Letter of the Day: June 24

Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 05301

War Department,
Surgeon General's Office,
U.S. Army Medical Museum and Library.
Corner of 7th and B Streets SW.,
Washington, June 24, 1901.

Dr. M.P. Overholser,
Harrisonville, MO.

My Dear Doctor:

In compliance with your request of recent date, I have mailed to your address a copy of the paper which was read at the Pan-American Congress in February last. A previous paper on the same subject appears in the last Vol. of Transactions of the American Public Health Association; a later paper was read at the meeting of the Association of American Physicians, held in this city May 2-5, 1901, and will shortly appear, I hope, in American Medicine (Dr. Gould's new journal).

I regret to say that I know of no recent literature on the transmission of malaria by the mosquito in either the French or English language, nor anything relating to the propagation of yellow fever, except what I have mentioned above.

Very truly yours,
Walter Reed
Major & Surgeon, U.S. Army.

[hand notation]
Letter of Dr. O. not received for file. P.

Letter of the Day: June 23

Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 02342

June 23, 1897

Mr. Albert Worsham
National home, D.V.S.
Hampton, Va.

Dear Sir:

Your letter of the 20th inst. has been received and in reply I would say that the eight-legged kitten referred to is not desired for this Museum. It has no commercial value.

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

Letter of the Day: June 22

Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 02340

June 22, 1897

Major Sam Q. Robinson,
Surgeon, U.S. Army,
Fort Reno, O.T.

Dear Sir:

In answer to your inquiry of the 17th inst. I would state that the 7 inch centipede, mounted dry, is not desired for the Museum collection. Thanking you for your kind offer, I remain,

Very respectfully,
D.L. Huntington
Deputy Surgeon General, U.S.A.
In charge of Museum & Library Division.

Letter of the Day: June 21

Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 03961

June 21, 1899

1st Lieut. C. B. Millhoff,
Asst. Surgeon, U.S. Army,
Comdg. U.S. Genl. Hospital,
Camp Meade, Pa.

Sir:

The sample of blood sent by you on the 20th inst. in the case of Private Frank Gallay, Co. I, 2nd U.S. Vol. Infty., has been examined and gives a positive reaction. The case appears to be one of typhoid fever. Box returned herewith.

Very respectfully,
Walter Reed
Major & Surgeon,
U.S. Army

Letter of the Day: June 20

AEM/caw

20 June 1960

Mr. Isidore B. Meyer
Coordinator of Exhibit
Civil War Centennial
Jewish Historical Commission
1109 Fifth Avenue
New York 28, New York

Dear Mr. Meyer:

Reference is made to your letter of 10 June relative to the loan of operating instruments for incorporation in your Centennial Exhibit.

These insturments, presently on loan to the B'nai B'rith Museum in Washington, will be made available to you on or about the 15th of October 1960.

As these items are not insured, it would be appreciated if you could have them insured for five hundred dolares ($500.00).

If we can be of any further assistance to you, please feel free to write.

Sincerely yours,

Albert E Minns Jr
Colonel MSC
Curator, Medical Museum

Letter of the Day: June 20

Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 06780

Army Medical Museum,
June 20, 1903.

Circular Order.

Hereafter no employs of the Surgeon General's Office, except commissioned Officers connected therewith, Dr. Fletcher, Dr. Hodge, Dr. Garrison, the Principal Clerks of the Divisions, Mr. Stone, Mr. Myers, Mr. Clark and Mr. Hardy of the Library, will be admitted to this building on Sundays. Also Dr. Lamb [handwritten note]

The night watchman must remain on duty until 8 A.M. The Superintendent of the building will instruct the watchman and see that these orders are strictly complied with.

Calvin DeWitt
Col. Asst. Surgeon General, U.S.A.
In charge of Museum & Library Division.

June 27, 1903.
Besides the persons above mentioned, Dr. D.S. Lamb and Mr. B Israeli will also be admitted on Sundays.
By order of Col C. DeWitt, Asst. Surgeon General U.S.A.
Coj[?] Myers

Letter of the Day: June 19

Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 02339

June 19, 1897

Captain W. O. Owen
Asst. Surgeon, U.S. Army,
Fort Bayard, N.M.

Dear Sir:

I have the pleasure of acknowledging the receipt of a barbed-wire fence staple removed from the throat of a child aged four months.

The Surgeon General desires me to thank you for this addition to the Museum collection.

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

Museum & AFIP's history book now available

Our friends at the Borden Institute produced a book on the history of the Museum & AFIP for us this year, which was written by the AFIP's public affairs officer Paul Stone with the assistance of Archivists Mike Rhode & Kathleen Stocker.  You can download it here:

Legacy of Excellence: The Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, 1862-2011 - Provides a narrative and photographic history of the AFIP (originally the Army Medical Museum) from its beginning during the Civil War, through the development of the modern field of pathology in the 20th century, to the response to 9/11 and beyond in the 21st century. This book is available for purchase only through the Government Printing Office (see Ordering Information).

Letter of the Day: June 18

FMT/AEM/caw

18 June 1959

MM

Captain Mauro Gangai, MC
1st Hospitalization Unit
45 Field Hospital
APO 19, New York, N.Y.

Dear Captain Gangai:

Reference is made to your letter of 8 June 1959 relative to obtaining mounted gross specimens and microscopic slides.

The Institute prepares both macropathological and micropathological material for itself and for use by requesting organizations of the Armed Forces. While the Institute does not prepare material for sale, it does have a training program in the technique of preparation and mounting of gross material in which accepted students may learn modern gross mounting methods.

Glass is no longer employed as a mounting medium for gross specimens. the old glass jars have been replaced with plastic containers which are cheaper and more useful.

While commercial sources are somewhat uncertain, Mr. Robert E. Mincey, Bird L. Color Hospital, Welfare Island, New York, is reportedly engaged in a semi-commercial production of modern plastic wet mounts.

If we may be of assistance in this matter, please do not hesitate to write.

Sincerely yours,

Frank M. Townsend
Colonel, USAF (MC)
Deputy Director

Albert E Minns Jr
Colonel MSC
Curator, Medical Museum

Letter of the Day: June 17

AEM/jlw

17 June 1960

Dr. Francis R. Dieuaide
Medical Director
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
1 Madison Avenue
New York, New York

Dear Dr. Dieuaide:

The Medical Museum of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology is
dedicated to the collection, preservation and display of military
medical material. It is one of the four major departments of the Armed
Forces Institute of Pathology, a national institution jointly sponsored
by the Army, the Navy and the Air Force.

While the parent organization is located on the grounds of the Walter
Reed Army Medical Center, the Museum is located in the downtown area of
Washington where it can better carry out its mission of service and
interest to the public. It is here that the military services portray
the developments in the field of military medicine and the resultant
benefits to all mankind. A dynamic program of current and timely Armed
Forces medical subjects, together with constantly changing exhibits of
the history and pathology of disease and certain other selected topics
of military medical history, have made this a living museum.

It has been learned through Dr. Hans Smetana, Chief, Pediatric Section,
Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, that you have a very interesting
collection of oriental medical curiosities which you ultimately plan to
give to some museum or other institute of learning.

We would be most happy to have you consider the Medical Museum as a
suitable and logical repository for your collection of objects of
medical interest. Here they would be carefully preserved for the
heritage of the future, and exhibited for the enjoyment and edification
of the more than 360,000 persons who visit the Museum annually. In
addition, your name as donor would always be associated with them.

It would be a pleasure to meet with you the next time you are in
Washington and to show you the many and varied exhibits on display in
the Museum.

Sincerely yours,

Albert E Minns Jr
Colonel MSC
Curator, Medical Museum

Cc Dr. Smetana

CBS News features Museum smallpox photograph

CBS News featured a Museum smallpox photograph in a slideshow of similar
pictures. See http://www.cbsnews.com/2300-204_162-10007793-9.html for
"23 scary photographs."

Letter of the Day: June 16

Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 02335

June 16, 1897

Dr. I.S. Stone,
1449 Rhode Island Avenue,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Doctor:

I beg to report that the microscopic examination of sections of supposed additional ovaries, left for examination on may 26, 1897, shows in both a fibrous structure rich in spindle-shaped cells, such as one generally sees in sections of the ovary. There are no Graafian follicles to be found however. The surface of one of these bodies is partially covered with a low cuboidal epithelium which can be traced into the interior of the growth, where it becomes a higher cuboidal and even ciliated columnar epithelium, lining a number of clefts which branch in various directions. I think that these various clefts lined with epithelium merely mark the outlines of papillary projections which have been cut out transversely. One of those out in a longitudinal direction is seen to be covered with high columnar ciliated epithelium. This epithelium must be considered as modified germinal epithelium, thus demonstrating the ovarian origin of these bodies. I believe, therefore, that from the microscopic appearance, these bodies should be considered as superficial papillomata of the ovary. J. Whitwedge Williams has given a full description of these papillomata in Vol. III, Johns Hopkins Hospital Reports.

Sincerely yours,
Walter Reed
Surgeon, U.S. Army,
Curator.

Letter of the Day: June 15

Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 06767

Surgeon General's Office
U.S. Army Medical Museum and Library
Corner of 7th and B Streets
Washington, June 15, 1903.

Dr. R. S. Lamb
1017 14th St. N.W.
Washington, D.C.

Dear Doctor;

I am directed by the Surgeon General to express his thanks for the two specimens of eyes removed, one for panophthalmitia, and the other for atrophy following injury, received from you on this day. they will be added to the collection with properly inscribed cards.

Very respectfully,
Calvin DeWitt
Col., Asst. Surgeon General, U.S.A.
In charge of Museum & Library Division.

Specimens Nos. 12594 + 12632 Path. Sect.

Inventor Mike Doyle plans a technical marvel of a health museum

By: Lisa Bertagnoli June 13, 2011

Read more: http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20110611/ISSUE03/306119989/inventor-mike-doyle-plans-a-technical-marvel-of-a-health-museum#ixzz1PG54UElj

Letter of the Day: June 14

Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 02331

Subject: A Guide to the Clinical Examination of the Blood.

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

Washington, D.C.. June 14, 1897

To the Surgeon General,
U.S. Army.

Sir:

Referring to your letter of June 12, 1897 I respectfully request that I may be permitted to retain in the library of the Army Medical School the two copies of "A Guide to the Clinical Examination of the Blood," by Cabot. During class work these two volumes will be daily consulted by the Student Officers and in my opinion, therefore, two copies are none too many for use of the class.

Very respectfully,
Walter Reed
Surgeon, U.S. Army
Secretary, Army Medical School.

Letter of the Day: June 13

Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 07571

Surgeon General's Office
U.S. Army Medical Museum and Library
Corner of 7th and B Streets
Washington, June 13, 1904.

1st Lieut. John R. Devereux,
Asst. Surgeon, U.S.A.
Fort Meade, S.D.

Sir:

Replying to your letter of May 30th forwarding specimens of skin scrapings, I have the honor to report the result of the examination as negative. No fungi could be detected in the material after treatment with caustic potash solution nor after staining with a solution of methylene blue.

This report would have been made earlier but for the fact that Your letter was mislaid.

Very respectfully,
James Carroll
1st Lieut. Asst. Surgeon, U.S.A.
Curator, Army Medical Museum.

Letter of the Day: June 12

Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 02331

In reply refer to No. 1532
War Department,
Surgeon General's Office
Washington, June 12, 1897.

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

Sir:

The records of this office show that you have received two (2) copies of "A Guide to the Clinical Examination of the Blood," by Richard C. Cabot, M.D. If you have received two (2) copies of this book, the Surgeon General directs that one (1) copy be sent to this office and the same dropped from your next Return of Medical Property, with suitable remark.

Very respectfully,
C.H. Alden
Assistant Surgeon General, U.S. Army

Letter of the Day: June 11

Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 06762

Surgeon General's Office
U.S. Army Medical Museum and Library
Corner of 7th and B Streets
Washington, June 11, 1903.

Capt. W. F. Clark, 2d Cavy.
Quartermaster,
Fort Myer, Va.

Sir:

Replying to your letter of the 8th inst. in regard to the location of the intake pipe for the water supply at your post I would suggest that you consult Lieut. Col. Alexander M. Miller of the Engineer Corps, whose office is at 2728 Penna. Ave., Washington, D.C. Col Miller has been engaged for some years in the practical study of the water supply of the city of Washington, he is no doubt familiar with the points at which sewage and factory refuse are poured into the Potomac, and could give an expert opinion as to the points from which water could be taken with the least danger of sewage contamination during unusual conditions of flood in the river.

This seems to me to be a matter of vital importance and one that should be decided only by an expert who is familiar with the local conditions.

I have only a hearsay knowledge of your water supply but I shall be very glad to render any assistance in my power, at any time you may see fit to call upon me.

Very respectfully,
James Carroll
1st Lieut. Asst. Surgeon, U.S.A.
Asst. Curator.

Former Museum curator Elgin Cowart's funeral is June 13th

Services for Elgin Cowart's burial are at Arlington National Cemetery at the Post Chapel on Monday, June 13, 2011 at 11:00am.

 

If you are attending a chapel service prior to a funeral, you will no longer be able to drive to the Old Post Chapel or Memorial Chapel on Joint-Base Myer-Henderson Hall (formerly Fort Myer) from Arlington National Cemetery without DoD decals on your vehicle and the appropriate identification (government-issued photo ID, valid driver license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance). All vehicles without DoD decals must enter through JBM-HH Hatfield, Wright or Henderson Hall gates. For more information and directions to JBM-HH gates, please read the new access control policy.

Letter of the Day: June 10

Numbered Correspondence: Curatorial Records 06760

Surgeon General's Office
U.S. Army Medical Museum and Library
Corner of 7th and B Streets
Washington, June 10, 1903.

To the Surgeon General,
U.S. Army

Sir:

In accordance with letter dated Surgeon General's Office June 5, 1903 addressed to the Officer in Charge of the Medical Supply Depot, Washington, D.C. and accompanied by standard samples of bandages, etc., I have the honor to submit the following report of the result of an examination of the samples of sterility:

1. Sublimated gauze.
Portions placed in six bouillon tubes: all sterile.

2. Absorbent cotton.
Portions in sic bouillon tubes: 4 sterile; 2 contaminated.

3. Plain gauze.
Portions in six bouillon tubes: all contaminated.

4. Gauze bandages.
Portions from three bandages in thirteen bouillon tubes: 9 sterile; 4 contaminated.

Very respectfully,
Jams Carroll
1st Lieut. Asst. Surgeon, U.S.A.
Asst. Curator.