Letter of the Day: March 30

Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 06620

"Copy"

Surgeon General's Office,
Museum and Library Division, Washington, Mar. 30, 1903

To the Hon. The Secretary of War.

Referring to communication of March 27, 1903, I desire to admit that I have assisted a friend on several occasions to do light repairing, but have not made it a practice of doing so at all times, and if it is against the rules of this Department for me to do work of this character, I will do no more of it in the future.

You obedient servant,
(Sgd.) John Putland

(Encl. B)

Letter of the Day: March 29

Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 01383

Fort McIntosh, Texas

March 29, 1896

Maj. Walter Reed U.S.A.
Washington, D.C.

Dear Doctor:

I have this day forwarded to your address some sputa collected with aseptic care from a tuberculous patient, whom I have treated for six weeks with Paguin's serum.

An examination made at the beginning of treatment revealed a great number of bacilli. For the last few days I have endeavored to demonstrate their prisence [sic] but without success, whether this is due to my own imperfect technique, or to the fact the serum has been this effective I am unable to say, at any rate I am unwilling to rely upon the results of my own investigation. As the question is one of great importance to the patient, upon which depends the continence of the treatment, I beg that you will kindly give me the results of your examination thereof-the patient is a member of an officer's family.

x x x x x x

Please pardon the inquiry, but when may I expect the histological mounts that you are preparing? I understand that in the midst of your official duties you have little time for outside work; but I am extremely anxious for them and am prompted to ask the question at the expense of propriety.

Very respectfully
R.S. Woodson

Medical Museum to Close Exhibits in 5 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.

 

Former curator Jim Connor's medical records research project

Jim Connor left the Museum a few years ago to return to Canada. Here's a project he's working on with Newfoundland health records -

http://www.thetelegram.com/Arts---Life/2011-03-16/article-2334336/A-second-opinion-/1

Letter of the Day: March 28

Subject: Purchase of Medical Medals, etc.

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

Washington, March 28, 1898.

To the Surgeon General,
U.S. Army.

General:

I have the honor to request authority to purchase for deposit in the Army Medical Museums the following medical medals:

St. Johns Guild floating hospital, $1.50
Stephen Girard.......50;

also for bacteriological specimens, &c.:

6 rabbits......... $3.00
6 Guinea pigs.......3.00
2 mice.......... .50

to be paid for from the Museum Appropriation as emergency purchases.

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

Medical Museum to Close Exhibits in 6 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.

 

Medical Museum to Close Exhibits in 7 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 27

Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 03781

Subject: Medical Department Equipment.

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

Washington, March 27, 1899.

To the Surgeon General,
U.S. Army

General:

I have the honor to request that I be furnished, for deposit in the Army Medical Museum, with the following articles as now used by the Medical Department of the U.S. Army:

1 First aid packet
1 Field operating case
1 Medical chest
1 Surgical chest
1 Field desk, equipped.

It is not necessary that the bottles in the chest be filled, but they should have the proper labels.

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

Last week of the Museum pictures on Flickr

I shot over 300 photos of the Museum's exhibits and collection areas on last Friday, which is slightly over a week before the Museum closes at Walter Reed Army Medical Center for good. The last day to see exhibits is April 3, 2011, or you can look at them online here. The new building is considerably smaller and most of these exhibits will not be reworked for display there.

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