An unofficial blog about the National Museum of Health and Medicine (nee the Army Medical Museum) in Silver Spring, MD. Visit for news about the museum, new projects, musing on the history of medicine and neat pictures.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Why we do this
So many of our images have no or very little information, but in this case his mother's name was spelled out in the caption to all four!!! photos of her. I have often said to myself, as I am posting this kind of detail, that someone is going to be trolling the internet, looking for their mom or dad, and may very well find one of the things we've tossed up there.
It's exactly this reason that we do what we do, with the hope that we're the connection between today and yesterday. Have I said I love my job?
Letter of the day: January 25
This letter followed immediately after one thanking a Colonel C. Sutherland for his donation of two Indian arrowheads.
January 25, 1869
General:
It appears to me right that the contributors to the section of Indian Curiosities etc., should be notified of the transfer of their donations to the Smithsonian Institution, and I would therefore respectfully submit the enclosed “Memorandum,” and suggest that it be printed, or some modification of it, and distributed in the form, if you approve, of the Memorandum of Sept. 1868.
Very respectfully,
Your obd’t servant,
[George A. Otis]
Ass’t Surgeon, U.S.A.
Curator, A.M.M.
Bvt. Brig Gen’l C.H. Crane,
Ass’t Surg. General, US Army
NY Times expose on medical radiation injuries
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Brunswig Mausoleum, Metairie Cemetery, New Orleans
I have no idea why he's buried in New Orleans and not Los Angeles.
Follow the picture to close-ups of the two statues flanking the door.
Some things never change
Letter of the day: January 24
Smithsonian Institution
U.S. National Museum
Washington City, Jan. 24, 1878
Sir:
In accordance with the arrangement between the Smithsonian Institution and the Army Medical Museum, I have the honor to transmit the collections mentioned below,t he receipt of which please acknowledge.
Very respectfully, yours,
Spencer F. Baird
Asst. Secretary S.I.
Collection human bones from Indian graves in Santa Barbara Col, Col., gathered in 1875 by the expedition of Lt. Geo. M. Wheeler.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Covetousness, a deadly sin
Goddess of Evils
Theater of War
Letter of the day: January 23
Fort Riley, Kansas
Jan: 23rd, 1868
General
I have the honor to send herewith for microscopic examination (if desired) the kidneys of Pvt: James Garrode Co “G” 10th U.S. Cavalry, who died at this hospital of Brights disease on the 19th inst:
I have a full record of this case, which I will transmit with my next monthly report of Sick and Wounded.
I also transmit a fibrous polypus, removed from the pharynx of Pvt David Young Co “K” 10 US Cavalry.
Very respectfully
Your obt: servt
G.M. Sternberg
Asst. Surg: & Bvt. Maj
US Army
Bvt. Maj. Genl. J.K. Barnes
Surgeon Genl: US Army
Washington, DC
[an accompanying note written on the reverse says “Receipt acknowledged 1-30-68, and statement that kidneys were too much decomposed and were thrown away. Request for history of polypus.]
Friday, January 22, 2010
That Old-Time Gonorrhea Treatment
I went to a dusty, off-the-beaten-track museum in New Orleans last weekend - the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum. I have a lot of very neat stuff from there, but have to lead off with A Safe and Speedy Remedy for the Cure of Gonorrhea and Gleet. I have never heard of Gleet.
Letter of the day: January 22nd
Here’s a letter showing both how the Museum expanded its interests and influences after the Civil War, and how the photographic collection grew. By the way, this was a very rare operation even through the Civil War. When a surgeon performed one, the case was named after him.
Surgeon General’s Office
Washington City, DC
January 22nd, 1868
Doctor:
I am instructed by the Surgeon General to acknowledge the reception of your interesting letter of the 20th inst. A photograph of the patient on whom you operated eighteen years ago, and who has so long survived so dreadful a mutilation, would be a very interesting addition to our collection. In a few days, I will send you a picture we have secured of Dr. Morton’s patient taken nearly a year after the photograph from which the plate in Circular No. 7 S.G.O., 1867, was copied.
I should be glad to secure a picture of your patient of about the same size. The expence (sic) will be defrayed from the Army Medical Museum Fund.
Please instruct the photographer to print four or five copies and to send them with the negative to me at the Army Medical Museum, No. 454, Tenth Street, Washington, together with the bill.
The Surgeon General is much gratified that you and other surgeons of practical experience, in the operation of amputation at the hip-joint, commend the report he has published on the subject.
I am, Doctor,
Very respectfully,
Your obt. servant,
By order of the Surgeon General:
[George A. Otis]
Ass’t Surgeon, U.S.A.
Curator Army Medical Museum
Dr. Washington T. Duffee
N.E. corner of 18th & Wallace Sts.
Philadelphia, Penna
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Web 2.0? Laughing through my tears
Aid Urged for Groups Fighting Internet Censors
By BRAD STONE
Published: January 21, 2010
Five United States senators want the government to move ahead with plans to provide $45 million to help people in other countries evade Web restrictions.
This paragraph could easily have "Walter Reed medical center" substituted in for "China and Iran":
But in the online age the nature of censorship has changed, and regimes like those in China and Iran often deny their populations access to Web news outlets and sites like Google, Facebook and Twitter.
...although we can get to Google. Not Youtube, or blogs though.
Orthopedic surgery book mentioned in Post based on Museum photographs
Letter of the day: Jan 21st
Embryology was a new science in 1905 – and the museum was apparently back in the business of taking ‘bottled monsters. Liz Lockett of our embryology collection notes that embryology dates from the 17th century, but the large systematic collections were done at the turn of the twentieth century.’
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 8084
January 21, 1905
Dr. J. J. Repetti,
404 Seward Square, S.E.
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
I am directed by the Surgeon General to express his thanks for the specimen of monstrous foetus received from you on this day. It will be added to the collections with a properly inscribed card.
Will you have the further kindness to furnish the Museum with a history of the case?
Very respectfully,
C.L. Heinzmann
Col. Asst. Surgeon General, U.S.A.
In charge of Museum & Library Division
Letter of the day: Jan 20th
The Museum has an extensive numismatics collection – this letter shows how it was built up.
January 20, 1897
Dr. H. R. Storer,
Newport, R. I.
Dear Doctor:
Your letter of the 17th inst. Has been received. I shall be glad to purchase the medals you offer at the prices quoted, viz:
Rokitansky, 6.10
Howard, Am. Jour. Num., 687, .35
“ “ “ 689, .35
“ “ “ “ 726, .50
------
$7.30
You may send them by Adams Express, freight to be paid here. We have Howard, Am. Jour. Num., #688.
The famine, Germany (Danket dem Herrn) seems to be identical with Pfeiffer u. Ruland #157, but ours has “Ps. 116,” and I can notice no defacement.
Very sincerely,
D. L. Huntington
Deputy Surgeon General, U.S. Army
In charge of Museum and Library Division
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Louisville history of medicine and science meeting
Colleagues:
The 12th annual meeting of the Southern Association for the History of Medicine and Science-SAHMS- will be held in Louisville, KY March 5-6, 2010. There will be over 70 papers presented in these two days, along with a tour of the first U.S. Marine Hospital built on an inland waterway. Registration for all students is only $75.00. All meeting, registration, and hotel information can be found at:
http://www.sahms.net/HTML/2010.htm
Please share this information with your faculty and graduate students.
Thank you for your assistance.
Jonathon Erlen, Ph.D.
SAHMS Program Committee
History of Medicine
University of Pittsburgh
412-6488927
Times on Web 2.0-influenced museums
Julie Brown speaks at NLM
NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE
History of Medicine Division Seminar
Wednesday, January 27, 2010 2-3:30pm
NLM Visitor Center, Bldg 38A
Bethesda, MD
"Health and Medicine on Display: International Expositions in the United
States, 1876-1904."
Julie K. Brown
Independent Scholar
International expositions, with their massive assembling of exhibits and
audiences, were the media events of their time. In transmitting a new
culture of visibility that merged information, entertainment, and
commerce, they provided a unique opportunity for the public to become
aware of various social and technological advances. This presentation
examines how international expositions, through their exhibits and
infrastructures, sought to demonstrate innovations in applied health and
medical practice.
All are welcome.
Note: The next history of medicine seminar will be held on Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 2-3:30pm in the NLM's Lister Hill Auditorium. In aspecial program celebrating African American History Month, NIH scholar Sheena Morrison will speak on "Nothing to Work with but Cleanliness: The Training of African American Midwives in the South."
Sign language interpretation is provided. Individuals with disabilities
who need reasonable accommodation to participate may contact Stephen
Greenberg at 301-435-4995, e-mail greenbes@mail.nih.gov, or the Federal Relay (1-800-877-8339).
Due to current security measures at NIH, off-campus visitors are advised to consult the NLM Visitors and Security website:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/about/visitor.html
Stephen J. Greenberg, MSLS, PhD
Coordinator of Public Services
History of Medicine Division
National Library of Medicine
National Institutes of Health
Department of Health and Human Services
301-435-4995
greenbes@mail.nih.gov
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Letter of the day? January 19
Stealing the idea from another museum’s blog - http://www.starbulletin.com/features/20100117_ahoy.html - it seems like it might be interesting to look at 150 years of museum history, one day at a time by transcribing letters in the collection. Here’s one from 101 years ago, showing that ordering office supplies never gets any easier. This is page 1 of Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 3629.
Washington, January 19, 1899
Bausch & Lomb Optical Co.
Rochester, N.Y.
Gentlemen:
I have received through the Medical Purveyor at New York, 4 dozen stender dishes, Cat. No. 4075, D. They are altogether too small for our purpose and I have this day returned them to you, by express, to be exchanged for 4 dozen No. 4075 B. If you will examine your Catalogue you will see that the illustrations of No. 4075 do not at all agree with the figures given as to sizes and proportions, an error which misled us in ordering the goods.
Very respectfully,
Walter Reed
Major & Surgeon, U.S.A.
Curator.
B&L sent the correct order a week later.