Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 06710
Transportation &c. of alcohol.
Surgeon General's Office,
U.S. Army medical Museum and Library,
Corner 7th and B Streets S.W.
Washington, May 20, 1903.
To the Surgeon General,
U.S. Army
Sir:
I have the honor to transmit, for your signature, a letter to the Quartermaster General, U.S. Army, requesting transportation for seven (7) barrels of alcohol from warehouse No. 4, of Columbus Distilling Co., 1st District of New York, to Army Medical Museum, and also a letter to Collector of Internal Revenue, 1st District of New York, requesting him to turn the alcohol over to the Chief Quartermaster, Department of the East.
The duplicate permit for free withdrawal of alcohol is forwarded herewith.
Very respectfully,
Calvin DeWitt
Col. Asst. Surgeon General, U. S. A.
In charge of Museum and Library Division.
(3 enclosures)
Friday, May 20, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Letter of the Day: May 19
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 03890
Dr. F. T. Meriwether,
U.S. Army Retired.
No. 14 Grove Street.
Asheville, N. C. May 19th, 1899
Maj. Walter Reed, U.S.A.
Washington, D.C.
Sir,
I send today in your care specimens of a probable Sarcoma of the Jaw, and what is of more interest a piece of a cancer of the lung. The history in brief of the latter is as follows. Male, age 35. Both father and mother died of Carcinoma of some form. Three months ago he was tapped Aspirated while in Baltimore for supposed Pleutritic effusion. Only a pint obtained. History up that time was an almost perfect one so far as health concerned. Cough developed shortly and he was sent to Asheville for supposed Tuberculosis. The chest when I saw him in consultation was enlarged upon the side affected, the left one; respiration was disturbed, had Hemoptysis and twice coughed up large masses of what seemed to be lung tissue. Temp and pulse record about that of Tuberculosis. The diagnosis was never made with certainty , though I rather incline towards malignancy. Aspiration secured some broken down cheesy looking masses which did not contain T.B. Patient suffered much at the last from Dyspnoea, and died five weeks after arriving here, the total duration being Three months. "Post" showed a lung very much broken down in spots, and the remainder of the tissue I send you. A small spot in the centre of the right lung seemed to be of the same tissue. Knowing the infrequency of Cancer of the lung I take the liberty of sending you this specimen, and request that when an accurate diagnosis is made you let me know the results. The largest piece is that of the lung and the smaller that from the jaw. The case will probably be reported at the meeting of the State Society to be held here shortly and I will see that you get a more complete history if you would like one. Let me also know the form of Sarcoma the smaller specimen.
I trust I am not imposing on your kindness too much and that I will be able to return the favor.
Very respectfully,
F[illegible] Meriwether
Dr. F. T. Meriwether,
U.S. Army Retired.
No. 14 Grove Street.
Asheville, N. C. May 19th, 1899
Maj. Walter Reed, U.S.A.
Washington, D.C.
Sir,
I send today in your care specimens of a probable Sarcoma of the Jaw, and what is of more interest a piece of a cancer of the lung. The history in brief of the latter is as follows. Male, age 35. Both father and mother died of Carcinoma of some form. Three months ago he was tapped Aspirated while in Baltimore for supposed Pleutritic effusion. Only a pint obtained. History up that time was an almost perfect one so far as health concerned. Cough developed shortly and he was sent to Asheville for supposed Tuberculosis. The chest when I saw him in consultation was enlarged upon the side affected, the left one; respiration was disturbed, had Hemoptysis and twice coughed up large masses of what seemed to be lung tissue. Temp and pulse record about that of Tuberculosis. The diagnosis was never made with certainty , though I rather incline towards malignancy. Aspiration secured some broken down cheesy looking masses which did not contain T.B. Patient suffered much at the last from Dyspnoea, and died five weeks after arriving here, the total duration being Three months. "Post" showed a lung very much broken down in spots, and the remainder of the tissue I send you. A small spot in the centre of the right lung seemed to be of the same tissue. Knowing the infrequency of Cancer of the lung I take the liberty of sending you this specimen, and request that when an accurate diagnosis is made you let me know the results. The largest piece is that of the lung and the smaller that from the jaw. The case will probably be reported at the meeting of the State Society to be held here shortly and I will see that you get a more complete history if you would like one. Let me also know the form of Sarcoma the smaller specimen.
I trust I am not imposing on your kindness too much and that I will be able to return the favor.
Very respectfully,
F[illegible] Meriwether
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Museum and Fort Detrick
Detrick celebrates new partnership with National Museum of Health and Medicine
Originally published May 18, 2011
By Megan Eckstein
News-Post Staff
http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?storyID=121305
Letter of the Day: May 18
[The venom of the Heterodon platirhinos (aka Eastern Hognose Snake, Puff Adder, Hissing Adder, Spreading Adder, Blow Viper, Hissing Sand Snake) is non-threatening to humans, but can cause a mild allergic reaction in some. According to the University of Florida "The Hognose Snake is renowned for its 'death feigning' behavior. When threatened, it flattens its head and neck and hisses loudly. It may strike, but only with its mouth closed. If it is further harassed, it will flip on its back and convulse for a short period and may defecate and regurgitate its food. It will then remain motionless with its belly up, mouth open, and tongue hanging out.[...] [Native Floridians] call the banded form of the Hognose Snake a "Puff Adder" and correctly believe it to be harmless. However, the black form of the Hognose Snake is called a "Spreading Adder" and is wrongly believed to be deadly. Another old myth says that the Hognose Snake can mix venom with its breath and is thus able to kill a person from a distance of twenty-five feet. In truth, its breath is harmless."]
Smithsonian Correspondence
United States National Museum
Under the Direction of
The Smithsonian Institution
Washington, May 18, 1883.
Surgeon General Charles H. Crane:
Medical Bureau,
War Department.
Dear Sir:
At the request of Dr. Henry G. Yarrow, Honorary Curator, Department of Reptiles, I have the pleasure to present herewith to the Army Medical Museum a specimen of a blowing viper, Heterodon platyrhinus [Heterodon platirhinos], having certain morbid growths upon different parts of its body. I enclose a copy of a memorandum sent to Dr. Yarrow by Dr. J.C. McConnell, relative to the nature of the pathological structure.
Your very respectfully,
Spencer Baird
Director: U.S. Nat'l Museum
Smithsonian Correspondence
United States National Museum
Under the Direction of
The Smithsonian Institution
Washington, May 18, 1883.
Surgeon General Charles H. Crane:
Medical Bureau,
War Department.
Dear Sir:
At the request of Dr. Henry G. Yarrow, Honorary Curator, Department of Reptiles, I have the pleasure to present herewith to the Army Medical Museum a specimen of a blowing viper, Heterodon platyrhinus [Heterodon platirhinos], having certain morbid growths upon different parts of its body. I enclose a copy of a memorandum sent to Dr. Yarrow by Dr. J.C. McConnell, relative to the nature of the pathological structure.
Your very respectfully,
Spencer Baird
Director: U.S. Nat'l Museum
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Sickles' leg temporarily displayed on Army base
Civil War general's severed leg on display in Md.
Associated Press May 16 2011
http://online.wsj.com/article/AP9fb30fddfb344009b59122a8cb0b72d1.html
Letter of the Day: May 17
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 03882
May 17, 1899.
Mr. H. G. Johnson,
Lambertsville, N.J.
Dear Sir:
I have the pleasure of acknowledging the receipt, on the 16th inst., of a malformed duckling, and to thank you for this contribution to the Museum collection. The malformation consists in in [sic] there being but one socket and either but one eye or two eyes immediately side by side. There is also a corresponding malformation of the brain.
This Museum issues no publications, and I can, therefore, send you no printed description.
Very respectfully,
Dallas Bache
Col. & Asst. Surgeon General, U.S. Army
In charge of Museum & Library Division.
May 17, 1899.
Mr. H. G. Johnson,
Lambertsville, N.J.
Dear Sir:
I have the pleasure of acknowledging the receipt, on the 16th inst., of a malformed duckling, and to thank you for this contribution to the Museum collection. The malformation consists in in [sic] there being but one socket and either but one eye or two eyes immediately side by side. There is also a corresponding malformation of the brain.
This Museum issues no publications, and I can, therefore, send you no printed description.
Very respectfully,
Dallas Bache
Col. & Asst. Surgeon General, U.S. Army
In charge of Museum & Library Division.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Letter of the Day: May 16
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 03883
May 16, 1899.
Chief Medical Officer
Army of
General:
I have the honor to request information upon the subject of the employment of trained female nurses, or nursing sisters, in the Army medical service under your control.
1st. Have you a small force of female nurses, or sisters, employed in time of peace, and a registry of those available in time of war? If employed in time of peace, how many? Are such nurses obtained through the agency of charitable societies, or such an association as that of the Red Cross, and under what rules as to length of service, payment, and subordination to military authority.
2nd. Whether employed in the general and large permanent hospitals only, or employed in the infirmaries and hospitals in the camps of instruction, or even in the field hospitals of troops not actively engaged in a campaign.
Should this information be included in any publication relating to the medical service which you have the honor to direct, will you be kind enough either to send such publications to this Library, for deposit, or to inform me where it can be obtained?
With an apology for any trouble which this request may give you, and asking your courtesy in the matter, I remain, General
Your obedient servant,
Dallas Bache
Col. & Asst. Surgeon General, U.S. Army,
In charge of Museum & Library Division.
Chief Med. Officer, Army of Norway, Christiania, Norway
""" Mexican Army, Mexico, Mexico.
""" Belgian Army, Brussels, Belgium.
Director General, Army Med. Dept. Army of Great Britain, London, Eng.
Chief Med. Officer, Army of France, Paris, France.
""" of the Army of the German Empire, Berlin, Germany.
""" Army of the Austrian Empire, Vienna, Austria.
""" Army of Italy, Rome, Italy.
""" Russian Army, St. Petersburg, Russia.
""" Turkish Army, Constantinople, Turkey.
""" Army of Switzerland, Geneva, Switzerland.
""" Army of Greece, Athens, Greece.
May 16, 1899.
Chief Medical Officer
Army of
General:
I have the honor to request information upon the subject of the employment of trained female nurses, or nursing sisters, in the Army medical service under your control.
1st. Have you a small force of female nurses, or sisters, employed in time of peace, and a registry of those available in time of war? If employed in time of peace, how many? Are such nurses obtained through the agency of charitable societies, or such an association as that of the Red Cross, and under what rules as to length of service, payment, and subordination to military authority.
2nd. Whether employed in the general and large permanent hospitals only, or employed in the infirmaries and hospitals in the camps of instruction, or even in the field hospitals of troops not actively engaged in a campaign.
Should this information be included in any publication relating to the medical service which you have the honor to direct, will you be kind enough either to send such publications to this Library, for deposit, or to inform me where it can be obtained?
With an apology for any trouble which this request may give you, and asking your courtesy in the matter, I remain, General
Your obedient servant,
Dallas Bache
Col. & Asst. Surgeon General, U.S. Army,
In charge of Museum & Library Division.
Chief Med. Officer, Army of Norway, Christiania, Norway
""" Mexican Army, Mexico, Mexico.
""" Belgian Army, Brussels, Belgium.
Director General, Army Med. Dept. Army of Great Britain, London, Eng.
Chief Med. Officer, Army of France, Paris, France.
""" of the Army of the German Empire, Berlin, Germany.
""" Army of the Austrian Empire, Vienna, Austria.
""" Army of Italy, Rome, Italy.
""" Russian Army, St. Petersburg, Russia.
""" Turkish Army, Constantinople, Turkey.
""" Army of Switzerland, Geneva, Switzerland.
""" Army of Greece, Athens, Greece.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Letter of the Day: May 15
War Department,
Surgeon General's Office,
Washington, May 15, 1902
Col. Calvin DeWitt
Assistant Surgeon General, U.S. Army,
Army Medical Museum,
Washington, D.C.
Sir: I am directed by the Surgeon General to request that you will have the picture of Dr. John Morgan, now in the library, Surgeon General's Office, photographed, and send four copies to this office. Also of Drs. Shippen and Craik -- if the pictures of these officers are in your possession.
Very respectfully,
John Van R. Hoff
Lieut. Colonel, Deputy Surgeon General, U.S. Army
Surgeon General's Office,
Washington, May 15, 1902
Col. Calvin DeWitt
Assistant Surgeon General, U.S. Army,
Army Medical Museum,
Washington, D.C.
Sir: I am directed by the Surgeon General to request that you will have the picture of Dr. John Morgan, now in the library, Surgeon General's Office, photographed, and send four copies to this office. Also of Drs. Shippen and Craik -- if the pictures of these officers are in your possession.
Very respectfully,
John Van R. Hoff
Lieut. Colonel, Deputy Surgeon General, U.S. Army
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Letter of the Day: May 14
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 05920
Surgeon General's Office
U.S. Army Medical Museum and Library,
Corner 7th and B Streets S.W.
Washington, May 14, 1908
Sally Rosenberg,
Frankfurt a/m
Scillerstrasse 18
Sir:
Referring to the letter of Michael von Lukacsich (Catalogue of 1901, p. 114, No. 2272) recently received from you, I would like to informed of the following points:
What was Lukacsich's connection with Heiligengeist Hospital?
Was he a graduated physician?
When did his death occur?
I should be pleased to receive the above information which is probably obtainable from the officers of the "Heiligengeist Hospital" of your city.
Very respectfully,
Calvin DeWitt
Col. & Asst. Surgeon General, U.S.A.
In charge of Museum & Library Division
Surgeon General's Office
U.S. Army Medical Museum and Library,
Corner 7th and B Streets S.W.
Washington, May 14, 1908
Sally Rosenberg,
Frankfurt a/m
Scillerstrasse 18
Sir:
Referring to the letter of Michael von Lukacsich (Catalogue of 1901, p. 114, No. 2272) recently received from you, I would like to informed of the following points:
What was Lukacsich's connection with Heiligengeist Hospital?
Was he a graduated physician?
When did his death occur?
I should be pleased to receive the above information which is probably obtainable from the officers of the "Heiligengeist Hospital" of your city.
Very respectfully,
Calvin DeWitt
Col. & Asst. Surgeon General, U.S.A.
In charge of Museum & Library Division
Friday, May 13, 2011
Letter of the Day: May 13
Curatorial Records: Incoming Correspondence
Post Hospital,
Fort Davis, Texas, May 13, 1881
Surgeon General USA
Washington, D.C.-Thro[sic] Medical Director Director Dept of Texas
General:
I have the honor to state that I have turned over to the quartermaster
at the post for transmission to the Army Medical Museum - one box -
containing a foetus of about 3 monthe growth delivered of a mule at this
station. The specimen was presented to me by First Lieutenant S.L.
Woodward 10th Calvary - who informed me that he was present at the
accouchment [sic] and that there could be no doubt about the facts in
the case.
The mother is a pack mule - age unknown belonging to Troop K 10th
Calvary - and the sire [word inserted] father a young Broncho Stallion -
which was allowed to run in the corral with the pack mules and had been
repeatedly noticed in attempts on this and other mules.
I have the honor to be
General
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant
Harvey E. Brown
General U.S. Army
Letter of the Day: May 12
Curatorial Records: Incoming Correspondence
12th May 1885
Dr. Jno [sic] S. Billings,
Army Medical Museum,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
Your favor of the 8th inst to hand.
Photonegative arrived at our office this A.M. broken into a number of
pieces the enclosed roughed-out will show how the box was broken, the
boards being so thin that the expressmen must have put something heavy
on it + thus broken it in.
We would advise bracing thus [illustration] brace mail on lip crosswise
in about center of box.
Please let us know what you will do i.e. are we to expect another
negative-
Hoping to hear from you-
We remain-
Yours very truly
Crosscup and West Engraving Company
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Letter of the Day: May 11
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 02215
May 11, 1897
Dr. Arthur A. Snyder
Corner 31st and N St. N.W.
Georgetown, D.C.
Dear Doctor:
I regret to inform you that it is impossible to make a diagnosis of the tumor of the testicle which was received April 30th at this Museum, for the reason that the structure is so completely necrotic as to fail to give any idea whatever of the original structure of the growth. The necrotic mass is surrounded by a much thickened tunica vaginalis, between which and the mass of the tumor there appears to be no connection whatever. It is one of the possibilities that this is a specimen of an old encapsulated abscess.
Sincerely yours,
Walter Reed
Surgeon, U.S. Army,
Curator.
May 11, 1897
Dr. Arthur A. Snyder
Corner 31st and N St. N.W.
Georgetown, D.C.
Dear Doctor:
I regret to inform you that it is impossible to make a diagnosis of the tumor of the testicle which was received April 30th at this Museum, for the reason that the structure is so completely necrotic as to fail to give any idea whatever of the original structure of the growth. The necrotic mass is surrounded by a much thickened tunica vaginalis, between which and the mass of the tumor there appears to be no connection whatever. It is one of the possibilities that this is a specimen of an old encapsulated abscess.
Sincerely yours,
Walter Reed
Surgeon, U.S. Army,
Curator.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
More Civil War soldier photographs added to Flickr
3 or so pictures continue to go up each day, including
CP 1220 Captain JW Force, 22nd US Colored Troops.
CP 1216 Confederate soldier Columbus Rush, 21st Georgia Volunteers
CP 1219 Corporal J.H. Jaxcox, 143rd New York Volunteers
CP 1220 Captain JW Force, 22nd US Colored Troops.
CP 1216 Confederate soldier Columbus Rush, 21st Georgia Volunteers
CP 1219 Corporal J.H. Jaxcox, 143rd New York Volunteers
PR: Visualizing Prosthetics research project at University of Maryland, Baltimore County
As requested -
UMBC anthropologist Seth Messinger recently began a new collaborative
arts-based research project exploring the everyday lived experiences of
people who wear prosthetics. An illustrated announcement is at
goo.gl/o4dRw <http://goo.gl/o4dRw> , and we invite you to post this on
the Bottled Monsters blog if you'd like, or to share it with your
colleagues
Letter of the Day: May 10
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 00649
Subject: Correction of check.
War Department,
Surgeon General's Office,
U.S. Army Medical Museum and Library,
Corner 7th and B Streets S.W.,
Washington, D.C., May 10, 1895
Lieut. Colonel Thomas Wilson,
Asst. Commissary General of Subsistence,
Army Building,
New York.
Dear Sir:
I beg to return herewith check No. 76619 payable to the order of Augustus Tracy, Hospital Corps, U.S. Army. This check has been presented at the Treasury Department, and payment refused on account of the difference in the spelling of Private Tracey's name. Will you not therefore have another check issued. The proper spelling of his name is Tracey.
Very respectfully,
Walter Reed
Surgeon, U.S. Army.
Subject: Correction of check.
War Department,
Surgeon General's Office,
U.S. Army Medical Museum and Library,
Corner 7th and B Streets S.W.,
Washington, D.C., May 10, 1895
Lieut. Colonel Thomas Wilson,
Asst. Commissary General of Subsistence,
Army Building,
New York.
Dear Sir:
I beg to return herewith check No. 76619 payable to the order of Augustus Tracy, Hospital Corps, U.S. Army. This check has been presented at the Treasury Department, and payment refused on account of the difference in the spelling of Private Tracey's name. Will you not therefore have another check issued. The proper spelling of his name is Tracey.
Very respectfully,
Walter Reed
Surgeon, U.S. Army.
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