectfully,
James Carroll
1st Lieut. Asst. Surgeon, U.S.A.
Curator, Army Medical Museum.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Letter of the Day: June 12
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 02331
In reply refer to No. 1532
War Department,
Surgeon General's Office
Washington, June 12, 1897.
Major Walter Reed,
Surgeon, U.S. Army,
Secretary , Army Medical School,
Washington, D.C.
Sir:
The records of this office show that you have received two (2) copies of "A Guide to the Clinical Examination of the Blood," by Richard C. Cabot, M.D. If you have received two (2) copies of this book, the Surgeon General directs that one (1) copy be sent to this office and the same dropped from your next Return of Medical Property, with suitable remark.
Very respectfully,
C.H. Alden
Assistant Surgeon General, U.S. Army
In reply refer to No. 1532
War Department,
Surgeon General's Office
Washington, June 12, 1897.
Major Walter Reed,
Surgeon, U.S. Army,
Secretary , Army Medical School,
Washington, D.C.
Sir:
The records of this office show that you have received two (2) copies of "A Guide to the Clinical Examination of the Blood," by Richard C. Cabot, M.D. If you have received two (2) copies of this book, the Surgeon General directs that one (1) copy be sent to this office and the same dropped from your next Return of Medical Property, with suitable remark.
Very respectfully,
C.H. Alden
Assistant Surgeon General, U.S. Army
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Letter of the Day: June 11
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 06762
Surgeon General's Office
U.S. Army Medical Museum and Library
Corner of 7th and B Streets
Washington, June 11, 1903.
Capt. W. F. Clark, 2d Cavy.
Quartermaster,
Fort Myer, Va.
Sir:
Replying to your letter of the 8th inst. in regard to the location of the intake pipe for the water supply at your post I would suggest that you consult Lieut. Col. Alexander M. Miller of the Engineer Corps, whose office is at 2728 Penna. Ave., Washington, D.C. Col Miller has been engaged for some years in the practical study of the water supply of the city of Washington, he is no doubt familiar with the points at which sewage and factory refuse are poured into the Potomac, and could give an expert opinion as to the points from which water could be taken with the least danger of sewage contamination during unusual conditions of flood in the river.
This seems to me to be a matter of vital importance and one that should be decided only by an expert who is familiar with the local conditions.
I have only a hearsay knowledge of your water supply but I shall be very glad to render any assistance in my power, at any time you may see fit to call upon me.
Very respectfully,
James Carroll
1st Lieut. Asst. Surgeon, U.S.A.
Asst. Curator.
Surgeon General's Office
U.S. Army Medical Museum and Library
Corner of 7th and B Streets
Washington, June 11, 1903.
Capt. W. F. Clark, 2d Cavy.
Quartermaster,
Fort Myer, Va.
Sir:
Replying to your letter of the 8th inst. in regard to the location of the intake pipe for the water supply at your post I would suggest that you consult Lieut. Col. Alexander M. Miller of the Engineer Corps, whose office is at 2728 Penna. Ave., Washington, D.C. Col Miller has been engaged for some years in the practical study of the water supply of the city of Washington, he is no doubt familiar with the points at which sewage and factory refuse are poured into the Potomac, and could give an expert opinion as to the points from which water could be taken with the least danger of sewage contamination during unusual conditions of flood in the river.
This seems to me to be a matter of vital importance and one that should be decided only by an expert who is familiar with the local conditions.
I have only a hearsay knowledge of your water supply but I shall be very glad to render any assistance in my power, at any time you may see fit to call upon me.
Very respectfully,
James Carroll
1st Lieut. Asst. Surgeon, U.S.A.
Asst. Curator.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Former Museum curator Elgin Cowart's funeral is June 13th
Services for Elgin Cowart's burial are at Arlington National Cemetery at the Post Chapel on Monday, June 13, 2011 at 11:00am.
If you are attending a chapel service prior to a funeral, you will no longer be able to drive to the Old Post Chapel or Memorial Chapel on Joint-Base Myer-Henderson Hall (formerly Fort Myer) from Arlington National Cemetery without DoD decals on your vehicle and the appropriate identification (government-issued photo ID, valid driver license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance). All vehicles without DoD decals must enter through JBM-HH Hatfield, Wright or Henderson Hall gates. For more information and directions to JBM-HH gates, please read the new access control policy.
Letter of the Day: June 10
Numbered Correspondence: Curatorial Records 06760
Surgeon General's Office
U.S. Army Medical Museum and Library
Corner of 7th and B Streets
Washington, June 10, 1903.
To the Surgeon General,
U.S. Army
Sir:
In accordance with letter dated Surgeon General's Office June 5, 1903 addressed to the Officer in Charge of the Medical Supply Depot, Washington, D.C. and accompanied by standard samples of bandages, etc., I have the honor to submit the following report of the result of an examination of the samples of sterility:
1. Sublimated gauze.
Portions placed in six bouillon tubes: all sterile.
2. Absorbent cotton.
Portions in sic bouillon tubes: 4 sterile; 2 contaminated.
3. Plain gauze.
Portions in six bouillon tubes: all contaminated.
4. Gauze bandages.
Portions from three bandages in thirteen bouillon tubes: 9 sterile; 4 contaminated.
Very respectfully,
Jams Carroll
1st Lieut. Asst. Surgeon, U.S.A.
Asst. Curator.
Surgeon General's Office
U.S. Army Medical Museum and Library
Corner of 7th and B Streets
Washington, June 10, 1903.
To the Surgeon General,
U.S. Army
Sir:
In accordance with letter dated Surgeon General's Office June 5, 1903 addressed to the Officer in Charge of the Medical Supply Depot, Washington, D.C. and accompanied by standard samples of bandages, etc., I have the honor to submit the following report of the result of an examination of the samples of sterility:
1. Sublimated gauze.
Portions placed in six bouillon tubes: all sterile.
2. Absorbent cotton.
Portions in sic bouillon tubes: 4 sterile; 2 contaminated.
3. Plain gauze.
Portions in six bouillon tubes: all contaminated.
4. Gauze bandages.
Portions from three bandages in thirteen bouillon tubes: 9 sterile; 4 contaminated.
Very respectfully,
Jams Carroll
1st Lieut. Asst. Surgeon, U.S.A.
Asst. Curator.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Articial kidney machine in Museum duplicated by students
Engineering students look to the past to learn about the future |
Preston Moretz June 8, 2011 http://www.temple.edu/newsroom/2010_2011/06/stories/Temple_students_kidney_dialysis_machine.htm |
Letter of the Day: June 9
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 06759
Surgeon General's Office
U.S. Army Medical Museum and Library
Corner of 7th and B Streets
Washington, June 9, 1903.
To the Surgeon General,
U.S. Army.
(Through the President of the Faculty, Army Medical School).
Sir:
In order to obtain the necessary material for class purposes at the Army Medical School I have the honor to ask the the Surgeons at Fort Myer, Va., Washington Barracks, D.C., and the U.S. Soldiers' Home, Washington, D.C., be requested to notify me by telephone whenever a case of malaria presents in which the parasites are found in teh blood. Upon receipt of such notification a man will be sent at once to prepare cover-glass smears for preparation.
Very respectfully,
James Carroll
1st Lieut. Asst. Surgeon, U.S.A.
Asst. Curator.
Surgeon General's Office
U.S. Army Medical Museum and Library
Corner of 7th and B Streets
Washington, June 9, 1903.
To the Surgeon General,
U.S. Army.
(Through the President of the Faculty, Army Medical School).
Sir:
In order to obtain the necessary material for class purposes at the Army Medical School I have the honor to ask the the Surgeons at Fort Myer, Va., Washington Barracks, D.C., and the U.S. Soldiers' Home, Washington, D.C., be requested to notify me by telephone whenever a case of malaria presents in which the parasites are found in teh blood. Upon receipt of such notification a man will be sent at once to prepare cover-glass smears for preparation.
Very respectfully,
James Carroll
1st Lieut. Asst. Surgeon, U.S.A.
Asst. Curator.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
New issue of "Grog View" about Navy history of medicine
There's a new issue of the Navy's medical historians publication online
now -
now -
Got Grog? http://issuu.com/thegrogration/docs/the_grog_spring_2011
It includes an article about the Naval Hospital in Yokohama, Japan, that
was damaged in an earthquake in 1923 and a good article on Presidential
health and Navy physicians.
Letter of the Day: June 8
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 04644
Hoagland Laboratory,
Department of Bacteriology
E.H. Wilson, M.D., Director.
R.B. Fitz-Randolph, A.C., Associate Director
Dear doctor Reed:
We have bred our guinea pigs in our animal room so long that i cannot quote prices to you, but if you will communicate with Jas. T. Dougherty, #409 West 59th. Street, N.Y., he will give you all the information you desire and furnish you with the animals.
I have telephoned him about the matter, and he will expect to hear from you. I wish I could go to Cuba with you, but it is too hot.
Regards to Dr. Carroll.
Sincerely yours,
E.H. Wilson
Hoagland Laboratory,
Department of Bacteriology
E.H. Wilson, M.D., Director.
R.B. Fitz-Randolph, A.C., Associate Director
Dear doctor Reed:
We have bred our guinea pigs in our animal room so long that i cannot quote prices to you, but if you will communicate with Jas. T. Dougherty, #409 West 59th. Street, N.Y., he will give you all the information you desire and furnish you with the animals.
I have telephoned him about the matter, and he will expect to hear from you. I wish I could go to Cuba with you, but it is too hot.
Regards to Dr. Carroll.
Sincerely yours,
E.H. Wilson
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Letter of the Day: June 7
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 07565
Surgeon General's Office
U.S. Army Medical Museum and Library
Corner of 7th and B Streets
Washington, June 7, 1904.
Captain Carl. R. Darnall,
Asst. Surgeon, U.S.A.
In charge of Field Medical Supply Depot.
Sir:
I have the honor to invite your attention to the unsatisfactory work of the Forbes Sterilizing apparatus which was operated to-day in order to exhibit its workings of Dr. Childs of England.
Two burners were used, one of them entirely new, and both appeared to be defective; with constant pumping one hour elapsed before any water was delivered. After running forty minutes the quantity of water delivered was only about two and one half gallons.
Very respectfully,
James Carroll
1st. Lieut. Asst. Surgeon, U.S.A.
Curator, Army medical Museum
Surgeon General's Office
U.S. Army Medical Museum and Library
Corner of 7th and B Streets
Washington, June 7, 1904.
Captain Carl. R. Darnall,
Asst. Surgeon, U.S.A.
In charge of Field Medical Supply Depot.
Sir:
I have the honor to invite your attention to the unsatisfactory work of the Forbes Sterilizing apparatus which was operated to-day in order to exhibit its workings of Dr. Childs of England.
Two burners were used, one of them entirely new, and both appeared to be defective; with constant pumping one hour elapsed before any water was delivered. After running forty minutes the quantity of water delivered was only about two and one half gallons.
Very respectfully,
James Carroll
1st. Lieut. Asst. Surgeon, U.S.A.
Curator, Army medical Museum
Monday, June 6, 2011
New World War I finding aid online
Museum intern Sara Gonzales wrote a finding aid for OHA 97 Angier and Hitchcock Collection about World War Reconstruction Aides which is at the NMHM website here: http://nmhm.washingtondc.museum/collections/archives/asearch/afinding_aids/hitchcock/angier_hitchcock.html
Many other finding aids are online here: http://nmhm.washingtondc.museum/collections/archives/asearch/afinding_aids/afinding_aids.html
Letter of the Day: June 6
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 08389
War Department,
Office of the Surgeon General,
Army medical Museum and Library,
Washington.
June 6, 1905.
Dr. Arthur A. Snyder
1207 Connecticut Avenue
Washington, DC
Dear Dr. Snyder:
I write to ask if you will not kindly favor me with a copy of your report of the case of Hodgkin's disease that died at Garfield Hospital about ten years ago. I am sure I have heard you say that you published it but I cannot find any reference to a case published under your name in our catalogue. If you cannot give me the paper will you not give me the reference so that I can get it in the original.
I am also very anxious to have a photograph of the case for reproduction because I find it is one of very great interest in view of our present knowledge upon this subject.
Trusting you will not find it inconvenient to grant my request, believe me,
Yours very sincerely,
James Carroll
War Department,
Office of the Surgeon General,
Army medical Museum and Library,
Washington.
June 6, 1905.
Dr. Arthur A. Snyder
1207 Connecticut Avenue
Washington, DC
Dear Dr. Snyder:
I write to ask if you will not kindly favor me with a copy of your report of the case of Hodgkin's disease that died at Garfield Hospital about ten years ago. I am sure I have heard you say that you published it but I cannot find any reference to a case published under your name in our catalogue. If you cannot give me the paper will you not give me the reference so that I can get it in the original.
I am also very anxious to have a photograph of the case for reproduction because I find it is one of very great interest in view of our present knowledge upon this subject.
Trusting you will not find it inconvenient to grant my request, believe me,
Yours very sincerely,
James Carroll
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