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.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Letter of the Day: April 12
War Department,
Surgeon General's Office,
U.S.Army Medical Museum and Library,
Corner of 7th and B Streets.,
Washington, April 12, 1901
Dr. Cecil French,
718 12th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C.
Sir:
I am directed by the Surgeon General to express his thanks for the portions of the left side of the pelvis, of the small intestine and of the internal genitals, showing an inguinal hernia, received from you on the 11th inst. The specimen has been added to the collection with a properly inscribed card.
Respectfully,
AF Woodhull
Col. Asst. Surg.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Luke Jerrem, Artist
I have seen alot of these now as models, paintings, drawings, all ugly evoking only disgust, certainly none as beautiful to look at as these.
click the link for more.
Letter of the Day: April 11
Repair of Skylight
Surgeon General's Office,
U.S.Army Medical Museum and Library,
Corner of 7th and B Streets SW.,
Washington, April 11, 1902
To the Surgeon General,
U.S. Army
General:
I have the honor to report that two panes of glass of the skylight of the photograph gallery of this building, need replacing . The panes, not being perfectly straight (always more or less concave), seem to rest on the four corners with result, that with every heavy windstorm the corners break off. Thus it has been necessary to have the glass repaired every year since the occupation of this building. I would therefore recommend that the glass of the entire skylight (18 x 12 ft.) be replaced with straight heavy ribbed glass, a sample of which, furnished by C.E. Hodgkin, 918 Seventh St., N.W. is herewith submitted. I understand that the cost of this change would not exceed $40.00.
Very respectfully,
Calvin DeWitt
Col. & Asst. Surgeon General, U.S.A.
In charge of Museum & Library Division
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Letter of the Day: April 10
Fort Barrancas Fla.
April 10th 1897.
Major Walter Reed
Surgeon U.S.A.
Dear Doctor,
I forward by todays mail [a] piece of a small warty tumor from tongue of Tucker[?] Clifford. It is situated in center of dorsum of anterior surface of tongue + not not raised above [the] surface. It looks to me suspicious.
Will you be kind enought to examine + give me your opinion.
Very truly yours,
W.C. Gorgas.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Letter of the Day: April 9
9 April 1962
Mr. W.O. Miller
Exhibit Manager
The Upjohn Company
Kalamazoo, Michigan
Dear Mr. Miller:
Last year the Medical Museum had approximately 700,000 visitors and it is anticipated that the figure will reach the million mark by 1963.
We would like to have the opportunity of exhibiting The Cell during 1963. Do you have a photograph and descriptive material on this exhibit?
It is regretted that The “Brain” is too complicated to exhibit here.
Sincerely yours,
John W. Sheridan
Colonel MSC
Curator, Medical Museum
Friday, April 8, 2011
CANCELLED: Medical Museum's Poetry Month Program: Sat., 4/9, 12:30-1:30pm
CANCELLED! Due to unforeseen circumstances, this program is cancelled!
Program will be rescheduled – stay tuned for details!
Questions? Call (202) 782-2673
Medical Museum’s Poetry Month Celebration!
Animal_Magnetism.jpg
CANCELLED -- When: Saturday, April 9, 2011, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
What: Join the Museum 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. (Museum exhibits are closed, as of 4/3/2011.) A book signing will follow the program. Copies of “Animal Magnetism” will be available for purchase.
Questions? Call (202) 782-2673 or email nmhminfo@afip.osd.mil.
National Museum of Health and Medicine
6900 Georgia Avenue, NW, Building 54, Washington, D.C. 20307
http://www.nmhm.washingtondc.museum --(202) 782-2672 – nmhminfo@afip.osd.mil
NMHM on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MedicalMuseum
NMHM on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MedicalMuseum
Letter of the Day: April 8
April 8, 1898
Mr. Richard Sylvester
Chief Clerk, Met. Police Dept.
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
I have the pleasure of acknowledging the receipt, through Dr. D.S. Lamb, of the bullet extracted from the body of Taulces [?] and other bullets removed from the bodies of suicides, and to thank you for these contributions to the museum collections.
Very respectfully,
Walter Reed
Surgeon, U.S. Army,
Curator
Thursday, April 7, 2011
April 9th Poetry event cancelled
Saturday, April 9 · 12:30pm - 1:30pm
CANCELLED DUE TO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES! We apologize for the
inconvenience and regret that we have to make this change in our
programming. Please stay tuned for a future date when this program may
be held.
Letter of the Day: April 7
Commisionn [sic] Merchants,
58, 60 & 62 Broadway & 21 New St.
New York April 7, 1897.
Librarian
Surgeon General's Office, U.S. Army,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
Having been requested by my friend Mr. Faria owner of an anthopological [sic] collections of South American Indian objects, about 200000 articles, to negotiate with influential parties to dispose of the same under certain conditions; the specimens cannot be duplicated being all provided with certificate of authority, believing therefore it would be a great acquisition for any of the scientific Institutions of this country. The owners purpose is to make a donation of the same with the sole condition that he would be appointed Director, with a small yearly compensation; he has the capacity and knowledge, having devoted some years to the study of anthropology. If you believe something could be done I beg of you to let me have your valuable advice. Thanking you in advance I remain
Yours respectfully,
(Signed) A Macias.
Please address your answer to
Mr. A.J. Macias
102 West 90th Street
New York.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Letter of the Day: April 6
Fort Riley, Kansas,
April 6th., 1897
Major Walter Reed, U.S.A.,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Doctor:
I send you today, by express, a pathological specimen, which I would be very glad to have examined microscopically. It is from the wife of Capt. Anderson, and Artillery Officer of this garrison - She reached this Post from Ft. Adams, Rhode Island about the middle of December last, and I was called to see her. I found a very much enlarged Spleen, reaching almost, if not quite, down to the crest of the Ilium. I learned, that the case had been diagnosed and treated as one of Malarial disease, "Ague-cake", but an examination of the blood made here, at no time showed the presence of the parasite in any of it's forms - There were, however, a large number of Eosinophile cells present - I turned the case over to one of my Assistants, who resided close by her, and did not see her again until about 20th. of March last, when I found the abdomen greatly enlarged, the patient markedly emaciated, and confined to bed. An examination of the blood at this time showed an entire absence of the Eosinophiles, and a great excess of polynuclear leucocytes.
Mrs Anderson was 48 years of age.- Day before yesterday a laparotomy was done with no satisfactory results, and this morning she died.-
I give you the forgoing brief narrative of facts, for what they may be worth, in assisting you to arrived at a satisfactory conclusion, as to the nature of the neoplastic growth.
Very truly yours
J.L. Powell
Capt. etc.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Edinburgh Stereoscopic Anatomy set donated
In spite of the Museum’s closing to move, the collections are still growing. Milton and Daniel Klein donated this 1929 set of Edinburgh Stereoscopic Anatomy which complements some earlier sets that we have.
Letter of the Day: April 5
Subject.
War Department,
Surgeon General's Office,
Washington, April 5, 1897
Major Walter Reed,
Surgeon, U.S. Army,
Secretary, Army Medical School,
My dear Reed,
I received on Saturday, the examination papers of the last class in "Duties of Medical Officers." After consulting the Surgeon General on the subject it seems unnecessary to keep all these examination papers as they are quite bulky and not likely to be needed. The Surgeon general suggests, however, that it is important that we should keep on hand a file of the questions given out in each branch session. Will you kindly give attention to this matter and get up, if practicable, a set of examination papers for each session to file with the records of the School. I send you down a copy of my questions given at the last session.
Lest I may not see you soon, I want to say when I handed my report of the School to the General, April 1st, he was very complimentary in his expressions of satisfaction at the work of the Faculty, stating that he thought the course was better than that given by any Army Medical School. His praise was intended of course not for my own ears, so that I want my colleagues and of the faculty to know it.
Very truly yours,
C.H. Alden
Monday, April 4, 2011
Make Your Plans Now: Medical Museum's Poetry Month Program: Sat., 4/9, 12:30-1:30pm
Medical Museum’s Poetry Month Celebration!
An Afternoon of Poetry with Kim Roberts, author of "Animal Magnetism"
When: Saturday, April 9, 2011, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
What: Join the Museum 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. (Museum exhibits are closed, as of 4/3/2011.) A book signing will follow the program. Copies of “Animal Magnetism” will be available for purchase.
Cost: Free!
Where: Russell Auditorium, NMHM in Bldg 54, on the Walter Reed campus <http://nmhm.washingtondc.museum/about/directions.html>
Questions? Call (202) 782-2673 or email nmhminfo@afip.osd.mil.
National Museum of Health and Medicine
6900 Georgia Avenue, NW, Building 54, Washington, D.C. 20307
http://www.nmhm.washingtondc.museum --(202) 782-2672 – nmhminfo@afip.osd.mil
NMHM on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MedicalMuseum
NMHM on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MedicalMuseum
Letter of the Day: April 4
War Department,
Surgeon General's Office,
U.S. Army medical Museum and Library,
Corner of 7th and B Streets, S.W.
Washington, April 4, 1899
Dr. J.W. Grant,
Danville Avenue
Lancaster, Ky.
Dear Sir:
Referring to your letter of the 29th ult., in regard to an old and worn out set of artificial teeth, I would state that I cannot make you an offer for the same, without previous inspection. In case, however, you should desire to present it to this Museum, it will be placed in the Museum collection, properly labeled, and credit given you as donor. It may be sent directed to the Army Medical Museum, by Adams express, which has authority to receive it and collect charges here.
Very respectfully,
Dallas Bache
Col. & Asst. Surgeon General, U.S.A.
In charge of Museum & Library Division
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Medical Museum to Close Exhibits After Today
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: April 3
April 3, 1897
Lieut. Francis A. Winter,
Asst. Surgeon, U.S. Army,
Hotel Raleigh,
Washington, D.C.
Sir: I am directed by the President of the Board of Officers convened for your examination to inform you that your examination having been completed, your attendance is no longer necessary.
Very respectfully,
Walter Reed
Major and Surgeon, U.S. Army, Recorder.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Medical Museum to Close Exhibits in 1 Day
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.