John Wilkes Booth's contested identity?

Here's an article that mentions specimens held in the Museum - Navy medical historian Jan Herman will appear on Brad Meltzer's Decoded tonight at 10 pm on the History Channel to discuss it

Booth descendants agree to brother's body ID tests

By Edward Colimore

Philadelphia Inquirer, Dec. 23, 2010

Letter of the Day: December 23

Hammond General Hospital
Point Lookout, Md.
December 23rd, 1862

Dear Doctor,

Your letter requesting me to preserve specimens for the Museum has been rec'd. I received last week eleven hundred wounded, I have already performed a number of interesting operations, resections, amputations etc[?] - I have more in prospect - the specimens in each case has been preserved- I intend keeping them until the results in each case is known. I would suggest that yyou have a circular issued giving us instructions as to the manner of preparing them whether wet or dry - rest assured I will do all in my power to enrich you collection.

Very truly,
Yours, &c.,

C. Wagner
Asst. Surg., U.S.A.

[To] Dr. J. H. Brinton
See above

Contextual Note: Hammond General Hospital was built in 1862 to care for Union soldiers wounded during the Civil War. It was built on the site of the Point Lookout lighthouse, which was constructed in 1825 to warn ships away from the shoals and mark the entrance of the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay. A few months after today’s letter was written, the first Confederate prisoners were assigned to the hospital and its ground were expanded, transforming the site into Camp Hoffman, the largest prison camp of the Civil War. Conditions in the camp were terrible and by 1864 the prison, with an original capacity of 10,000, had a population that exceeded 20,000 men. The suffering of the prisoners, primarily enlisted men, was terrible as the ground became filthy, the wells became contaminated and inadequate tents and blankets caused death from exposure. By the end of the war between 3,000 and 8,000 men had died at the camp and were buried on the lighthouse grounds.

The terrible conditions of Camp Hoffman are still felt today. Point Lookout State Park now encompasses the camp and lighthouse , which is considered to be the “most haunted” lighthouse in America. The Point Lookout Lighthouse Preservation Society holds nighttime "paranormal investigations" to raise funds for preservation and restoration activities and the site has been featured on segments of Mystery Hunters, Weird Travels and Haunted Lighthouses.

Sources: Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Point Lookout Lighthouse Preservation Society, Maryland Online Encyclopedia, Lighthouse Friends

Frederick News-Post columnist likes the Museum

Anna O'Brien: The Hoof Beat
A medical history primer
Originally published December 22, 2010

Last week, I visited the National Museum of Health and Medicine in D.C. I love those types of museums; you know, where there are antique glass jars filled with unknown carcinogenic liquid surrounding internal organs or long-forgotten severed limbs. In my humble opinion, a museum is just not a museum unless it's got a jar containing Siamese twins. To my delight, the National Museum of Health and Medicine does indeed have a set.

Click here to read more.

Civil War images posted to Flickr

I'm posting all the Civil War pictures from the Contributed Photograph collection to Flickr, in numerical order, unless we've already put them online there in the past. However we're missing large parts of the collection for various reasons, so if there's a gap between CP 543 and CP 572, it's because we no longer have the intervening 29 photographs.

Most of these photographs have never been seen by the general public. I think the level of interest shown in the largely anonymous photographs recently donated to the Library of Congress shows that there is an interest in seeing the people that fought 150 years ago.

Some of the pictures are disturbing due to either violence or exposed genitalia, and I’ve thought twice about posting them. The Flickr site is open to anyone and photographs of genitals are not something everyone wants to see. However, the first hernia picture we have was by Dr. Reed Bontecou, one of the more famous Civil War medical photographers (or it was commissioned by him). Additionally, due to the draft and volunteerism, not everyone who fought in the Civil War was young and healthy, and problems like hernias resulted, but were less easily treated surgically than they are now. Finally, as we get a little farther along in the series of Civil War pictures, there will be many gruesome physical injuries with exposed viscera, and they should be just as troublesome to modern viewers. When I get done with these pictures, I’ll work through the 400 Surgical Photographs that the museum published between 1862 and 1881.

 

Letter of the Day: December 22

Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 1888

December 22, 1896

Mr. A. R. Harper
Ruston, La.

Dear Sir:

Your letter of the 15th inst., with photograph of human monster has been referred to me by the Smithsonian Institution. If you will forward it for inspection, I will examine it and let you know what its value to the Museum would be. I will add, however, that under no circumstances, it is worth more than $12.00 to $15.00, as such specimens are not rare.

Should you decide to forward it, you may send it properly boxed by Adams Express, which has authority to receive and forward it and collect freight charges here. Address: Army Medical Museum, Cor. 7th and B Sts., S.W., Washington, D.C.

Very respectfully,

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

[the photograph was kept as CP 2276, but is now missing]

Letter of the Day: December 21 [mystery diagnosis, part 3]

Fort Niobrara, Neb.
December 21st, 1896

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

Dear Doctor:

Your letter of the 9th of December in reference to slides, from a gonorrhoea case, which I had sent you was duly received. There has been considerable delay in getting other specimens as you directed as the party was away from fort. I send you by this mail slides + a specimen of morning urine to which I added a little chloroform - not having any formaline. he was directed to stop using a Sol I-2000Mn O4 for three days before attempting to spread the slides. He writes the discharge had decreased very much since I last saw him: so I am afraid the specimens sent are apt to be of little value.

The patient still denies exposure to specific contagion + declares discharge due to irritation by drink + cold and excitement of dancing + adds that at no time he did not know what he was doing.

Very respectfully yours,
P. C. Fauntleroy

Letter of the Day: December 20

Improved Centrifugal Machine

December 20, 1894

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

Sir:

I have the honor to report that I have examined the improved Dougherty Centrifugal Machine received on the 17th inst. I find that it is some respects superior to the old centrifugal machine made by the same firm. The number of revolutions is certainly much greater; and, as it runs by clock-work, it saves the labor of turning with the hand. If the spring is thoroughly strong, and warranted to last for several years, then I would pronounce it the better machine of the two for use in the service.

Very respectfully,

Walter Reed

Major and Surgeon, U.S. Army,
Curator Army Medical Museum

Letter of the Day: December 19

Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 1104

December 19, 1895

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

General:

I have the honor to report that Mr. Morris Downs, a Laborer in this Division of the office, died at 7 P.M., last night, and to request that another laborer be appointed as soon as possible as the services of such laborer are very much needed.

Very respectfully,

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

Letter of the Day: December 18

T. Sinclair & Son
Lithographic Establishment.
506 & 508 North St.
Philadelphia Dec. 18th 1883

Dear Sir:

In reply to your communication of the 17th inst., we have to say that the illustrations for 10,000 copies of Parts 1.2.3 Surgical volume and Parts 1 and 2 Medical volume would cost at the rate of one dollar per volume, or about $50,000 in all.

Very respectfully yours
Thos. Sinclair + Son

Surgeon General U.S.A.
Washington D.C.

Friday Fact

You might have noticed that our "Letters of the Day" frequently contain the word "inst.," which always seem to reference a date of some kind. Having confined most of my previous research to the very late 19th century/ early 20th century, this was a convention that I hadn't run across very often until I started here at NMHM. It occurred to me that some readers out there might be confused, or at least curious, as I was.

These abbreviations are common in correspondence from the Civil War era, but have (obviously) fallen out of fashion. So here goes:

"Inst." is an abbreviation for "instant", which refers to the current month or year, depending upon its context. For example, "the 17th of December, inst.," means December 17 of the current year. "The 17th, inst.," means the 17th day of the current month.

You may also see the word "ult." - an abbreviation for "ultimo" - which means the previous month or year.

Letter of the Day: December 17

Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 374

December 17, 1894

Dr. Paul Gibier,
Director New York Pasteur Institute,
1-7 West 97th St.,
New York.

Dear Doctor:

In the Therapeutic Review, Vol. II., No. 4, which you were kind enough to send me a few days ago, I observe, on page 73, that “Serum is now procurable with an antitoxic power of 50,000,” at your Institute. I will thank you very much if you can send me 10 c.c. of this serum; at the same time please forward bill for the serum.

Very sincerely yours,

Walter Reed
Major and Surgeon, U.S. Army
Curator Army Medical Museum.

Holiday bit 2 - Ex Libris

Here’s a bookplate based on the Museum’s photograph #Reeve 85182-82 “Avoid Pickups”. You should get 4 per 8x10 page. Write your name in the white box and glue one into your book and you should get it back, or perhaps not even have the book borrowed in the first place.

 

Happy holidays

Holiday bit - Sinclair and Sons stationary, blanked out for use

 

Letter of the Day: December 16

Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 1872

 

Mssrs Richard Kny & Co.,

17 Park Place,

New York.

 

Gentlemen:

 

Will you have the kindness to inform me at an early date of the prices at which you will furnish the following preparatioins:

 

Osteological Preparations, Catalogue III

p. 3. Skull disarticulated, mounted according to Beauchene, bones untied by polished metal strips, screw movement.

p. 3 Ear with two cuts, internal and median.

p. 15. Skull of monkey, mounted after Beauchene.

 

Biological Preparations, Catalogue No. V, pp. 20 and 21.

 

I.                    Dissected Preparations.

Mus decumanus

Columba sp.

Lacerta agilis.

Rana fortis.

Tinca vulgaris.

Bombyx mori.

Astacus fluviatilis.

Helix pomatis.

 

II.                  Injected preparations.

Mus decumanus.

Columba sp.

Lacerta agilis.

Rana fortis.

Tinca vulgaris.

Astacus fluviatilis.

Helix pomatis.

Hiruda medicinalis.

 

III.                Nerve Preparations.

Mus decumanus.

Columba sp.

Lacerta agilis.

Rana escuelenta.

Melolontha vugaris.

Hydrophilus piceus.

Astacus fluviatilis.

 

Very respectfully,

 

D.L. Huntington

Deputy Surgeon General, U.S. Army,

In charge of Mus. and Lib. Div.

 

Additional

Hiruda medicinalis, nerve prep.

Helix pomatis, “ “

 

 

Washington Post obituary for River Blindness crusader

Rene Le Berre, 78

Entomologist saved millions of Africans from river blindness

By Emma Brown

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/14/AR2010121407707.html

 

Pictures of the disease from the MIS Library –

 

 

Letter of the Day: December 15

Subject: Army Medical School Library.

War Department,
Surgeon General's Office,
Washington, December 15, 1894.

Major Walter Reed,
Surgeon, U.S. Army,
Secretary, Army Medical School,
Washington, D.C.,

Sir:

The Surgeon General has directed me as President of the Army Medical School to inform you that it is his desire that a special library should be formed and added to as opportunity affords, for the use of the Faculty and Students of the Army Medical School. While this library will contain chiefly "books of reference", works on the branches taught in the Army Medical School and the more important recent works on general medical and surgical subjects will be added. The Surgeon General has already sent to you for this purpose a number of medical works and will continue to do so; and he desires that you will suggest from time to time the names of suitable books with a view to their purchase from the medical appropriation.

It is desired that you will as soon as convenient prepare a catalogue of the Library of the Army Medical School.

Very respectfully,

Chs. H. Alden

Assistant Surgeon General, U.S. Army
President, Army Medical School

Post says "GSA relinquishes claim to Walter Reed property"

GSA relinquishes claim to Walter Reed property
By Jonathan O'Connell
Monday, December 13, 2010; 4
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/10/AR2010121006109_pf.html

This would include the AFIP Building (and its Museum space), the Rumbaugh parking garage and the hospital among others.

Letter of the Day: December 14

USA General Hospital No. 5
Frederick City Md. Dec. 14th 1862

Surgeon Brinton USA

Sir

I have learned that there is now connected with the Medical Department of the Army, an Anatomical Museum under your charge, I have a couple of dry specimens. One of the Knee Joint, the other Foetus, which I requested Surgeon Keene to inform you of , I would be pleased to have you present them to the Surgeon Gen'l from me - I prepared them while reading Medicine at Hartford Conn. I have Written my father to have them Expressed to you.

I have been some time in preparing specimens here, I should be pleased if I could be Transferred to Washington for duty under your charge, as I have a great taste for Anatomy. Please let me hear if you have received them or not + oblige.

I am your Obt Servant

H.S. Hannen
Medical Cadet, USA

Letter of the Day: December 13

Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 1094

War Department,
Surgeon General’s Office,
U.S. Army Medical Museum and Library,
Corner 7th and B Streets S.W.,
Washington, D.C., December 13, 1895

Dr. J.S. Billings,
Laboratory of Hygiene,
University of Pennsylvania,
34th and Locust Sts.,
West Philadelphia, Pa.

Dear Dr. Billings:

I herewith enclose a letter received this day from Mr. Wm. S. Bonwill, of Philadelphia, in regard to a collection of his inventions in medical and dental surgery.

Will you kindly read the letter and return it to me with any information you may have regarding the man or his offer.

Very sincerely yours,

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


My dear Dr Huntington

Dr Bonwill is a very ingenious dentist who has invented a number of instruments and devices. The best known of which is the “Dental Engine” which every dentist uses. His is somewhat cranky and appreciates himself highly. I would suggest a polite reply delivering thanks, and saying that this will be a valuable addition etc. etc.

Very truly yours
JS Billings.

Letter of the Day: December 12

Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 1094

2009 Chestnut St.,
Philadelphia, PA.

12/12/95 – 1:30. a.m.

Dr. Billings:

Dear Dr:-

Let this be my Will and Testament so far as the present gift is concerned.

At my death or sooner if I so conclude I desire that the Army and Medical Museum at Washington D.C. shall have the large collection of models of all my Inventions in Medical and Dental Surgery for the past forty years. The collection is the largest of any individual in the Dental and perhaps Medical Profession and which have marked an era and are entirely unique.

You may hold this as your security against all others who might claim it.

I will have them systematically arranged on Tablets and with full index that each can be easily designated and the full history of invention and discovery of one man in 40 years.

Kindly reply,
I am Sincerely,

Wm. S. Bonwill