Medical Museum to Close Exhibits in 8 Days

MEDICAL MUSEUM TO CLOSE EXHIBITS ON APRIL 3, 2011
TO PREPARE FOR MOVE TO SILVER SPRING, MD

February 28, 2011, Washington, D.C.: As part of the relocation of the National Museum of Health and Medicine from its present location to its new home in Silver Spring, Maryland, exhibits at the present location will phase out over the coming weeks. The last day that the public may visit any exhibits at the Museum in its present location will be on Sunday, April 3, 2011. All of the Museum’s exhibits are expected to remain available to visitors through April 3, 2011.

The Museum is open to the public daily, 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (including weekends and holidays), on the campus at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Admission and parking are free. Adults must present government-issued photo identification to gain entry to the Walter Reed campus, and vehicles are subject to search. Learn more about planning a visit to the Museum on the campus of Walter Reed at http://nmhm.washingtondc.museum/planning/index.html.

NMHM will complete its relocation to the Forest Glen Annex during the summer of 2011 and looks forward to welcoming the public at its new location in the fall. Stay tuned to the Museum’s website, Facebook page and e-newsletter for details.

During this transition period, while the Museum is closed to the public at its present location on the Walter Reed campus, Museum public programs staff will be working to continue their activities at other locations in the Silver Spring, Md., area. Stay tuned to our website and Facebook page for details.

Questions should be directed to Tim Clarke, NMHM Deputy Director for Communications, (202) 782-2672.

About the National Museum of Health and Medicine

• The National Museum of Health and Medicine, established in 1862, inspires interest in and promotes the understanding of medicine—past, present, and future—with a special emphasis on tri-service American military medicine. As a National Historic Landmark recognized for its ongoing value to the health of the military and to the nation, the Museum identifies, collects, and preserves important and unique resources to support a broad agenda of innovative exhibits, educational programs, and scientific, historical, and medical research. The Museum is presently located at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, 6900 Georgia Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. Visit www.nmhm.washingtondc.museum or call (202) 782-2200 for more information.

 

Letter of the Day: March 26

Surgeon General’s Office
Washington City, D.C.
March 26 1864

Unofficial.

Sir,

The Acting Surgeon General directs me to call your attention to the anomalous position given to the Army Medical Museum, in the heading of the accompanying letter, and to direct that in the future you will transpose the heading.

Very Respectfully
Your obt. Serv’t.
C.H. Crane
Surgeon U.S.A.

Surg. J. H. Brinton U.S.V.
180 Pa. Avenue

Medical Museum to Close Exhibits on April 3, 2011

MEDICAL MUSEUM TO CLOSE EXHIBITS ON APRIL 3, 2011
TO PREPARE FOR MOVE TO SILVER SPRING, MD

February 28, 2011, Washington, D.C.: As part of the relocation of the National Museum of Health and Medicine from its present location to its new home in Silver Spring, Maryland, exhibits at the present location will phase out over the coming weeks. The last day that the public may visit any exhibits at the Museum in its present location will be on Sunday, April 3, 2011. All of the Museum’s exhibits are expected to remain available to visitors through April 3, 2011.

The Museum is open to the public daily, 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (including weekends and holidays), on the campus at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Admission and parking are free. Adults must present government-issued photo identification to gain entry to the Walter Reed campus, and vehicles are subject to search. Learn more about planning a visit to the Museum on the campus of Walter Reed at http://nmhm.washingtondc.museum/planning/index.html.

NMHM will complete its relocation to the Forest Glen Annex during the summer of 2011 and looks forward to welcoming the public at its new location in the fall. Stay tuned to the Museum’s website, Facebook page and e-newsletter for details.

During this transition period, while the Museum is closed to the public at its present location on the Walter Reed campus, Museum public programs staff will be working to continue their activities at other locations in the Silver Spring, Md., area. Stay tuned to our website and Facebook page for details.

Questions should be directed to Tim Clarke, NMHM Deputy Director for Communications, (202) 782-2672.

About the National Museum of Health and Medicine

• The National Museum of Health and Medicine, established in 1862, inspires interest in and promotes the understanding of medicine—past, present, and future—with a special emphasis on tri-service American military medicine. As a National Historic Landmark recognized for its ongoing value to the health of the military and to the nation, the Museum identifies, collects, and preserves important and unique resources to support a broad agenda of innovative exhibits, educational programs, and scientific, historical, and medical research. The Museum is presently located at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, 6900 Georgia Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. Visit www.nmhm.washingtondc.museum or call (202) 782-2200 for more information.

 

Letter of the Day: March 25

Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 03775

Subject: Repair of Army Medical Museum Building.

War Department,
Surgeon General's Office,
U.S. Army Medical Museum and Library
Corner of 7th and B Streets SW

Washington, March 25, 1899

To the Surgeon General,
U.S. Army

General

I have the honor to state that the following repairs are necessary at the Army Medical Museum Building.
1. Repairing metal work of entire roof including new spouts where necessary
2. Painting entire roof of building.
3. Kalsoming Museum Hall in conformity with present color.
4. Kalsoming entrance hall, corridors, photograph gallery and 3 rooms.

As regards No. 1, the recent storms here damaged the metal work of the roof in a number of places, allowing the rains to penetrate into the photograph gallery, the museum and library halls, and room No. 7 on third floor. It is estimated that the necessary the repairs, including several new spouts will cost about $35.00.

When repairs to the metal work of the roof have been made, roofs of main as well as rear building should be repainted. They were last painted in 1895. The estimated cost of this work is $130.

In regard to the Museum hall, I would state that it has not been rekalsomined since its first occupation in 1887. During this time a number of repairs have been made to the plastering, and the rain has leaked through the roof leaving the walls very much defaced. It is estimated that the area to be kalsomioed [sic] is 2000 square yards (more or less), which, in tints, at 11 cents per square yard would account to $220.00.

The walls of the entrance hall, of the stairs, and main corridors, which were kalsomined three years ago, are open to the public in all kinds of weather, and are much defaced and worn. Rains have spoiled the kalsomining in the photograph gallery and in room No. 7, of third floor, and the removal of stationary wall cases from the new faculty and school room has left the walls marred. This area to rekalsomined contains about 4300 square yards, and at 7 cents per yard would require $301.00. To this should be added for repainting the skirting (washboards) in Museum Hall, corridors and rooms, about 1500 running feet, at 1 cent per foot, $15.00.

The repair of the metal work and the re-painting of the roof should be done as soon as possible, and I would suggest, as the best time for kalsomining, the middle or latter part of April.

Very respectfully,
Dallas Bache
Col. & Asst. Surgeon General, U.S.A.
In charge of Museum and Library Division.

Dan Sickles featured in newspaper

The strange case of Dan Sickles

By Mike Yawn The Huntsville Item March 24, 2011

Sarah Vowell likes our medical museum

"One of her favorite spots is the District's National Museum of Health and Medicine — a can't-miss destination where fragments of Abe's skull are on view. She also likes Ford's Theatre, where he was shot in 1865."

 

Buy a Vowell: Sarah Vowell, 'Unfamiliar Fishes,' at Politics & Prose

 by Express contributor Jessica Roake

Medical Museum to Close Exhibits on April 3, 2011

MEDICAL MUSEUM TO CLOSE EXHIBITS ON APRIL 3, 2011
TO PREPARE FOR MOVE TO SILVER SPRING, MD

February 28, 2011, Washington, D.C.: As part of the relocation of the National Museum of Health and Medicine from its present location to its new home in Silver Spring, Maryland, exhibits at the present location will phase out over the coming weeks. The last day that the public may visit any exhibits at the Museum in its present location will be on Sunday, April 3, 2011. All of the Museum’s exhibits are expected to remain available to visitors through April 3, 2011.

The Museum is open to the public daily, 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (including weekends and holidays), on the campus at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Admission and parking are free. Adults must present government-issued photo identification to gain entry to the Walter Reed campus, and vehicles are subject to search. Learn more about planning a visit to the Museum on the campus of Walter Reed at http://nmhm.washingtondc.museum/planning/index.html.

NMHM will complete its relocation to the Forest Glen Annex during the summer of 2011 and looks forward to welcoming the public at its new location in the fall. Stay tuned to the Museum’s website, Facebook page and e-newsletter for details.

During this transition period, while the Museum is closed to the public at its present location on the Walter Reed campus, Museum public programs staff will be working to continue their activities at other locations in the Silver Spring, Md., area. Stay tuned to our website and Facebook page for details.

Questions should be directed to Tim Clarke, NMHM Deputy Director for Communications, (202) 782-2672.

About the National Museum of Health and Medicine

• The National Museum of Health and Medicine, established in 1862, inspires interest in and promotes the understanding of medicine—past, present, and future—with a special emphasis on tri-service American military medicine. As a National Historic Landmark recognized for its ongoing value to the health of the military and to the nation, the Museum identifies, collects, and preserves important and unique resources to support a broad agenda of innovative exhibits, educational programs, and scientific, historical, and medical research. The Museum is presently located at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, 6900 Georgia Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. Visit www.nmhm.washingtondc.museum or call (202) 782-2200 for more information.

 

Letter of the Day: March 24 [thanks for the parasites]

Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 06610

Surgeon General’s Office,
U.S. Army Medical Museum and Library,
Corner of 7th and B Streets SW
Washington, March 24, 1903

Captain B. K. Ashford,
Asst. Surgeon, U.S. Army,
San Juan, P.R.

(Through the Surgeon General, U.S. Army)

Sir:

I have the honor to acknowledge, with thanks, the receipt of specimens of the filarial nocturna and uncinaria duodenale for the Army Medical School. Through your co-operation it has become possible to provide each member of the class with specimens of these parasites.

Very respectfully,
James Carroll
1st Lieut. Asst. Surgeon, U.S.A.
Asst. Curator.

Letter of the Day: March 23

Field Hospital
Fort Cummings, N.M.
March 23, 1882

Surgeon General U.S. Army,
Washington, D.C.

Sir,

I have the honor to state that I have this day turned over to the Post Quartermaster for shipment to the Army Medical Museum a two headed Foetal calf.

The history of the case is as follows: Mr. Charles Clauberg the post butcher, who presents the specimen, states that about three months ago he slaughtered a fine fat heifer, not knowing that she was pregnant, and on finding that her uterus contained a calf proceeded to cut it out, after he had inadvertently cut off the heads, he found the peculiarities noted, the double head, single neck, and double joints, throughout the body, as far as examined.

I have thought the specimen of too much value, to be lost and therefore forward it.

Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
R.C. Newton.
Asst Surg. U.S.A.
Post Surgeon

[note written at the end of letter, in a different hand]
Specimen received
ackd [acknowledged] May 13, 1882,
Turned over to
Mr. Schafhirt, Anatomical-
for section of Comparative Anatomy

Medical Museum to Close Exhibits on April 3, 2011

MEDICAL MUSEUM TO CLOSE EXHIBITS ON APRIL 3, 2011
TO PREPARE FOR MOVE TO SILVER SPRING, MD

February 28, 2011, Washington, D.C.: As part of the relocation of the National Museum of Health and Medicine from its present location to its new home in Silver Spring, Maryland, exhibits at the present location will phase out over the coming weeks. The last day that the public may visit any exhibits at the Museum in its present location will be on Sunday, April 3, 2011. All of the Museum’s exhibits are expected to remain available to visitors through April 3, 2011.

The Museum is open to the public daily, 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (including weekends and holidays), on the campus at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Admission and parking are free. Adults must present government-issued photo identification to gain entry to the Walter Reed campus, and vehicles are subject to search. Learn more about planning a visit to the Museum on the campus of Walter Reed at http://nmhm.washingtondc.museum/planning/index.html.

NMHM will complete its relocation to the Forest Glen Annex during the summer of 2011 and looks forward to welcoming the public at its new location in the fall. Stay tuned to the Museum’s website, Facebook page and e-newsletter for details.

During this transition period, while the Museum is closed to the public at its present location on the Walter Reed campus, Museum public programs staff will be working to continue their activities at other locations in the Silver Spring, Md., area. Stay tuned to our website and Facebook page for details.

Questions should be directed to Tim Clarke, NMHM Deputy Director for Communications, (202) 782-2672.

About the National Museum of Health and Medicine

• The National Museum of Health and Medicine, established in 1862, inspires interest in and promotes the understanding of medicine—past, present, and future—with a special emphasis on tri-service American military medicine. As a National Historic Landmark recognized for its ongoing value to the health of the military and to the nation, the Museum identifies, collects, and preserves important and unique resources to support a broad agenda of innovative exhibits, educational programs, and scientific, historical, and medical research. The Museum is presently located at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, 6900 Georgia Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. Visit www.nmhm.washingtondc.museum or call (202) 782-2200 for more information.

 

Dr Ed Beeman, former museum volunteer, has died

Here's his death notice. I didn't work directly with him, so I didn't really get to know him.

Dr. Edward Arthur Beeman

On Thursday, March 17, 2011, DR. EDWARD ARTHUR BEEMAN of Bethesda, MD. Beloved husband of Jean S. Beeman. Devoted father of Barbara (Dr. Joseph Domagalski) Beeman, Judith (Leon) Malnik, Dr. Cynthia (Dr. Dennis Lynn) and Robert (Jane) Beeman. Loving grandfather of Miriam and Joshua Malnik and Isaac Domagalski. Dear brother of Sydney Beeman. Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 21, 2011, 1 p.m. at Temple Shalom, 8401 Grubb Road, Chevy Chase, MD 20815. Interment following at Judean Memorial Gardens, Olney, MD. After the interment, shiva will be observed at the late residence through Wednesday evening, and at the home of Judith and Leon from Thursday through Sunday. Memorial contributions may be made to Temple Shalom or to Montgomery Hospice, 1355 Piccard Drive, Suite 100, Rockville, MD 20850. Arrangements entrusted to TORCHINSKY HEBREW FUNERAL HOME, 202-541-1001 (endorsed by the Rabbinical Council of Greater Washington).


Published in The Washington Post from March 18 to March 19, 2011

Medical Museum to Close Exhibits on April 3, 2011

MEDICAL MUSEUM TO CLOSE EXHIBITS ON APRIL 3, 2011
TO PREPARE FOR MOVE TO SILVER SPRING, MD

February 28, 2011, Washington, D.C.: As part of the relocation of the National Museum of Health and Medicine from its present location to its new home in Silver Spring, Maryland, exhibits at the present location will phase out over the coming weeks. The last day that the public may visit any exhibits at the Museum in its present location will be on Sunday, April 3, 2011. All of the Museum’s exhibits are expected to remain available to visitors through April 3, 2011.

The Museum is open to the public daily, 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (including weekends and holidays), on the campus at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Admission and parking are free. Adults must present government-issued photo identification to gain entry to the Walter Reed campus, and vehicles are subject to search. Learn more about planning a visit to the Museum on the campus of Walter Reed at http://nmhm.washingtondc.museum/planning/index.html.

NMHM will complete its relocation to the Forest Glen Annex during the summer of 2011 and looks forward to welcoming the public at its new location in the fall. Stay tuned to the Museum’s website, Facebook page and e-newsletter for details.

During this transition period, while the Museum is closed to the public at its present location on the Walter Reed campus, Museum public programs staff will be working to continue their activities at other locations in the Silver Spring, Md., area. Stay tuned to our website and Facebook page for details.

Questions should be directed to Tim Clarke, NMHM Deputy Director for Communications, (202) 782-2672.

About the National Museum of Health and Medicine

• The National Museum of Health and Medicine, established in 1862, inspires interest in and promotes the understanding of medicine—past, present, and future—with a special emphasis on tri-service American military medicine. As a National Historic Landmark recognized for its ongoing value to the health of the military and to the nation, the Museum identifies, collects, and preserves important and unique resources to support a broad agenda of innovative exhibits, educational programs, and scientific, historical, and medical research. The Museum is presently located at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, 6900 Georgia Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. Visit www.nmhm.washingtondc.museum or call (202) 782-2200 for more information.

 

Letter of the Day: March 22

Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 08224

War Department,
Office of the Surgeon General,
Army Medical Museum and Library,
Washington

March 22, 1905.

To the Surgeon General, U.S. Army

Sir:

I have the honor to report that Mr. C. J. Myers, clerk, Class IV, of the Museum and Library Division, died at 9:15 A.M. this day.

Very respectfully,
C. L. Heizmann Col. Asst. Surgeon General, U.S.Army
In charge of Museum and Library Division

FederalNewsRadio features museum

Medical museum is on the move
By Suzanne Kubota
Senior Internet Editor
FederalNewsRadio.com
March 21, 2011

Tim Clarke, Deputy Director of Communications, National Museum of Health and Medicine

 Download mp3

Medical Museum to Close Exhibits on April 3, 2011

MEDICAL MUSEUM TO CLOSE EXHIBITS ON APRIL 3, 2011
TO PREPARE FOR MOVE TO SILVER SPRING, MD

February 28, 2011, Washington, D.C.: As part of the relocation of the National Museum of Health and Medicine from its present location to its new home in Silver Spring, Maryland, exhibits at the present location will phase out over the coming weeks. The last day that the public may visit any exhibits at the Museum in its present location will be on Sunday, April 3, 2011. All of the Museum’s exhibits are expected to remain available to visitors through April 3, 2011.

The Museum is open to the public daily, 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (including weekends and holidays), on the campus at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Admission and parking are free. Adults must present government-issued photo identification to gain entry to the Walter Reed campus, and vehicles are subject to search. Learn more about planning a visit to the Museum on the campus of Walter Reed at http://nmhm.washingtondc.museum/planning/index.html.

NMHM will complete its relocation to the Forest Glen Annex during the summer of 2011 and looks forward to welcoming the public at its new location in the fall. Stay tuned to the Museum’s website, Facebook page and e-newsletter for details.

During this transition period, while the Museum is closed to the public at its present location on the Walter Reed campus, Museum public programs staff will be working to continue their activities at other locations in the Silver Spring, Md., area. Stay tuned to our website and Facebook page for details.

Questions should be directed to Tim Clarke, NMHM Deputy Director for Communications, (202) 782-2672.

About the National Museum of Health and Medicine

• The National Museum of Health and Medicine, established in 1862, inspires interest in and promotes the understanding of medicine—past, present, and future—with a special emphasis on tri-service American military medicine. As a National Historic Landmark recognized for its ongoing value to the health of the military and to the nation, the Museum identifies, collects, and preserves important and unique resources to support a broad agenda of innovative exhibits, educational programs, and scientific, historical, and medical research. The Museum is presently located at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, 6900 Georgia Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. Visit www.nmhm.washingtondc.museum or call (202) 782-2200 for more information.

 

Letter of the Day: March 21

Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 08225

Maryland
Agricultural Experiment Station
H.J. Patterson, Director

College Park, Prince Geo. Co., Md.
Mar. 21, 1905

Dr. Carroll
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir-

I take the liberty of asking you a question which concerns or has bearing on some work we have been doing at this station during the past winter on certain conditions affecting the milk, which are supposed to come from a diseased condition of the udder. What I would like to know is whether fibrin is usually associated with pus due to inflammatory conditions.

Very truly yours,
C.F Doane, Dairyman.

Letter of the Day: March 20

Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 04453

War Department,
Surgeon General's Office,
U.S. Army Medical Museum and Library,
Corner 7th and B Streets SW.,
Washington

March 20, 1900

Colonel A. M. Miller
Corps of Engineers, U.S.A.
Office of Washington Aqueduct.

Dear Sir:

I enclosed tabulated list of the results obtained with the gas producing organisms isolated from Congressional Spring water, collected February 7, 1900.

The average count was 78 per cc.

Of 6 fermentation tube inoculated with 2 cc of the water, 1 gave 68% of gas and 5 were negative.

Of 6 tubes charged with 4 cc of water, 2 gave 20% of gas and 4 were negative.

Nos. 6 and 7 of the table are almost typical colon bacilli; they differ from it only in their slow fermentation of lactose.

Very truly yours,
James Carroll
Acting Asst. Surgeon,
U.S. Army.

Medical Museum to Close Exhibits on April 3, 2011

MEDICAL MUSEUM TO CLOSE EXHIBITS ON APRIL 3, 2011
TO PREPARE FOR MOVE TO SILVER SPRING, MD

February 28, 2011, Washington, D.C.: As part of the relocation of the National Museum of Health and Medicine from its present location to its new home in Silver Spring, Maryland, exhibits at the present location will phase out over the coming weeks. The last day that the public may visit any exhibits at the Museum in its present location will be on Sunday, April 3, 2011. All of the Museum’s exhibits are expected to remain available to visitors through April 3, 2011.

The Museum is open to the public daily, 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (including weekends and holidays), on the campus at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Admission and parking are free. Adults must present government-issued photo identification to gain entry to the Walter Reed campus, and vehicles are subject to search. Learn more about planning a visit to the Museum on the campus of Walter Reed at http://nmhm.washingtondc.museum/planning/index.html.

NMHM will complete its relocation to the Forest Glen Annex during the summer of 2011 and looks forward to welcoming the public at its new location in the fall. Stay tuned to the Museum’s website, Facebook page and e-newsletter for details.

During this transition period, while the Museum is closed to the public at its present location on the Walter Reed campus, Museum public programs staff will be working to continue their activities at other locations in the Silver Spring, Md., area. Stay tuned to our website and Facebook page for details.

Questions should be directed to Tim Clarke, NMHM Deputy Director for Communications, (202) 782-2672.

About the National Museum of Health and Medicine

• The National Museum of Health and Medicine, established in 1862, inspires interest in and promotes the understanding of medicine—past, present, and future—with a special emphasis on tri-service American military medicine. As a National Historic Landmark recognized for its ongoing value to the health of the military and to the nation, the Museum identifies, collects, and preserves important and unique resources to support a broad agenda of innovative exhibits, educational programs, and scientific, historical, and medical research. The Museum is presently located at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, 6900 Georgia Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. Visit www.nmhm.washingtondc.museum or call (202) 782-2200 for more information.

 

Letter of the Day: March 19

Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 07378

War Department,
Office of the Surgeon General,
Army Medical Museum and Library,
Washington

March 19, 1904.

1st Lieut. Thos. Devereaux
Asst. Surgeon, U.S.A.
U.S. Army Transport "Sumner"
Pier 12, East River
New York, N.Y.

Dear Doctor:

I wish to thank you for the tape worm you so kindly sent me, which arrived yesterday. It has been very useful for class demonstration.

Sincerely yours,
James Carroll
1st Lieut. Asst. Surgeon, U.S.A.
Curator, Army Medical Museum.

DC government to get, and demolish, Walter Reed Hospital

D.C. sees big development potential with more land at Walter Reed
By: Liz Farmer <http://washingtonexaminer.com/people/liz-farmer>
03/18/11
Washington Examiner Staff Writer Follow Her @LizFarmerDC
<http://twitter.com/LizFarmerDC>
http://washingtonexaminer.com/local/dc/2011/03/dc-sees-big-development-p
otential-more-land-walter-reed

Exhibit Design Concept for Downtown Silver Spring

                                                              putting the show on the road

Letter of the Day: March 18

Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 08215

War Department,
Office of the Surgeon General,
Army Medical Museum and Library,
Washington

March 18, 1905.

To the Surgeon General,
U.S. Army

Sir: I have the honor to request the authority to purchase for deposit in the Army Medical Museum:

A series of twelve wax preparations showing stages of diphtheria in children, at a cost of $180.00.

to be paid for from the Museum appropriation.

Very respectfully,
C. L. Heizmann
Col. Asst. Surgeon General, U.S.A.
In charge of Museum and Library Division

Medical Museum to Close Exhibits on April 3, 2011

MEDICAL MUSEUM TO CLOSE EXHIBITS ON APRIL 3, 2011
TO PREPARE FOR MOVE TO SILVER SPRING, MD

February 28, 2011, Washington, D.C.: As part of the relocation of the National Museum of Health and Medicine from its present location to its new home in Silver Spring, Maryland, exhibits at the present location will phase out over the coming weeks. The last day that the public may visit any exhibits at the Museum in its present location will be on Sunday, April 3, 2011. All of the Museum’s exhibits are expected to remain available to visitors through April 3, 2011.

The Museum is open to the public daily, 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (including weekends and holidays), on the campus at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Admission and parking are free. Adults must present government-issued photo identification to gain entry to the Walter Reed campus, and vehicles are subject to search. Learn more about planning a visit to the Museum on the campus of Walter Reed at http://nmhm.washingtondc.museum/planning/index.html.

NMHM will complete its relocation to the Forest Glen Annex during the summer of 2011 and looks forward to welcoming the public at its new location in the fall. Stay tuned to the Museum’s website, Facebook page and e-newsletter for details.

During this transition period, while the Museum is closed to the public at its present location on the Walter Reed campus, Museum public programs staff will be working to continue their activities at other locations in the Silver Spring, Md., area. Stay tuned to our website and Facebook page for details.

Questions should be directed to Tim Clarke, NMHM Deputy Director for Communications, (202) 782-2672.

About the National Museum of Health and Medicine

• The National Museum of Health and Medicine, established in 1862, inspires interest in and promotes the understanding of medicine—past, present, and future—with a special emphasis on tri-service American military medicine. As a National Historic Landmark recognized for its ongoing value to the health of the military and to the nation, the Museum identifies, collects, and preserves important and unique resources to support a broad agenda of innovative exhibits, educational programs, and scientific, historical, and medical research. The Museum is presently located at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, 6900 Georgia Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. Visit www.nmhm.washingtondc.museum or call (202) 782-2200 for more information.

 

Letter of the Day: March 17

Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 01334

March 17, 1896

Messrs Schering & Glatz,
55 Maiden Lane,

Gentlemen:

Your letter of the 16th instant has been received. We have been using formalin at this Museum, and in the shape referred to in your letter, for more than two years, as a preservative and as a hardening agent for the tissues, and have obtained admirable results from the same, and expect to continue its use. Upon inquiry I find that we have a sufficient quantity on hand to last for several months. When next we desire a supply you will receive an invitation to bid.

The Commissioner of Education, Interior Department, this city, can most probably furnish you with a list of Museums and educational institutions in the United States from which you would select such as you consider desirable.

Very respectfully,

Walter Reed,
Surgeon, U.S. Army,
Curator.

Letter of the Day: March 16

Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 01334

C. Gottlob Kolb
Carl F. Stiefel

Schering & Glatz,
Importers of Drugs & Chemicals
No. 55 Maiden Lane.

New York, March 16, 1896



Major Walter Reed, Surgeon U.S. Army,
Curator Army Medical Museum, Washington, D.C.

Dear Doctor:-

Being desirous to bring into more general use Formalin as a preserving agent of anatomical and historical specimens, etc. we intend to submit offers, similar to the enclosed to Museums of Natural History, etc.-

We would be under great obligations to you if you could furnich [sic] us with the addresses of some museums and institutions in the United States, who likely have use for the article.

Any expense connected therewith will be cheerfully refunded by

Yours very truly,
Schering & Glatz

Enclosure:
Stamped envelope

Museum's April 3rd closure noted in local media

Last Day to Visit the NMHM at Walter Reed is April 3

  by William F. Zeman on Mar. 10, 2011

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/general/2011/03/10/last-day-to-visit-nmhm-is-april-3/

Medical Museum to Be Creepy Elsewhere

By CARISSA DIMARGO

 Mar 15, 2011

http://www.nbcwashington.com/the-scene/events/Medical-Museum-to-be-Creepy-Elsewhere-118005664.html

Letter of the Day: March 13

De Camp General Hospital, U.S.A.,

Davids’ Island, New York Harbor,

Mar. 13^th 1866

 

My dear Doctor,

 

I have sent by Adams Express Co. to the address of the Surgeon General, a box containing some photographs of surgical cases, and the histories there of rather imperfectly obtained by me from personal interviews with the patients and statements given by others. The box also contained a humerus and bullet relative to one of the cases. I likewise sent three additional photographic views of this Hospital which will complete the series taken, five of which have been previously forwarded by me to the Army Medical Museum.

 

Will you oblige me by forwarding a copy of Circular No 6 to the following address: Dr. S.F. Morris care of R.L. Morris, M.D., Pelham, P.O. Westchester Co., N. York.

 

Yours very truly

 

Warren Webster

 

Dr. Otis, +c. +c.

Letter of the Day: March 15

Fort Wingate N.M.

March 15^th 1870

 

Surgeon General U.S.A.

 

Gen.

 

I have the honor to enclose for Army Medical Museum Ten Photographs of Navajo Indians and one reduced copy of a sketch of one of the Mogin villages.

 

They are all very poorly taken and printed, but the best that can be got here, and may be of some interest as illustrating the Navajo dress, features +c.

 

On Feb. 11^th I forwarded a small collection of crania and weapons to the Museum and sent Catalogues with Receipt of A.A.Q.M. for packages by mail on same date.

 

Very respectfully

Your Obedient Servant

R.S. Vickery

Asst. Surg. U.S.A.

Medical Museum to Close Exhibits on April 3, 2011

MEDICAL MUSEUM TO CLOSE EXHIBITS ON APRIL 3, 2011
TO PREPARE FOR MOVE TO SILVER SPRING, MD

February 28, 2011, Washington, D.C.: As part of the relocation of the National Museum of Health and Medicine from its present location to its new home in Silver Spring, Maryland, exhibits at the present location will phase out over the coming weeks. The last day that the public may visit any exhibits at the Museum in its present location will be on Sunday, April 3, 2011. All of the Museum’s exhibits are expected to remain available to visitors through April 3, 2011.

The Museum is open to the public daily, 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (including weekends and holidays), on the campus at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Admission and parking are free. Adults must present government-issued photo identification to gain entry to the Walter Reed campus, and vehicles are subject to search. Learn more about planning a visit to the Museum on the campus of Walter Reed at http://nmhm.washingtondc.museum/planning/index.html.

NMHM will complete its relocation to the Forest Glen Annex during the summer of 2011 and looks forward to welcoming the public at its new location in the fall. Stay tuned to the Museum’s website, Facebook page and e-newsletter for details.

During this transition period, while the Museum is closed to the public at its present location on the Walter Reed campus, Museum public programs staff will be working to continue their activities at other locations in the Silver Spring, Md., area. Stay tuned to our website and Facebook page for details.

Questions should be directed to Tim Clarke, NMHM Deputy Director for Communications, (202) 782-2672.

About the National Museum of Health and Medicine

• The National Museum of Health and Medicine, established in 1862, inspires interest in and promotes the understanding of medicine—past, present, and future—with a special emphasis on tri-service American military medicine. As a National Historic Landmark recognized for its ongoing value to the health of the military and to the nation, the Museum identifies, collects, and preserves important and unique resources to support a broad agenda of innovative exhibits, educational programs, and scientific, historical, and medical research. The Museum is presently located at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, 6900 Georgia Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. Visit www.nmhm.washingtondc.museum or call (202) 782-2200 for more information.

 

Letter of the Day: March 14

Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 07377

War Department,
Office of the Surgeon General,
Army Medical Museum and Library,
Washington

March 14, 1904

Dr. Roger P. Ames,
Contract Surgeon, U.S.A,
Fort McIntosh, Texas

Dear Dr. Ames:

The box containing mosquito larvae arrived this morning in good condition and most of the animals are alive. Although the water was quite cold and they were benumbed, they are now fairly active. They are just in time and I thank you very much for sending them. With kind regards,

Yours very truly,
James Carroll
1st Lieut. Asst. Surgeon, U.S.A.
Curator, Army Medical Museum

Medical Museum to Close Exhibits on April 3, 2011

MEDICAL MUSEUM TO CLOSE EXHIBITS ON APRIL 3, 2011
TO PREPARE FOR MOVE TO SILVER SPRING, MD

February 28, 2011, Washington, D.C.: As part of the relocation of the National Museum of Health and Medicine from its present location to its new home in Silver Spring, Maryland, exhibits at the present location will phase out over the coming weeks. The last day that the public may visit any exhibits at the Museum in its present location will be on Sunday, April 3, 2011. All of the Museum’s exhibits are expected to remain available to visitors through April 3, 2011.

The Museum is open to the public daily, 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (including weekends and holidays), on the campus at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Admission and parking are free. Adults must present government-issued photo identification to gain entry to the Walter Reed campus, and vehicles are subject to search. Learn more about planning a visit to the Museum on the campus of Walter Reed at http://nmhm.washingtondc.museum/planning/index.html.

NMHM will complete its relocation to the Forest Glen Annex during the summer of 2011 and looks forward to welcoming the public at its new location in the fall. Stay tuned to the Museum’s website, Facebook page and e-newsletter for details.

During this transition period, while the Museum is closed to the public at its present location on the Walter Reed campus, Museum public programs staff will be working to continue their activities at other locations in the Silver Spring, Md., area. Stay tuned to our website and Facebook page for details.

Questions should be directed to Tim Clarke, NMHM Deputy Director for Communications, (202) 782-2672.

About the National Museum of Health and Medicine

• The National Museum of Health and Medicine, established in 1862, inspires interest in and promotes the understanding of medicine—past, present, and future—with a special emphasis on tri-service American military medicine. As a National Historic Landmark recognized for its ongoing value to the health of the military and to the nation, the Museum identifies, collects, and preserves important and unique resources to support a broad agenda of innovative exhibits, educational programs, and scientific, historical, and medical research. The Museum is presently located at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, 6900 Georgia Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. Visit www.nmhm.washingtondc.museum or call (202) 782-2200 for more information.

 

Letter of the Day: March 12

Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 04449

War Department,
Surgeon General's Office,
U.S. Army Medical Museum and Library,
Corner 7th and B Streets SW.,
Washington

March 12, 1900

Mrs. Benjamin Cushing
Percival Ave.
Dorchester, Mass.

Dear Madam:

I have the pleasure of acknowledging the receipt, through the kindness of Dr. Robert T. Edes, of a pair of forceps and a Laennec stethoscope, used by your husband, the late Dr. Benjamin Cushing, and to thank you for these interesting contributions to the collections of instruments in this Museum. They have been deposited as Nos. 2559 and 2560, series of instruments.

Very respectfully,
JC Merrill
Major & Surgeon,
U.S. Army

Scan of 1955 microscope sales brochure uploaded to Internet Archive

Wilska-Reichert's "Anoptral" Contrast Equipment (March 1955)
- an Austrian company via a United States distributor. Includes a price list insert.

Letter of the Day: March 11

Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 2978

 

Messrs Herbert & Micou

Attorneys at Law,

Rooms 6, - 8, Fleming Building, 1419 G Street.

Washington, D.C.

 

Gentlemen:

 

Your letter of the 10^th inst., offering to afford a trial of a litter invented by Mr. Remington, is received.

 

The Board to which you refer is, however, to deal with a method of instruction and not material, so that your interesting exhibit does not properly come before it.

 

Very respectfully,

 

 

Dallas Bache

Col. & Asst. Surgeon General, U.S.A.

President of Board

Medical Museum to Close Exhibits on April 3, 2011

MEDICAL MUSEUM TO CLOSE EXHIBITS ON APRIL 3, 2011
TO PREPARE FOR MOVE TO SILVER SPRING, MD

February 28, 2011, Washington, D.C.: As part of the relocation of the National Museum of Health and Medicine from its present location to its new home in Silver Spring, Maryland, exhibits at the present location will phase out over the coming weeks. The last day that the public may visit any exhibits at the Museum in its present location will be on Sunday, April 3, 2011. All of the Museum’s exhibits are expected to remain available to visitors through April 3, 2011.

The Museum is open to the public daily, 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (including weekends and holidays), on the campus at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Admission and parking are free. Adults must present government-issued photo identification to gain entry to the Walter Reed campus, and vehicles are subject to search. Learn more about planning a visit to the Museum on the campus of Walter Reed at http://nmhm.washingtondc.museum/planning/index.html.

NMHM will complete its relocation to the Forest Glen Annex during the summer of 2011 and looks forward to welcoming the public at its new location in the fall. Stay tuned to the Museum’s website, Facebook page and e-newsletter for details.

During this transition period, while the Museum is closed to the public at its present location on the Walter Reed campus, Museum public programs staff will be working to continue their activities at other locations in the Silver Spring, Md., area. Stay tuned to our website and Facebook page for details.

Questions should be directed to Tim Clarke, NMHM Deputy Director for Communications, (202) 782-2672.

About the National Museum of Health and Medicine

• The National Museum of Health and Medicine, established in 1862, inspires interest in and promotes the understanding of medicine—past, present, and future—with a special emphasis on tri-service American military medicine. As a National Historic Landmark recognized for its ongoing value to the health of the military and to the nation, the Museum identifies, collects, and preserves important and unique resources to support a broad agenda of innovative exhibits, educational programs, and scientific, historical, and medical research. The Museum is presently located at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, 6900 Georgia Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. Visit www.nmhm.washingtondc.museum or call (202) 782-2200 for more information.

 

New trade literature microscopy catalog added to Internet Archive

WILSKA-REICHERT'S 'ANOPTRAL' CONTRAST EQUIPMENT (1954) (June 1954)

http://www.archive.org/details/Wilska-recihertsanoptralContrastEquipment1954

Letter of the Day: March 10 (1 of 2)

Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 08196

War Department,
Office of the Surgeon General,
Army Medical Museum and Library,
Washington

March 10, 1905

Dr. W.M.L. Coplin
Jefferson Medical College
Philadelphia, Pa.

Dear Dr. Coplin,

Your method for mounting and preserving pathological specimens has impressed me greatly and I would like to have it tried here at the Museum as soon as it can be undertaken with a fair prospect of success. In order to demonstrate the beauty of the preparations and to show the value of the method before undertaking it I should like to be able to exhibit a few that had been prepared under your direction. I am going to presume so far as to ask whether you would be willing to contribute to our collection of pathological specimens a small set that would be types illustrating your own method? They will be given a conspicuous, will certainly attract attention and of course they will be credited to you. the Museum will gladly bear any expense attached to the preparation and shipment of the specimens.

If such an arrangement can be made will it be agreeable to you to have some one come on and spend a week in your laboratory acquiring familiarity with your method of procedure?

With kindest regards and trusting you will not view my request in the light of an imposition upon your good nature, believe me,

Very sincerely yours,
James Carroll
1st Lieut. Asst. Surgeon, U.S.A.
Curator, Army Medical Museum.

Letter of the Day: March 10 (2 of 2)

Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 2978

 

Herbert & Micou,

Attorneys at Law,

Rooms 6, 7 and 8, Fleming Building,

1419 G Street.

Washington, D.C. March, 10^th. 1898

 

Colonel Dallas Bache, U.S.A.

Assistant Surgeon General,

War Department.

 

Dear Sir:-

 

From the enclosed clipping we see you are President of a board to inquire into the method, etc., of rendering aid to the wounded, and we therefore ask to be permitted to exhibit to the board a recent invention of Mr. Frederick Remington of a litter-carrier. One of these litters has been under trial and observation of Major Kimbal, Surgeon, U.S.A. at Governors Island, N.Y. for the past two months, and we respectfully refer the board to him for a report of these trials.

 

We would like to furnish the board with one of these litter-carriers free of expense, to be given an exhaustive trial under service conditions, to be delivered wherever you may designate.

 

Very respectfully yours,

 

Herbert + Micou

 

Medical Museum to Close Exhibits on April 3, 2011

MEDICAL MUSEUM TO CLOSE EXHIBITS ON APRIL 3, 2011
TO PREPARE FOR MOVE TO SILVER SPRING, MD

February 28, 2011, Washington, D.C.: As part of the relocation of the National Museum of Health and Medicine from its present location to its new home in Silver Spring, Maryland, exhibits at the present location will phase out over the coming weeks. The last day that the public may visit any exhibits at the Museum in its present location will be on Sunday, April 3, 2011. All of the Museum’s exhibits are expected to remain available to visitors through April 3, 2011.

The Museum is open to the public daily, 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (including weekends and holidays), on the campus at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Admission and parking are free. Adults must present government-issued photo identification to gain entry to the Walter Reed campus, and vehicles are subject to search. Learn more about planning a visit to the Museum on the campus of Walter Reed at http://nmhm.washingtondc.museum/planning/index.html.

NMHM will complete its relocation to the Forest Glen Annex during the summer of 2011 and looks forward to welcoming the public at its new location in the fall. Stay tuned to the Museum’s website, Facebook page and e-newsletter for details.

During this transition period, while the Museum is closed to the public at its present location on the Walter Reed campus, Museum public programs staff will be working to continue their activities at other locations in the Silver Spring, Md., area. Stay tuned to our website and Facebook page for details.

Questions should be directed to Tim Clarke, NMHM Deputy Director for Communications, (202) 782-2672.

About the National Museum of Health and Medicine

• The National Museum of Health and Medicine, established in 1862, inspires interest in and promotes the understanding of medicine—past, present, and future—with a special emphasis on tri-service American military medicine. As a National Historic Landmark recognized for its ongoing value to the health of the military and to the nation, the Museum identifies, collects, and preserves important and unique resources to support a broad agenda of innovative exhibits, educational programs, and scientific, historical, and medical research. The Museum is presently located at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, 6900 Georgia Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. Visit www.nmhm.washingtondc.museum or call (202) 782-2200 for more information.

 

Museum move notes

Today Laura and I filled a bin with paintings of the curators and directors of the Museum/Pathology Institute, for move to our new site. The paintings ran from John Hill Brinton in 1862 through Florabel Mullick in 2011. Most were painted from photographs by Ralph Lawton in the late 1960s, with a few later paintings by Laoang and some photographs on canvas of the last few directors.

Letter of the Day: March 9

Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 07367

War Department,
Office of the Surgeon General,
Army Medical Museum and Library,
Washington

March 9, 1904

Dr. D.P. Hickling
1304 R.I. Ave.
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:

I am directed by the Surgeon General to express his thanks for the section of brain showing pus cavities (?) received from you on this day.

It will be added to the collection with a properly inscribed card.

Very respectfully,
C.L. Heizmann
Col. Asst. Surgeon General, U.S.A.
In charge of Museum & Library Division.

Specimen No. 12852 Path. Sect.

Letter of the Day: March 8

Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 07364

War Department,
Office of the Surgeon General,
Army Medical Museum and Library,
Washington

March 8, 1904

Chas. F. Miller
1508 8th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:

I am directed by the Surgeon General to express his thanks for the specimen of tapeworm from a dog, received from you on this day. They will be added to the collection a properly inscribed card.

Very respectfully,
C.L. Heizmann
Col. Asst. Surgeon General, U.S.A.
In charge of Museums and Library Division

Specimen No. 12850 Path. Sect.

An Afternoon of Poetry with Kim Roberts, author of "Animal Magnetism"

An Afternoon of Poetry with Kim Roberts, author of "Animal Magnetism"

When: Saturday, April 9, 2011, 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Where: The National Museum of Health and Medicine
6900 Georgia Avenue NW, Building 54
Washington, D.C. 20307

Cost: Free!

Join the National Museum of Health and Medicine and poet/author Kim
Roberts in celebration of National Poetry Month. Roberts will read from
her new book of poetry, "Animal Magnetism," which features three poems
about the Museum's collections. After the reading, James Curley,
Historical Collections Specialist, will provide a special glimpse of the
Museum's collections. A book signing will follow the program. Copies of
"Animal Magnetism" will be available for purchase. For more information,
call 202-782-2673 or visit www.nmhm.washingtondc.museum.

The National Museum of Health and Medicine is located in Building 54 on
the campus of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Adults are required
to present photo ID to gain entry to Walter Reed.

Letter of the Day: March 7

[The "human monster" mentioned in this letter is actually a specimen of conjoined twins that still exists in the collection as Specimen # 12849. There is a photograph of the specimen at the end of the post.]




Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 07360



War Department,
Office of the Surgeon General,
Army Medical Museum and Library,
Washington

March 7, 1904



Sergeant F. W. Donoho,
Hospital Corps, U.S.A.
Commercial Hotel, 7th and Penna. Ave.



Dear Sir:




I am directed by the Surgeon General to express his thanks for the very interesting specimen of a double human monster (ischiopagus tripus) recieved from you on this day. It will be added to the collection with a properly inscribed card.




Very respectfully,
C.L. Heizmann
Col. Asst. Surgeon General, U.S.A.
In charge of Museum & Library Division.




Reeve 039179

Letter of the Day: March 6

Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 07375

Post Hospital Fort Keogh Montana
March 6, 1904

To the
Curator of the Army Medical Museum
Washington, D.C.

Sir:-

I am sending today by mail, under separate cover, five flamed cover glass smears of sputum which I would request to have examined for the presence or not of tubercle bacilli.

Frequent examinations here have not revealed any, and as the patient presents symptoms, suspicious of tuberculosis, a confirmation or not of the findings here is desired.

The gross appearance of the sputum is mucoid with presence here and there of muco-purulent streaks. The patient claims to have had two attacks of memoptysis, not verified however by myself.

In the event of a positive finding it is requested that the stained specimen be returned to me, for future reference and comparison.

Very respectfully,

Edward F. Geddings
1st. Lieut. Asst. Surgeon, U.S.A.
Surgeon.

Letter of the Day: March 5

Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 04444

War Department,
Surgeon General's Office,
U.S. Army Medical Museum and Library,
Corner 7th and B Streets SW.,
Washington

March 5, 1900

Prof. B. A[lfred] Dumm,
Corcoran Scientific School,
Department of Philosophy,
Columbia University

Dear Sir:

In reference to your letter of the 3rd inst., I beg to say, that I shall be absent from the city on Wednesday the 7th inst., but I have instructed DR. D.S. Lamb, that Pathologist at this Museum, to have the models of brain, eye, and ear placed together for you for examination at the time designated.

Very sincerely,
Walter Reed,
Major & Surgeon, U.S.A.
Curator.

Letter of the Day: March 4

Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 01302

Subject

War Department
Surgeon General's Office,
Washington,

March 4, 1896

Major Walter Reed
Surgeon, U.S. Army,
Curator, Army Medical Museum,
Washington, D.C.

My Dear Reed:

Every time I have seen you of late I have forgotten a subject about which I intended to speak to you, and it is this: Occasionally books and other articles are purchased by the Surgeon General and sent down to you either for the Army Medical School or for the Museum proper. When they are for the School, do I understand that you take them up on your return and account for them? If for the Museum, I believe you drop them as deposited. Please let me know about this, whether it would be better for me to invoice to you any articles that are purchased by the Surgeon General for the Army medical School or for the Museum.

Very truly yours,
CH Alden

The First Armed Forces Medical Examiner dies

The AFIP Director sent out this note today:

It is with great regret that I inform you of the passing of the First, Armed Forces Medical Examiner, Dr. Richard Froede. He was also a key player in the formation of the DNA Laboratory and DNA Repository. Dr. Froede also served terms as a member of the AFIP Scientific Advisory Board, and the ARP Executive Board. He succumbed after a lengthy illness, on February 9, 2011 in Arizona. His devotion to the AFIP will be missed. He will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery on March 24, 2011 at 3:00 p.m.

Letter of the Day: March 3

Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 03716

War Department,
Office of the Surgeon General,
Army Medical Museum and Library,
Washington

March 3, 1899
Dr. D. H. Hazen
407 6th Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:

I have the pleasure of acknowledging the receipt on the 3rd inst., of a human ovum, contributed by you to this Museum and to thank you for this addition to the Museum collection.

Very respectfully,
Walter Reed
Major and Surgeon, U.S.A.
Curator

Dental centennial

MEDICAL MUSEUM TO CLOSE EXHIBITS ON APRIL 3, 2011 TO PREPARE FOR MOVE TO SILVER SPRING, MD

MEDICAL MUSEUM TO CLOSE EXHIBITS ON APRIL 3, 2011
TO PREPARE FOR MOVE TO SILVER SPRING, MD

February 28, 2011, Washington, D.C.: As part of the relocation of the National Museum of Health and Medicine from its present location to its new home in Silver Spring, Maryland, exhibits at the present location will phase out over the coming weeks. The last day that the public may visit any exhibits at the Museum in its present location will be on Sunday, April 3, 2011. All of the Museum’s exhibits are expected to remain available to visitors through April 3, 2011.

The Museum is open to the public daily, 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (including weekends and holidays), on the campus at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Admission and parking are free. Adults must present government-issued photo identification to gain entry to the Walter Reed campus, and vehicles are subject to search. Learn more about planning a visit to the Museum on the campus of Walter Reed at http://nmhm.washingtondc.museum/planning/index.html.

NMHM will complete its relocation to the Forest Glen Annex during the summer of 2011 and looks forward to welcoming the public at its new location in the fall. Stay tuned to the Museum’s website, Facebook page and e-newsletter for details.

During this transition period, while the Museum is closed to the public at its present location on the Walter Reed campus, Museum public programs staff will be working to continue their activities at other locations in the Silver Spring, Md., area. Stay tuned to our website and Facebook page for details.

Questions should be directed to Tim Clarke, NMHM Deputy Director for Communications, (202) 782-2672.

About the National Museum of Health and Medicine

• The National Museum of Health and Medicine, established in 1862, inspires interest in and promotes the understanding of medicine—past, present, and future—with a special emphasis on tri-service American military medicine. As a National Historic Landmark recognized for its ongoing value to the health of the military and to the nation, the Museum identifies, collects, and preserves important and unique resources to support a broad agenda of innovative exhibits, educational programs, and scientific, historical, and medical research. The Museum is presently located at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, 6900 Georgia Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. Visit www.nmhm.washingtondc.museum or call (202) 782-2200 for more information.

 

Letter of the Day: March 2

Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 08185

War Department,
Office of the Surgeon General,
Army Medical Museum and Library,
Washington

March 2, 1905

Major Henry A. Shaw
Surgeon, U.S.A.
Fort Adams, R.I.

My Dear Major Shaw,

The specimen from stool forwarded by you Feby. 27, 1905 was received yesterday and your letter came this morning. The microscopic examination of the stool gives a negative result, but the agglutination test with the blood and a culture of Shiga's bacillus gives decided clumping, so much so indeed that the reaction deserves to be called positive. The culture used was an alkaline type of Shiga obtained in the Philippines by Dr. Flexner.

With kind regards and best wishes,
Yours very sincerely,
James Carroll
1st Lieut. Asst. Surgeon, U.S.A.
Curator, Army Medical Museum.

PR: NLM Adds Rare Persian Manuscript to Turning the Pages

NLM Adds Rare Persian Manuscript, al-Qazwini's "The Wonders of Creation," to Turning the Pages Interactive Interface

The National Library of Medicine announces the release of a new Turning the Pages virtual book on its Web site (http://archive.nlm.nih.gov/proj/ttp/books.htm. The new book is the Kitab Aja'ib al-makhluqat wa Gharaib al-Mawjudat, literally "The Wonders of Creation," compiled in the middle 1200s in what is now Iran or Iraq. The vibrantly illustrated work is considered one of the most important natural history texts of the medieval Islamic world.

The author, Abu Yahya Zakariya ibn Muhammad ibn Mahmud-al-Qazwini (ca. 1203-1283 CE), is known simply as al-Qazwini. One of the most noted natural historians, geographers and encyclopedists of the period, he was born in the city of Qazwin in Persia and received much of his education in Baghdad, the cultural center of the region. Al-Qazwini wrote most of his works in Arabic. This beautifully illustrated Persian translation was created in 1537 in the Mughal Empire, corresponding to what is now Pakistan and northern India.

"The Wonders of Creation" is divided into two sections, focusing respectively on celestial phenomena, including the planets, stars, and angels, and the terrestrial world, including geography, ethnography, zoology, and botany. Al-Qazwini was primarily a compiler of information from different authors, both ancient and medieval, and made few original observations of his own. However, his flowing and understandable writing style and thoroughness on different topics made his texts popular and often quoted.

The manuscript copy itself consists of 335 leaves of paper with more than 150 illustrations, in opaque watercolors and ink, of constellations, mythical figures, and various plants and animals placed throughout the text. The Web exhibition contains a selection of these pages, accompanied by explanatory text.  The text is viewable by clicking the "T" in the upper left corner of the virtual book page. For more information see: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/news/turn_pages_persian.html.

Image caption: The Simurg, or Phoenix, and peacock in Zakarīyā' ibn Muhammad al-Qazwini's "Wonders of Creation," from Manuscript P 1 of the US National Library of Medicine's Turning the Pages project.

 

Civil War pictures continue to be posted to Flickr

Letter of the Day: March 1

Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 07352

War Department,
Office of the Surgeon General,
Army Medical Museum and Library,
Washington

March 1, 1904

Dr. Lewis B. Rowland, D.S.
Hagerstown,
Maryland.

Dear Sir:
I am directed by the Surgeon General, U.S.A. to express his thanks for the specimen of a right lower canine tooth with two roots, received from you on the 29th ult. It will be added to the collection with a properly inscribed card.

Very respectfully,
James Carroll
1st Lieut. Asst. Surgeon, U.S.A.
Curator, Army Medical Museum

The Old Army Medical Museum and the Watch and Ward Society

NMHM (Reeve 85182-73)

A new blog post over at the Massachusetts Historical Society - "Discovering the New England Watch and Ward Society" - highlights the Godfrey Lowell Cabot papers and their research value in the recent publication by Neil Miller: Banned in Boston: The Watch and Ward Society’s Crusade against Books, Burlesque, and the Social Evil (Boston: Beacon Press, 2010). The Watch and Ward Society monitored illegal and illicit behavior in Boston, wielding considerable political influence between 1878-1967.

Among the Watch and Ward Society material is this mention of the "Old Army Medical Museum," captured here from the MHS post by Anna J. Cook:

On 16 April 1918, J. Frank Chase, the secretary of the Watch and Ward, wrote a letter describing his visit to the Old Army Medical Museum in Washington D.C. for a screening of “Fit to Fight,” a propaganda film that was part of the military’s attempt to combat “the Social Diseases.” While he approved of the general effort, Chase was critical of certain aspects of the film:

Realizing the difficulties of the subject and how mistakes are inevitable and the diversity of opinion even among good people as to the details and the methods of doing this necessary work, I am loathe to criticize the work accomplished. Yet, I must urge one criticism of the method. It concerns the unwisdom [sic] of putting on exhibition at the very beginning or at all the picture of a nude woman of full front view, as is done in this film.

While he acknowledges the “nude” is, in fact, a statue of Venus, he argues that its manner of display is troubling. It “does not declare itself as a statue until after such a time as gives the mind a chance to conclude ‘Here is the picture of a naked woman,’ and to gasp at the boldness.”It is unclear from the existing correspondence whether anyone in the War Department was similarly offended by the film, or whether Chase’s objection to it had any effect on future screenings.

Check out the rest of the post here.

You are invited! Walter Reed Society reception in Medical Museum, 2 March, 1100-1300

You are invited to a reception at the Medical Museum and learn about the
future of the Walter Reed Society!

Visit the Medical Museum in Bldg. 54 to enjoy exhibits featuring
battlefield medicine in Iraq, human anatomy and pathology, and the final
hours of President Lincoln, and more.

Then, talk to Walter Reed Society leadership about their unique mission
now and in the future.

Light refreshments will be served.

Date: Wed., March 2, 2011

Hours: 1100-1330

The Walter Reed Society was founded in 1996 to benefit Walter Reed Army
Medical Center (WRAMC) and its educational, patient, treatment, and
research activities. The Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
registered in the District of Columbia. All friends of WRAMC are welcome
to join.

Contact Information:

Walter Reed Society, Inc.
PO Box 59611, Walter Reed Station
Washington, DC 20012-9611
Walterreedsociety@verizon.net
http://www.walterreedsociety.org

Horace Greeley Jacobs collection now online

The finding aid for the Horace Greeley Jacobs Collection (OHA 199.5) has been uploaded to the NMHM website here.

The Jacobs collection contains 25 items documenting to the life of Horace Greeley Jacobs, including those related to his service to the Union during the Civil War. Two of the most unique documents are a letter Jacobs wrote to his mother from Camp 19 on May 31, 1862 and a short narrative titled "Thoughts on the Battle Field" (c. 1864). The finding aid includes a biographical note about Jacobs from his years in the Union Army (he joined at 16) through to his death in 1910.

This is a small collection, but part of what makes it unique is that the Museum's anatomical department already contains material relating to Jacobs, specifically his left humerus (AFIP 0384696), which was donated when Jacobs was injured during the war.

A few images relating to Jacobs:


SP 103
Excised head and portion of shaft of left humerus, comminuted by a musket ball.

Jacobs, Horace G. 2LT, G, 6, ME

Doctor: Bliss, D.W. & Otis

Battle: Rappahannock Station, 7 November 1863


CP 1669B


CP 1669A

Letter of the Day: February 28

Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 1285

February 28, 1896

Mr. Charles H. Ward,
Ward’s Natural Science Establishment,
Rochester, N.Y.

Dear Sir:

You will please prepare for this Museum, at your earliest convenience the following skeletons:

1 at birth. Received May 24, 18971 “ 1 month. Received Aug 7 18961 “ 2 months. Rec’d Aug. 7, 18961” 3 “ .
1 “ 6 “ . – Rec’d Sept 11, 1896 –1 “ 9 “ .
1 “ 1 year. Rec’d Sept 4 ,1897.1 “ 2 years.
1 “ 3 “ . –Rec’d June 22, 18961 “ 4 “ .
1 “ 5 “ .
1 “ 6 “ .

It is of course understood, that only skeletons of the known age, as indicated above, are desired for this Museum, as we already have quite a number of skeletons of unknown ages. They may be forwarded from time to time in small lots, and will be paid for as fast as received. In a short time I shall send you an additional order for some of 7 to 20 years of age.

You will also forward to this Museum:

A dislocating skeleton, Cat. Po. 7, No. 3. Rec’d Aug 7, 1896
A skeleton with muscles, Cat., p. 8, No. 4. Rec’d Aug 7, 1896
A larynx phantom, “ “ 43, “ 96. Received Mch 16/96
A preparation showing circulation of foetus, in a material not affected by heat. For this last preparation the Museum will ask for free entry, as soon as notified by you of shipment. Received Sept 11/96

Very respectfully,

D.L. Huntington
Deputy Surgeon General, U.S. Army,
In charge of Museum and Library Division

Letter of the Day: February 27

Read Colonel C. L. Heizmann's endorsement from February 23

Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 08162

War Department,
Office of the Surgeon General,
Washington

February 27, 1904

Brig. Gen. R. M. O'Reilly,
Surgeon General, U.S. Army,
Washington, D.C.

General:

I have the honor to state in reply to endorsement of Colonel C. L. Heizmann, Assistant Surgeon General, U.S. Army, of February ___, 1905, reporting the fact of my absence from office and the cause, a copy of which has been furnished me, while his report as to the cause of my absence may be substantially correct, according to his information, I beg to mention in the same connection that I have been a great sufferer for a long time from catarrh and have been until about the 15th of February last under treatment of a specialist who gave me powders in which I found almost instant relief from pain, but my general health had been such that I consulted a physician, a friend, who came to my room, examined the powders I had been taking and destroyed them at once telling me that I had been taking poison, which accounted for my peculiar appearance and actions he had noticed, and from the effect of which drug it had taken me a long time to recover. I have only within the last week come to realize my condition and taken steps to commence life over again, as it were, by taking the pledge which I have never done before, and feel, after many years of honorable service, if given the opportunity, instead of being dismissed for drinking and disgraced

[Page two]

Gen. O’Reilly……………2.

for all time to come as my action my perhaps deserve, no one will ever again have cause to find fault with me, and of this I am confident.

Asking you kind consideration of my case for the sake of those dependent upon me as well as for my own sake, so far as consistent with your official duties,

I have the honor to be, sir,

Your obedient servant,
P. M. Kelly
Clerk, Class I.

Dental Corps anniversary exhibit

Letter of the Day: February 26

Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 07341

War Department,
Office of the Surgeon General,
Army Medical Museum and Library,
Washington

February 26, 1904

Messrs Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner & Co
Paternoster House,
Charing Cross Road,
London, England

Gentlemen:

Please purchase for this Museum of Ross, Limited, 111 New Bond St. London, W., the following microscope, described on p. 23 of their booklet catalogue, viz:

No. 1 Standard Microscope complete with circular, centering and revolving detachable Mechanical Stage 4 3/4 ins. diameter, swing down Abbe Condenser 1.40 N.A., with centering screws, swing out Iris Diaphragm, with electrical revolving movement, rack and pinon substage, course and fine adjustments as previously described, rack and pinon to draw tube, 3 Eyepieces, 2/3 in., 1/6 in., and 1/12 in. Oil Immersion Objectives, Triple German-silver Nosepiece in mahogany case complete.

Have the instruments carefully packed, and receive, pay for, and forward to this Museum, with separate bill, in the usual manner.

Very respectfully,
C.L. Heizmann
Col. Asst. Surgeon General, U.S.A.
In charge of Museum & Library Division

A Chronology of Medical Museum names

1862 Army Medical Museum (cf Henry, The Armed Forces Institute of Pathology: Its First Century, p. 11)

1883 Army Medical Museum & Library Division of the Surgeon General’s Office (cf Henry, p. 79; a Deputy Surgeon General is appointed in charge of the Division, but a curator remains in charge of the Museum)

1946 Army Institute of Pathology established; AMM becomes department thereof (cf Henry, p. 266)

1949 Armed Forces Institute of Pathology established; AMM presumably becomes Medical Museum of the AFIP (cf Henry, p. 284-5)

1974 Armed Forces Medical Museum (cf AFIP Annual Report, p. 11; “When the Institute was reorganized in August, a reorganization of the Medical Museum was also effected, creating a Museum Support Services in addition to the existing staff elements. At the same time the name of the Museum was changed to Armed Forces Medical Museum.”)

1988 National Museum of Health and Medicine (cf AFIP Annual Report, p. 150; “In December, the AFIP Board of Governors officially changed the designation of the museum from the “Medical Museum of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology” to the “National Museum of Health and Medicine of the AFIP.”)

Reminder about Museum closing and moving

Due to BRAC, the Museum will be moving in 2011 along with all of the rest of Walter Reed medical center. The exhibit floor will close this spring. Researcher access to collections will end this spring, as we begin packing the collections for the move which will take place over the summer. There will be no access for research at least through September 2011 and possibly longer. A new Museum building is being constructed at the former Walter Reed annex in Forest Glen, MD.

 

Letter of the Day: February 25

War Department,
Surgeon General's Office,
U.S. Army Medical Museum and Library,
Corner of 7th and B Streets SW.,

February 25, 1902

Dr. Wm. C. Mitchell
608 California Building
Denver, Col.

My Dear Doctor:

Replying to your letter of the 22nd inst. I regret to say that I have no culture of Xerosis bacillus (Neisser), nor do I know just where you can obtain a culture, but I would suggest that you address a letter to Dr. A.C. Abbott, University of Pennsylvania, either of whom would be more apt to have a culture of this organism than anyone else in the country, I think. Regretting that my letter should be so unsatisfactory,

Sincerely yours,
Walter Reed
Major & Surgeon, U.S. Army

Letter of the Day: February 24

Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 02047

February 24, 1897

Captain W. C. Gorgas,
Assistant Surgeon, U.S. Army,
Fort Barrancas, Florida.

Dear Doctor:

The very small fragment of warty growth from beneath the tongue of Commissary Sergeant Kieffer, has been received and examined microscopically. While a larger piece of the tumor would have enabled us to arrive at a more positive conclusion, I feel quite safe in saying that the microscopical structure of the aforesaid small fragment is that of a mixed cell sarcoma having a dense fibrous capsule.

A slide containing two or three small sections is sent to you by this mail.

Very sincerely,
Walter Reed
Surgeon, U.S. Army,
Curator