Due to the obvious.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Letter of the Day: February 6
Numbered Correspondence 5752. Around this time, the Museum started a dental registry, or a collection of dental interest.
February 6, 1902
Prof. B.E. Lischer, D.M.D.
2341a Russell Avenue,
St. Louis, Mo.
Dear Sir:
Your letter of the 3rd inst., in reference to a series of human teeth which Dr. A. H. Fuller, of your city, wishes to present to this Museum, has been referred to me for answer by the Surgeon General, U.S. Army
The Museum would prefer to receive these specimens properly tagged, but unmounted, so that they may be mounted and labeled here in uniformity with others, already in this collection.
Please have them carefully packed in a box marked Army Medical Museum, 7th and B Streets, S.W., Washington, D.C., and send them by express, freight charges to be paid here.
Thanking you for your considerate action in this matter, I am,
Very respectfully,
Calvin DeWitt
Col. & Asst. Surgeon General, U.S.A.
In charge of Museum & Library Division
Photographs of the series will be sent when the specimens have been mounted.
February 6, 1902
Prof. B.E. Lischer, D.M.D.
2341a Russell Avenue,
St. Louis, Mo.
Dear Sir:
Your letter of the 3rd inst., in reference to a series of human teeth which Dr. A. H. Fuller, of your city, wishes to present to this Museum, has been referred to me for answer by the Surgeon General, U.S. Army
The Museum would prefer to receive these specimens properly tagged, but unmounted, so that they may be mounted and labeled here in uniformity with others, already in this collection.
Please have them carefully packed in a box marked Army Medical Museum, 7th and B Streets, S.W., Washington, D.C., and send them by express, freight charges to be paid here.
Thanking you for your considerate action in this matter, I am,
Very respectfully,
Calvin DeWitt
Col. & Asst. Surgeon General, U.S.A.
In charge of Museum & Library Division
Photographs of the series will be sent when the specimens have been mounted.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Museum closes today at 1:30
Due to inclement weather (ie a forecast of 24 inches of snow), the Museum will close at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, February 05, 2010. Updates to operating hours will be posted to the Museum’s information line at (202) 782-2200.
Letters of the Day
Outgoing correspondence, in the days before carbon paper and mimeograph and Xerox, was copied by hand into bound volumes of blank pages. It was the only way to keep track of what correspondence went out. A scribe of some of the letters was obviously an artist and a bit of a rebel because he added flourishes to many of the letters he copied. I wish I knew who it was. Here are two examples on one page of his artistry.
Right off I'm going to apologize for the softness of this photo. I'm not allowed to take my real camera into the building but I am allowed my cell phone, so I was reduced to using it for this picture. It's a great phone but a lousy camera. But as Mike would say, Notwithstanding That, I'm going to post this shot anyway.
Right off I'm going to apologize for the softness of this photo. I'm not allowed to take my real camera into the building but I am allowed my cell phone, so I was reduced to using it for this picture. It's a great phone but a lousy camera. But as Mike would say, Notwithstanding That, I'm going to post this shot anyway.
Letter of the day: February 5
Surgeon General’s Office
February 5, 1873
Dr. H.A. Martin
My dear doctor: Yours of the 3rd has just reached me. The diptheritic cast reaches us safely, has been placed in the medical section, and is fully appreciated. Dr. Otis having written, I supposed had acknowledged this as well as the cast of the plastic operation. Let me assure you the omission did not arise from want of appreciation. Many thanks for the additional vaccine vesicle. Those you previously sent are undergoing the hardening process and will soon be ready to make sections. I am sanguine of interesting results, and will write you how we get along. A full set of the section will be reserved for you.
The catalogue of the Library, first edition, is out of print; only three hundred and fifty copies were printed. Dr. Billings is now at work on a second edition which will contain about twice as many titles as the first. Your name has been put down for a copy of the first part of the medical history of the war now in the hands of the binder.
I learned last evening that a little boy who was staying with the Shermans, when I vaccinated them last, and who left immediately after took nicely. I had intended to write you that Mrs. Sherman’s arm was quite sore after the last vaccination but presented nothing characteristic. On the whole I hardly think it worth while to re-vaccinate them again, regarding them as “protected,” especially as I used the method you described. If, however, you think it worthwhile, I will urge them to try once more.
Sincerely your friend,
J.J. Woodward
February 5, 1873
Dr. H.A. Martin
My dear doctor: Yours of the 3rd has just reached me. The diptheritic cast reaches us safely, has been placed in the medical section, and is fully appreciated. Dr. Otis having written, I supposed had acknowledged this as well as the cast of the plastic operation. Let me assure you the omission did not arise from want of appreciation. Many thanks for the additional vaccine vesicle. Those you previously sent are undergoing the hardening process and will soon be ready to make sections. I am sanguine of interesting results, and will write you how we get along. A full set of the section will be reserved for you.
The catalogue of the Library, first edition, is out of print; only three hundred and fifty copies were printed. Dr. Billings is now at work on a second edition which will contain about twice as many titles as the first. Your name has been put down for a copy of the first part of the medical history of the war now in the hands of the binder.
I learned last evening that a little boy who was staying with the Shermans, when I vaccinated them last, and who left immediately after took nicely. I had intended to write you that Mrs. Sherman’s arm was quite sore after the last vaccination but presented nothing characteristic. On the whole I hardly think it worth while to re-vaccinate them again, regarding them as “protected,” especially as I used the method you described. If, however, you think it worthwhile, I will urge them to try once more.
Sincerely your friend,
J.J. Woodward
Thursday, February 4, 2010
NPR interview on the history of obstetricsI
I caught part of this on the ride home today and it sounds pretty interesting - 'Get Me Out': Making Babies Through The Ages
Letter of the Day #2: February 4
February 4, 1889
General:
I have the honor to request authority to purchase for deposit in the Army Medical Museum the following specimens to be paid for from the Museum appropriation:
Skull of Troglodytes gorilla, adult, Cost, $30.00
Skull of Troglodytes niger, adult [Cost] $13.00
I am, General, Very respectfully, Your obedient servant,
(Signed) John S. Billings
Surgeon US Army
Curator Army Medical Museum
Surgeon General, US Army
Washington D.C.
General:
I have the honor to request authority to purchase for deposit in the Army Medical Museum the following specimens to be paid for from the Museum appropriation:
Skull of Troglodytes gorilla, adult, Cost, $30.00
Skull of Troglodytes niger, adult [Cost] $13.00
I am, General, Very respectfully, Your obedient servant,
(Signed) John S. Billings
Surgeon US Army
Curator Army Medical Museum
Surgeon General, US Army
Washington D.C.
Letter of the Day #1: February 4
A microtome is used to cut sections for microscopic slides.
February 4, 1905
To the Surgeon General,
U.S. Army.
Sir:
I have the honor to request authority to purchase for deposit in this Museum:
1 large or flat section cutting microtome, 1900 pattern, with double lever to prevent cutting thick and thin sections, est. cost… $45.00 to be paid for from the Museum appropriation.
Very respectfully,
C.L. Heinzmann
Col. Asst. Surgeon General, U.S.A.
In charge of Museum & Library Division
[handwritten note]
See Cat. of W. Watson & Sons, 313 High Holborn, London W. C. p. 124 No. 840.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
New York Times on Hela cell line book
THE IMMORTAL LIFE OF HENRIETTA LACKS by Rebecca Skloot is the book. The two articles are:
February 3, 2010
Books of The Times
A Woman’s Undying Gift to Science
By DWIGHT GARNER
Second Opinion
A Lasting Gift to Medicine That Wasn’t Really a Gift
By DENISE GRADY
February 1, 2010
February 3, 2010
Books of The Times
A Woman’s Undying Gift to Science
By DWIGHT GARNER
Second Opinion
A Lasting Gift to Medicine That Wasn’t Really a Gift
By DENISE GRADY
February 1, 2010
Letters of the Day: February 3
This is the first set of letters from a collection donated to the Museum, rather than being the conduct of Museum business. The three come from this collection:
OHA 228
* McMillin Letters, 1865-1866
* .1 cubic foot, .1 box.
* No finding aid, arranged, inactive, unrestricted.
* Tissue and letterbook copies of letters sent by Thomas McMillin in his position of assistant medical purveyor in New York City.
I wonder how you lose 336 ounces of chloroform?
OHA 228
* McMillin Letters, 1865-1866
* .1 cubic foot, .1 box.
* No finding aid, arranged, inactive, unrestricted.
* Tissue and letterbook copies of letters sent by Thomas McMillin in his position of assistant medical purveyor in New York City.
I wonder how you lose 336 ounces of chloroform?
Medical Purveyor's Office
New York
Feb. 3 1866
Sir;
An invoice addressed to Mr. George Wright late Medical Storekeeper at this Depot ha been received. I have to inform you that the instruments etc have never been received. As the invoice is dated Dec. 1st, I presume they have been lost in transportation.
Very respectfully,
Your Obt Servt.
[Sig.] Thos. McMillin
Asst. Surg. USA and Asst Medical Purveyor
Dr. Thos. F. Perley
Late Surg. USA
Portland, ME
--
Medical Purveyor's Office
New York
Feb. 3 1866
Sir;
You will please send an Invoice of thirty four (34) cases Hospital and Medical Supplies received at this Depot as now has been received Case no. 30. Said to contain 336 oz [zuici?] Chlor. Liq. [chloroform liquid] has not been received. I cannot receipt you for the Bedsteads mentioned in your letter of Feb. 1st; as all Bedsteads received, were accredited to Dr. Orton late asst. Surg. USA.
Respectfully,
Your Obt Servt.
[Sig.] Thos. McMillin
Asst. Surg. USA and Asst Medical Purveyor
Dr. J. W. Merrain
Act Asst. Surg USA
Fort Schuyler, NYH [New York Harbor]
--
Medical Purveyor's Office
New York
Feby. 3 1866
Sir
The receipts for Medical and hospital property issued you together with the endorsement that the Hypodermic Syringe was missing has been received.
Will you please to inform me if you saw the box unpacked, and know from personal observation that the instrument was not received.
I am Sir Very Respectfully,
Your Obedient Servant
[Signed] Thos. McMillin
Asst. Surg. USA and Asst Medical Purveyor
C. H. King.
A.A. Surg. USA
Fort Trumbull, Conn
Cecil Miller collection, new in the Archives
We’ve just received the records of Dr. Cecil R. Miller, who was the NCOIC of the 430th AAFRTU ("Army Air Force Replacement Training Unit", a convalescent center for battle fatigue), Ephrata, WA, possibly co-located with the 430th Combat Crew Training Station-Standby, at Ephrata Army Air Base. It includes 21 photographs, 5 typescript documents, "You Are Convalescing In An Army Air Forces Hospital" booklet and digital image of Dr. Miller.
Our donor kindly made PDFs of the 5 documents noted above, and I scanned the photographs this morning, a quick job. It’s so nice when we can say a collection is digitized.
Here are a few photos from the collection. One is labeled, “Ephrata. Our convalescent garden is mainly painted rocks!!” The second says, “I think this is the Altitude Training Chamber.” And the third is Sergeant Miller. Higher-resolution versions will be on our Flickr site.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Double Take
Despite the cover art, this is not a collection of spooky stories for children. It's a history of embryology and teratology from the 1960s by Ekkehard Kleiss in Venezuela. I can't read Spanish, but based on the many images inside, Kleiss compiled information on prehistoric cultural objects that clearly depict congenital abnormalities. The smaller picture shows what looks to me like it could be Arnold-Chiari malformation (?).
I didn't find out much else about this Kleiss character, other than that he was a professor of anatomy and embryology and also wrote on the history of mummification.
Letter of the Day: February 2
I don't know how key blanks qualify for expenditure from the emergency fund unless that's the only fund that had any money.
February 2, 1889
General,
I have the honor to state that the following articles are required for use at the Army Medical Museum and would request authority to buy them as emergency purchases to be paid for from the Museum's appropriation.
2 papers Tacks Estimated Cost .26
Screw-eyes " " 1.50
10 lbs 8d finishing nails " " .50
1 dozen Key blanks " " 3.00
2 pieces thin plate glass " " .60
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
(Signed) John S. Billings
Surgeon, US Army
Curator Army Medical Museum
Surgeon General US Army,
Washington, D.C.
February 2, 1889
General,
I have the honor to state that the following articles are required for use at the Army Medical Museum and would request authority to buy them as emergency purchases to be paid for from the Museum's appropriation.
2 papers Tacks Estimated Cost .26
Screw-eyes " " 1.50
10 lbs 8d finishing nails " " .50
1 dozen Key blanks " " 3.00
2 pieces thin plate glass " " .60
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
(Signed) John S. Billings
Surgeon, US Army
Curator Army Medical Museum
Surgeon General US Army,
Washington, D.C.
Monday, February 1, 2010
PR: BORDEN INSTITUTE RELEASES CARE OF THE COMBAT AMPUTEE
NEWS RELEASE
___________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Narvin Gray, 202-356-1012 x 2-6110 or
narvin.gray@amedd.army.mil
Book Covers Comprehensive Treatment of Service Members with Limb Amputations
Borden Institute Releases Care of the Combat Amputee
This book provides a significant update to the field of rehabilitation, with comprehensive coverage of emerging approaches, techniques, and technologies for amputee care. “Despite more destructive weapons and horrific wounds, the men and women of Military Medicine, as a whole, have continuously adapted to changing requirements and have developed comprehensive rehabilitative methods. This approach, combined with the goal of restoring our wounded service members to the highest possible functional level, is resulting in the optimal reintegration of our wounded Warriors,” according to Lieutenant General Eric B. Schoomaker, Surgeon General of the US Army.
Written by experts in the military, Veterans Administration, and private sector—with specialty editing by Colonel Paul Pasquina (US Army Medical Corps) and Dr Rory Cooper (VA; University of Pittsburg)—the publication addresses aspects of combat amputee care ranging from surgical techniques to long-term care, polytrauma and comorbidities such as traumatic brain injury and burns, pain management, psychological issues, physical and occupational therapy, VA benefits, prosthetics and adaptive technologies, sports and recreational opportunities, and return to duty and vocational rehabilitation. The book will serve as an essential resource for providers involved in amputee care, as well as service members and veterans with major limb amputations.
For more information on the Borden Institute and how to order the publications, visit the organization online at www.bordeninstitute.army.mil.
###
Letter of the day: February 1
These prints were needed for the second edition of the Medical & Surgical History of the War of the Rebellion.
Surgeon General’s Office
Washington City, DC
February 1, 1868
Baron von Egloffstein,
Superintendent Heliographic Engraving Company
135 West 25th Street
New York City
Baron,
The two impressions of the plate representing the surgeons railway car of the hospital train of the Department of the Cumberland were duly received and submitted to the Surgeon General. I have also to acknowledge your communication of the 30th ult., announcing the transmission of these proofs, and asking for my criticism thereon.
I regard the work as a very satisfactory copy of the drawing. Much of the engraving appears to me to be done by hand, but it is immaterial how it is done provided so good work can be furnished at the same price as lithographic work.
For an edition of 5020 prints of a similar plate, done by lithography, this office has heretofore paid one hundred dollars, the paper being furnished by this office.
I am instructed by the Surgeon General to request you to send a proof on the thin paper. I herewith transmit, and also a statement of the price at which you can furnish 5020 prints, the paper being furnished.
I am, Baron,
Very respectfully,
Your obt. Servant,
By order of the Surgeon General,
[George A. Otis]
Ass’t. Surgeon, U.S. Army
Surgeon General’s Office
Washington City, DC
February 1, 1868
Baron von Egloffstein,
Superintendent Heliographic Engraving Company
135 West 25th Street
New York City
Baron,
The two impressions of the plate representing the surgeons railway car of the hospital train of the Department of the Cumberland were duly received and submitted to the Surgeon General. I have also to acknowledge your communication of the 30th ult., announcing the transmission of these proofs, and asking for my criticism thereon.
I regard the work as a very satisfactory copy of the drawing. Much of the engraving appears to me to be done by hand, but it is immaterial how it is done provided so good work can be furnished at the same price as lithographic work.
For an edition of 5020 prints of a similar plate, done by lithography, this office has heretofore paid one hundred dollars, the paper being furnished by this office.
I am instructed by the Surgeon General to request you to send a proof on the thin paper. I herewith transmit, and also a statement of the price at which you can furnish 5020 prints, the paper being furnished.
I am, Baron,
Very respectfully,
Your obt. Servant,
By order of the Surgeon General,
[George A. Otis]
Ass’t. Surgeon, U.S. Army
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Post book review on creating a cell line
This review of THE IMMORTAL LIFE OF HENRIETTA LACKS hy Rebecca Skloot (Crown. 369 pp. $26) is fascinating. One knows cell lines exist, but one doesn't realize that they can be tracked back to a person.
Letter of the day: January 31 (2 of 2)
Notice that the Soldier's Home, now firmly in DC, wasn't quite there in 1887.
January 31, 1887
Dear Sir:
Your letter of the 30th instant has been received. If you will have the kindness to send the man on a fair day, at an early opportunity, I shall be please to have a photograph taken of one side on an enlarged scale to show the supplementary nipple to better advantage.
Thanking you for your kind offer, I remain,
Very sincerely yours,
(Signed) John S. Billings
Surgeon U.S. Army
Curator Army Medical Museum
Byrne Major C.C.
Surgeon U.S. Army
Attending Surgeon Soldiers’ Home
Near Washington, D.C.
January 31, 1887
Dear Sir:
Your letter of the 30th instant has been received. If you will have the kindness to send the man on a fair day, at an early opportunity, I shall be please to have a photograph taken of one side on an enlarged scale to show the supplementary nipple to better advantage.
Thanking you for your kind offer, I remain,
Very sincerely yours,
(Signed) John S. Billings
Surgeon U.S. Army
Curator Army Medical Museum
Byrne Major C.C.
Surgeon U.S. Army
Attending Surgeon Soldiers’ Home
Near Washington, D.C.
Letter of the day: January 31 (1 of 2)
January 31, 1887
Sir:
I am instructed by the Surgeon General to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of January 18th with the accompanying special surgical reports.
The bone specimen from the case of Pt. M.P. Johnson, 4th Cavalry, amputation on account of shot fracture of ankle joint, and the bullet and piece of exploded shell from the case of Pt. F.E. Sloat, 4th Cavalry, have also been received.
The Surgeon General desires me to thank you for these additions to the Museum collection.
Very truly yours,
(Signed) John S. Billings
Surgeon U.S. Army
Curator Army Medical Museum
Brown Captain Paul R.
Assistant Surgeon U.S. Army
Post Surgeon Fort Huachuca
Arizona Territory
Sir:
I am instructed by the Surgeon General to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of January 18th with the accompanying special surgical reports.
The bone specimen from the case of Pt. M.P. Johnson, 4th Cavalry, amputation on account of shot fracture of ankle joint, and the bullet and piece of exploded shell from the case of Pt. F.E. Sloat, 4th Cavalry, have also been received.
The Surgeon General desires me to thank you for these additions to the Museum collection.
Very truly yours,
(Signed) John S. Billings
Surgeon U.S. Army
Curator Army Medical Museum
Brown Captain Paul R.
Assistant Surgeon U.S. Army
Post Surgeon Fort Huachuca
Arizona Territory
Saturday, January 30, 2010
WRAMC campus plan debate in Post
D.C. begins to plan redevelopment of Walter Reed campus
By Lisa Rein
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, January 30, 2010
The article contains the intriguing "District officials said Thursday night that the September 2011 closing date had been pushed back, although it is not clear to when."
By Lisa Rein
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, January 30, 2010
The article contains the intriguing "District officials said Thursday night that the September 2011 closing date had been pushed back, although it is not clear to when."
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