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.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Letter of the Day: May 9
Ft. Sanders, WY
May 9th 77
Dr. G.A. Otis, U.S.A.
Dear Dr.
I send to day this the Z.M. Department for the Museum a fine specimen of a Fish - believed to be a "salmon fontinalis". Should there be no fish in the museum please dispose of it to some of your friends at the Smithsonian.
In return for this unusually large specimen I beg to have a reply to the following queries -
(over)
in which several besides myself are interested
1. Is it a true "Salmon fontinalis"? If not please make the distinction?
2. Are there any specimens in the Smithsonian of greater size or weight.
I also invite attention to the fact that Bear Lake in Utah is a feeder of the Bear River + the latter empties into Great Salt Lake. The fish is therefore actually completely landlocked.
I will know soon whether it was caught in the river or lake - merely for sake of precision - I will notify you.
I will esteem it a favor if you will notify my brother of its arrival - his address is State Dept., Washington D.C.
With great regard
Very truly yours
B.A. Clements, U.S.A.
[Enclosed description]
Descriptive Memorandum of Specimen of Fish
The fish this day sent to the Army Museum was taken either in Bear River or Bear Lake Utah. I was shipped from Evanston U.P.R. Road in Laramie City Wyoming, where it was found on sale by me on May 7, 1877. Cleaned of its entrails + gills it weighed - before immersion in alcohol - exactly six pounds.
The color (before placed in alcohol) of the gill cores was a lake red - as if stained. Under the lower jaw a streak of a light brick red color: the spots were uniformly blank: the general color of a silvery grey, with deep red staining on the sides -
(over)
The weight of the entrails + gills is estimated at from 2 to 3 pounds.
B. A. Clements
Maj, U.S.A.
Fort Sanders WYS[?] [Wyoming]
May 9, 1877
May 9th 77
Dr. G.A. Otis, U.S.A.
Dear Dr.
I send to day this the Z.M. Department for the Museum a fine specimen of a Fish - believed to be a "salmon fontinalis". Should there be no fish in the museum please dispose of it to some of your friends at the Smithsonian.
In return for this unusually large specimen I beg to have a reply to the following queries -
(over)
in which several besides myself are interested
1. Is it a true "Salmon fontinalis"? If not please make the distinction?
2. Are there any specimens in the Smithsonian of greater size or weight.
I also invite attention to the fact that Bear Lake in Utah is a feeder of the Bear River + the latter empties into Great Salt Lake. The fish is therefore actually completely landlocked.
I will know soon whether it was caught in the river or lake - merely for sake of precision - I will notify you.
I will esteem it a favor if you will notify my brother of its arrival - his address is State Dept., Washington D.C.
With great regard
Very truly yours
B.A. Clements, U.S.A.
[Enclosed description]
Descriptive Memorandum of Specimen of Fish
The fish this day sent to the Army Museum was taken either in Bear River or Bear Lake Utah. I was shipped from Evanston U.P.R. Road in Laramie City Wyoming, where it was found on sale by me on May 7, 1877. Cleaned of its entrails + gills it weighed - before immersion in alcohol - exactly six pounds.
The color (before placed in alcohol) of the gill cores was a lake red - as if stained. Under the lower jaw a streak of a light brick red color: the spots were uniformly blank: the general color of a silvery grey, with deep red staining on the sides -
(over)
The weight of the entrails + gills is estimated at from 2 to 3 pounds.
B. A. Clements
Maj, U.S.A.
Fort Sanders WYS[?] [Wyoming]
May 9, 1877
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Letter of the Day: May 8
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 04558
War Department,
Surgeon General's Office,
U.S.Army Medical Museum and Library,
Corner of 7th and B Streets S.W.
Washington, May 8, 1900.
The
Hon. William B. Allison,
U.S. Senate,
Chaiman of the Committee on Appropriations.
Sir:
I have the honor to request at your pleasure an audience before the Committee on Appropriations, a sub committee; or a member thereof having charge of the Civil Sundry Bill, with the view of explaining the extreme need of additional shelving for the Medical Library, known as the Surgeon General's.
The Surgeon General of the Army approves this request.
I am, Senator,
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
Alfred A. Woodhull
War Department,
Surgeon General's Office,
U.S.Army Medical Museum and Library,
Corner of 7th and B Streets S.W.
Washington, May 8, 1900.
The
Hon. William B. Allison,
U.S. Senate,
Chaiman of the Committee on Appropriations.
Sir:
I have the honor to request at your pleasure an audience before the Committee on Appropriations, a sub committee; or a member thereof having charge of the Civil Sundry Bill, with the view of explaining the extreme need of additional shelving for the Medical Library, known as the Surgeon General's.
The Surgeon General of the Army approves this request.
I am, Senator,
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
Alfred A. Woodhull
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Letter of the Day: May 7
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 02235
War Department,
Surgeon General's Office,
Washington, May 7, 1897
Lieut. Colonel D.L. Huntington,
Deputy Surgeon General, U.S. Army,
Army Medical Museum.
My dear Colonel:
It is understood that there is at the Museum a Greenleaf's travois with harness complete. If such is the case, the Surgeon General desires that you ship it by express addressed to Lieut. Colonel W. E. Waters, Deputy Surgeon General, U.S. Army, Columbus Barracks, Columbus, Ohio. It is needed for the use of the approaching Military Surgeon's Association, and will be returned to the Museum after the meeting. Expressage both ways to be paid by the Association at Columbus.
If there is none on hand, please telephone me.
Very truly yours,
C.H. Alden
A.S.U.
[handwritten notation]
May 8, 1897, travois with harness and stretcher shipped by Adams Express.
War Department,
Surgeon General's Office,
Washington, May 7, 1897
Lieut. Colonel D.L. Huntington,
Deputy Surgeon General, U.S. Army,
Army Medical Museum.
My dear Colonel:
It is understood that there is at the Museum a Greenleaf's travois with harness complete. If such is the case, the Surgeon General desires that you ship it by express addressed to Lieut. Colonel W. E. Waters, Deputy Surgeon General, U.S. Army, Columbus Barracks, Columbus, Ohio. It is needed for the use of the approaching Military Surgeon's Association, and will be returned to the Museum after the meeting. Expressage both ways to be paid by the Association at Columbus.
If there is none on hand, please telephone me.
Very truly yours,
C.H. Alden
A.S.U.
[handwritten notation]
May 8, 1897, travois with harness and stretcher shipped by Adams Express.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Letter of the Day: May 6 (1 of 2)
[Note: a "gumma" is non-cancerous growth with a necrotic center, resulting from syphilis in the tertiary stage.]
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 03113
May 6, 1898
Surgeon in Charge of Freedmen's Hospital
Washington, DC
Dear Sir:
I beg to inform you that the tumor of mediastinum in the case of J. Chase, colored, contributed by you Dr D.S. Lamb [name noted in pencil] to this Museum on March 28, has been examined under the microscope and proves to be a gumma.
Very respectfully,
Walter Reed
Surgeon, U.S. Army,
Curator.
[Handwritten notation]
Specimen No. 11453 Path. Sect
credit Dr. Lamb
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 03113
May 6, 1898
Surgeon in Charge of Freedmen's Hospital
Washington, DC
Dear Sir:
I beg to inform you that the tumor of mediastinum in the case of J. Chase, colored, contributed by you Dr D.S. Lamb [name noted in pencil] to this Museum on March 28, has been examined under the microscope and proves to be a gumma.
Very respectfully,
Walter Reed
Surgeon, U.S. Army,
Curator.
[Handwritten notation]
Specimen No. 11453 Path. Sect
credit Dr. Lamb
National Library of Medicine Announces Release of "Embryo" App
National Library of Medicine Announces Release of “Embryo” App
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development, Louisiana State University and National Museum of Health & Medicine Collaborate
April 28 2011
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/news/apps_embryo.html
The US National Library of Medicine (NLM), the world largest medical library and a component of the National Institutes of Health, has released "Embryo" (http://itunes.apple.com/app/embryo/id422337604), a new app for the iPhone, iPod Touch and the iPad.
Embryo is a collaborative project between the NLM, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD), the Virtual Human Embryo Project (Louisiana State University/ http://virtualhumanembryo.lsuhsc.edu/) and the National Museum of Health & Medicine's Human Developmental Anatomy Center (http://nmhm.washingtondc.museum/collections/hdac/).
The National Museum of Health & Medicine's Human Developmental Anatomy Center (HDAC) acquires and maintains collections pertaining to general developmental anatomy and neuroanatomy. Scientists and educators have used the National Museum of Health and Medicine's Carnegie Embryo Collection (http://nmhm.washingtondc.museum/collections/hdac/Carnegie_collection.htm) to define normal human embryo development for decades. This archival collection was developed between approximately 1887 to 1956 and focuses on normal development in the first eight weeks. The Virtual Human Embryo database was created to provide digital serial sections of human embryos from the collection.
The Embryo app provides this collection of digital serial sections of early stage human embryos for mobile devices. Features include human fertilization videos, photo micrographs of early-stage embryo development, 2D and 3D digital images using visual stack dissections, and a pregnancy calculator.
Letter of the Day: May 6 (2 of 2)
Leipzig, May 6, 1885
Dear Sir [John Shaw Billings],
I am much obliged to you for the sending of the photographics (sic) of crania. The methods of photographing several heads upon the same plate with scale of measure added appears indeed to be of great interest. I have shown these plates to Dr. Emile Schmidt (formerly in Essen), whose collection, embracing 1300 nos. is to be placed in our institution.
I have myself, I am sorry to say, little time for craniological studies, as all my free time is devoted to embryology, but whenever I can help to promote craniology, I do so with pleasure. With regard to the specimens Prof. Braun (spelling?) has already written to you, I presume, that he had made for you a series of sections, ready to be forwarded, simply waiting for your directions. The sudden death of our dear president Panum has undoubtedly grieved you. He was in the position which he filled with so much conscientiousness, as if made for it and would have assisted you in the organization of the Congress in 1887, with his advice.
Very respectfully
W. His
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Letter of the Day: May 5
Smithsonian Institution,
Washington, D.C., May 5, 1880.
Dear Doctor Otis,
Charles Ruby, Private Co. D, 4th Infantry, Fort Laramie, says that while out between Hat Creek + Red Cloud Agency he passed the spot where the Cheyenne Indians two years ago made their last stand + nearly all were killed. He remarks that their skulls + bones lie scattered in all directions + will soon be lost. The thought occurred to him whether it would not be of interest to have some of these skulls collected.
Having called your attention to this subject, I remain,
Sincerely yours,
SF Baird
Dr Geo. A. Otis
Army Medical Museum.
Washington
Memorandum (written on reverse)
See letter of Dr. Carlos Carvallo, U.S.A., dated May 14, 1880, who states that as soon as possible he will go with a small detail in search of the skulls etc., alluded to within.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
news article: Fort Detrick to oversee Walter Reed closure
Fort Detrick to oversee Walter Reed closure
Originally published May 04, 2011
By Megan Eckstein
News-Post Staff
http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=12069
8
Originally published May 04, 2011
By Megan Eckstein
News-Post Staff
http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=12069
8
Letter of the Day: May 4
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 02230
May 4, 1897
Dr. W.C Gorgas, Asst. Surg., U.S. Army,
Fort Barrancas,
Florida.
Dear Doctor:
Referring to your letter of May 1st, '97, I have to report that the specimen of sputum therein referred to has been examined with the following result: No tubercle bacilli present, but many diplococci are seen which have the shape and staining re-action of the diplococcus lanceolatus, the organism for croupous pneumonia. I do not mean to say that your patient has pneumonia, because this organism is so often met with in the normal saliva of human beings.
Sincerely yours,
Walter Reed
Surgeon, U.S. Army,
Curator.
May 4, 1897
Dr. W.C Gorgas, Asst. Surg., U.S. Army,
Fort Barrancas,
Florida.
Dear Doctor:
Referring to your letter of May 1st, '97, I have to report that the specimen of sputum therein referred to has been examined with the following result: No tubercle bacilli present, but many diplococci are seen which have the shape and staining re-action of the diplococcus lanceolatus, the organism for croupous pneumonia. I do not mean to say that your patient has pneumonia, because this organism is so often met with in the normal saliva of human beings.
Sincerely yours,
Walter Reed
Surgeon, U.S. Army,
Curator.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Letter of the Day: May 3
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 02222
May 3, 1897
Dr. Joe T.D. Howard,
U.S. Indian Service, Green Bay Agency,
Keshena, Wisconsin.
Dear Doctor:
Your letter of April 26th, together with the specimen of discharge from the intestinal canal of a patient, have been referred to me by Surgeon General Sternberg for answer.
A careful microscopic examination of the contents of the bottle has been made for tubercle bacilli but none have been found. It will not be possible to isolate the typhoid bacillus, even if it were present, from this specimen of intestinal discharge. If, however, you will place a small drop of the patient's blood drawn from the lobe of the ear upon a small piece of glass and allow the same to dry, I can, by testing the dry blood decide whether the case is one of typhoid fever or not. If you will, therefore, send me such a specimen I will be glad to have the test made. I may add that the specimen sent by you contains a considerable quantity of a heavy oil, which appears to be the oil of sassafras.
I do not know whether you have added this to the bottle or whether your patient have been taking the oil medicinally.
Sincerely yours,
Walter Reed
Surgeon U.S. Army
Curator
May 3, 1897
Dr. Joe T.D. Howard,
U.S. Indian Service, Green Bay Agency,
Keshena, Wisconsin.
Dear Doctor:
Your letter of April 26th, together with the specimen of discharge from the intestinal canal of a patient, have been referred to me by Surgeon General Sternberg for answer.
A careful microscopic examination of the contents of the bottle has been made for tubercle bacilli but none have been found. It will not be possible to isolate the typhoid bacillus, even if it were present, from this specimen of intestinal discharge. If, however, you will place a small drop of the patient's blood drawn from the lobe of the ear upon a small piece of glass and allow the same to dry, I can, by testing the dry blood decide whether the case is one of typhoid fever or not. If you will, therefore, send me such a specimen I will be glad to have the test made. I may add that the specimen sent by you contains a considerable quantity of a heavy oil, which appears to be the oil of sassafras.
I do not know whether you have added this to the bottle or whether your patient have been taking the oil medicinally.
Sincerely yours,
Walter Reed
Surgeon U.S. Army
Curator
Monday, May 2, 2011
Letter of the Day: May 2
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 03856
Established 1844
Sharp & Smith
Makers and Importers of
Surgical Instruments
Deformity Apparatus, Artificial Limbs,
Artificial Eyes & c.
92 Wabash Ave.
Chicago, May 2, 1899
D. Bache
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
In a recent letter to us you asked us to send you some information regarding Artificial Limbs, either literature or samples of something of old device. We are sorry to report however, that we have thus far been unsuccessful in getting any literature, and have no old styles on hand that we think would be of any service. Should anything come to hand however, that we think would interest you, we will be pleased to notify you of it.
Yours truly,
Sharp & Smith
G.
H.L.P.
Established 1844
Sharp & Smith
Makers and Importers of
Surgical Instruments
Deformity Apparatus, Artificial Limbs,
Artificial Eyes & c.
92 Wabash Ave.
Chicago, May 2, 1899
D. Bache
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
In a recent letter to us you asked us to send you some information regarding Artificial Limbs, either literature or samples of something of old device. We are sorry to report however, that we have thus far been unsuccessful in getting any literature, and have no old styles on hand that we think would be of any service. Should anything come to hand however, that we think would interest you, we will be pleased to notify you of it.
Yours truly,
Sharp & Smith
G.
H.L.P.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Letter of the Day: May 1
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 03853
Subject: Emergency purchases
War Department,
Surgeon General's Office,
U.S. Army Medical Museum and Library,
Corner of 7th and B Streets S.W.
Washington, May 1, 1899.
To the Surgeon General,
U.S. Army.
General:
I have the honor to request authority to purchase for use at the Army Medical Museum laboratory:
Vegetables....$12.00
Meat......1.20
Milk......28
Salt......15
Oats......85
Bran......60
Corn......35
Blood.....75
to be paid for from the Museum Appropriation as emergency purchases.
Very respectfully,
Dallas Bache
Col. & Asst. Surgeon General, U.S.A.
In charge of Museum & Library Division
Subject: Emergency purchases
War Department,
Surgeon General's Office,
U.S. Army Medical Museum and Library,
Corner of 7th and B Streets S.W.
Washington, May 1, 1899.
To the Surgeon General,
U.S. Army.
General:
I have the honor to request authority to purchase for use at the Army Medical Museum laboratory:
Vegetables....$12.00
Meat......1.20
Milk......28
Salt......15
Oats......85
Bran......60
Corn......35
Blood.....75
to be paid for from the Museum Appropriation as emergency purchases.
Very respectfully,
Dallas Bache
Col. & Asst. Surgeon General, U.S.A.
In charge of Museum & Library Division
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Letter of the Day: April 30
[See the previous letter here]
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 03050
April 30, 1898
To the Surgeon Ganeral,
U.S.Army
Sir:
I beg to report that a number of tests of the germicidal value of the speciments of Red Cross soap and sublimate soap (Schieffelin & Co.), have been made with the following results:
A solution of Red Cross soap made by dissolving 3/8 of a cake in one litre of sterilized water destroys staphylococcus pyogenes aureus in two minutes. A solution of the sublimate soap prepared in the same proportion does not destroy aureus in 45 minutes. I believe that the first named soap possesses decided germicidal properties.
Very respectfully,
Walter Reed
Surgeon, U.S. Army,
Curator.
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 03050
April 30, 1898
To the Surgeon Ganeral,
U.S.Army
Sir:
I beg to report that a number of tests of the germicidal value of the speciments of Red Cross soap and sublimate soap (Schieffelin & Co.), have been made with the following results:
A solution of Red Cross soap made by dissolving 3/8 of a cake in one litre of sterilized water destroys staphylococcus pyogenes aureus in two minutes. A solution of the sublimate soap prepared in the same proportion does not destroy aureus in 45 minutes. I believe that the first named soap possesses decided germicidal properties.
Very respectfully,
Walter Reed
Surgeon, U.S. Army,
Curator.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Letter of the Day: April 29
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 02219
War Department,
Washington, April 29, 1897
Orders:
From an examination of the daily time reports of officers and employes [sic] of the Department for the month of February, 1897, the Secretary of War is convinced that the preparation of such reports involves in the aggregate much time and labor which could be more advantageously employed upon current work. Accordingly, the Orders of February 23, 1894, requiring the keeping of daily records of the time of arrival at and departure from their offices of all persons on duty in the several bureaus, etc., are hereby revoked; it being expected that all officers and employes [sic] will observe the obligations of their oath of office to well and faithfully discharge the duties of their office.
R.A. Alger
Secretary of War
F.
War Department,
Washington, April 29, 1897
Orders:
From an examination of the daily time reports of officers and employes [sic] of the Department for the month of February, 1897, the Secretary of War is convinced that the preparation of such reports involves in the aggregate much time and labor which could be more advantageously employed upon current work. Accordingly, the Orders of February 23, 1894, requiring the keeping of daily records of the time of arrival at and departure from their offices of all persons on duty in the several bureaus, etc., are hereby revoked; it being expected that all officers and employes [sic] will observe the obligations of their oath of office to well and faithfully discharge the duties of their office.
R.A. Alger
Secretary of War
F.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Letter of the Day: April 28
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 01441
April 28, 1896
Lieut. R. S. Woodson
Assistant Surgeon U.S. Army,
Fort McIntosh, Texas.
Dear Doctor:
It required the mounting of several slides of the sample of sputum referred to in your letter of April 22, 1896, before we found any tubercle bacilli. On the third slide we were fortunate enough to bring two of them into the field. These appear so characteristic in shape and staining that I am willing to say that there a few tubercle bacilli in the officer's sputum. On account of their very great scarcity, and of the fact that you would not probably again stumble on these two bacilli, I have refrained from sending you the slide.
Upon receipt of this letter I would be obliged to you if you will obtain another sample of the early morning sputum, and let us confirm, if possible, our diagnosis.
I will see what i can do towards preparing for you some bacteriological mounts. If you have not already studied the pathological changes found in tissues under the microscope, I feel like saying that you would not be able to obtain much information from pathological slides. One has to be trained in this particular work. I trust that you appreciate my meaning. I shall be glad at any time to do what I can to promote your microscopical studies.
Very truly yours,
Walter Reed
Surgeon, U.S. Army,
Curator
April 28, 1896
Lieut. R. S. Woodson
Assistant Surgeon U.S. Army,
Fort McIntosh, Texas.
Dear Doctor:
It required the mounting of several slides of the sample of sputum referred to in your letter of April 22, 1896, before we found any tubercle bacilli. On the third slide we were fortunate enough to bring two of them into the field. These appear so characteristic in shape and staining that I am willing to say that there a few tubercle bacilli in the officer's sputum. On account of their very great scarcity, and of the fact that you would not probably again stumble on these two bacilli, I have refrained from sending you the slide.
Upon receipt of this letter I would be obliged to you if you will obtain another sample of the early morning sputum, and let us confirm, if possible, our diagnosis.
I will see what i can do towards preparing for you some bacteriological mounts. If you have not already studied the pathological changes found in tissues under the microscope, I feel like saying that you would not be able to obtain much information from pathological slides. One has to be trained in this particular work. I trust that you appreciate my meaning. I shall be glad at any time to do what I can to promote your microscopical studies.
Very truly yours,
Walter Reed
Surgeon, U.S. Army,
Curator
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Letter of the Day: April 27
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 04523
[Letter 1]
Western Union Telegraph Company
Received at Wyatt Building, Cor. 14th & F. Streets, Washington, D.C.
April 27, 1900
Dated Washin. DC 27 Apr
To Surgeon in Charge. Army Medical Museum
Washington DC
Assistant Secretary of War directs Hospital Steward William Roberts sent Keywest Barracks Florida to report to Commanding officer that post to relieve acting hospital Samuel S. Sharr[?].
Ward Asst Adjt Genl
[Notation in pencil]
Special order 101 apr 30, 1900 Par. 18
[Letter 2]
War Department,
Surgeon General's Office,
U.S. Army Medical Museum and Library,
Corner of 7th and B Streets SW
Washington April 27, 1900., 5.15 p.m.
Telegram
Adjutant General, Army,
Washington.
Order for Steward Roberts to Key West received. Man now sick in quarters; articular rheumatism.
(signed) WOODHULL
In charge Museum.
Official copy by mail.
[Letter 1]
Western Union Telegraph Company
Received at Wyatt Building, Cor. 14th & F. Streets, Washington, D.C.
April 27, 1900
Dated Washin. DC 27 Apr
To Surgeon in Charge. Army Medical Museum
Washington DC
Assistant Secretary of War directs Hospital Steward William Roberts sent Keywest Barracks Florida to report to Commanding officer that post to relieve acting hospital Samuel S. Sharr[?].
Ward Asst Adjt Genl
[Notation in pencil]
Special order 101 apr 30, 1900 Par. 18
[Letter 2]
War Department,
Surgeon General's Office,
U.S. Army Medical Museum and Library,
Corner of 7th and B Streets SW
Washington April 27, 1900., 5.15 p.m.
Telegram
Adjutant General, Army,
Washington.
Order for Steward Roberts to Key West received. Man now sick in quarters; articular rheumatism.
(signed) WOODHULL
In charge Museum.
Official copy by mail.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Letter of the Day: April 26
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 03066
War Department Exhibit,
Trans-Mississippi
and International Exposition,
Omaha.
April 26th, 1898.
Col. Dallas Bache,
Asst. Surgeon General U.S. Army,
Washington, D.C.
Sir:
In reply to yours of the 22nd instant, I respectfully enclose herewith six blank forms of vouchers for use in the payment of bills against the Exposition fund.
All that is required in connection with bills will be to attach bill to voucher and have vouchers signed and filled up as shown by sample voucher enclosed, and then forward them to me for completion and placing in a way for early settlement.
Very respectfully,
Henry C. Ward
Captain 16th U.S. Infantry,
war Department Representative.
War Department Exhibit,
Trans-Mississippi
and International Exposition,
Omaha.
April 26th, 1898.
Col. Dallas Bache,
Asst. Surgeon General U.S. Army,
Washington, D.C.
Sir:
In reply to yours of the 22nd instant, I respectfully enclose herewith six blank forms of vouchers for use in the payment of bills against the Exposition fund.
All that is required in connection with bills will be to attach bill to voucher and have vouchers signed and filled up as shown by sample voucher enclosed, and then forward them to me for completion and placing in a way for early settlement.
Very respectfully,
Henry C. Ward
Captain 16th U.S. Infantry,
war Department Representative.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Letter of the Day: April 25
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 00611
The Warren Anatomical Museum
Boston, Apr. 25, 1895
Maj. Walter Reed:
Surg. U.S. Army:
Curator of the Army Med. Mus.
My dear Sir:
The fine photographs of the skull with osteitis deformans have been received, and will you please accept my thanks for them for the Museum. The process is evidently the same as in the skull in our collection, whatever designation may be given to it. And certainly they are both extremely interesting specimens.
I have also to thank you for calling my attention to formaline as hardening agent, and am using it very extensively. It certainly preserves the color relations of the specimens and their general shape better than alcohol.
I have hardened the specimens in toto in formalin (5%) from 24 hours to several weeks, then then cut the specimens, washed with water and preserved them permanently in 80% alcohol, as from it's higher index it gives a rather more brilliant medium in the jars. In this way have been obtained some beautiful sections of cancer of the liver, tubercular glands, large carbuncles of the neck, tumors, &c.
I use it also entirely for hardening for histological examination in practically the same way, and find that it give fine preparations when stained quite deeply with haemotoxylon (Delafield's) 1/2 hour and afterwards with {new]? Guisen's piczo-fuchsin counter stain- (150 c.c. jot. vol. acid piczo, 3 cc sah. vol acid fuchsin) 3 to 5 minutes.
Hoping that you will always bear me in mind if anything new of value comes up in the way of preserving specimens. I remain
Yours very very truly
W.F. Whitney
Curator
The Warren Anatomical Museum
Boston, Apr. 25, 1895
Maj. Walter Reed:
Surg. U.S. Army:
Curator of the Army Med. Mus.
My dear Sir:
The fine photographs of the skull with osteitis deformans have been received, and will you please accept my thanks for them for the Museum. The process is evidently the same as in the skull in our collection, whatever designation may be given to it. And certainly they are both extremely interesting specimens.
I have also to thank you for calling my attention to formaline as hardening agent, and am using it very extensively. It certainly preserves the color relations of the specimens and their general shape better than alcohol.
I have hardened the specimens in toto in formalin (5%) from 24 hours to several weeks, then then cut the specimens, washed with water and preserved them permanently in 80% alcohol, as from it's higher index it gives a rather more brilliant medium in the jars. In this way have been obtained some beautiful sections of cancer of the liver, tubercular glands, large carbuncles of the neck, tumors, &c.
I use it also entirely for hardening for histological examination in practically the same way, and find that it give fine preparations when stained quite deeply with haemotoxylon (Delafield's) 1/2 hour and afterwards with {new]? Guisen's piczo-fuchsin counter stain- (150 c.c. jot. vol. acid piczo, 3 cc sah. vol acid fuchsin) 3 to 5 minutes.
Hoping that you will always bear me in mind if anything new of value comes up in the way of preserving specimens. I remain
Yours very very truly
W.F. Whitney
Curator
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Letter of the Day: April 24
Copy
Quiniault, W.T. April 24, 1888.
Dear Sir:-
Your letter dated February 29th, with one from Doctor John S. Billings, U.S.A. was handed me by Captain Willoughby, then agent at this place.
In answer to the same I am sorry to be compelled to state that, up to the present time, I have been unable to procure a single skeleton, or anything of the kind, and am of the opinion, owing to the great superstition entertained by the natives, and the sacredness with which they hold the memory of the departed spirit, that it will be impossible to secure anything of the kind except by clandestinely robbing the graves. I will continue in my efforts to accomodate Gen. Billings, and will report to you the same.
Very truly,
[signed] Geo. W. Haymi,
Physician, Agency.
Quiniault, W.T. April 24, 1888.
Dear Sir:-
Your letter dated February 29th, with one from Doctor John S. Billings, U.S.A. was handed me by Captain Willoughby, then agent at this place.
In answer to the same I am sorry to be compelled to state that, up to the present time, I have been unable to procure a single skeleton, or anything of the kind, and am of the opinion, owing to the great superstition entertained by the natives, and the sacredness with which they hold the memory of the departed spirit, that it will be impossible to secure anything of the kind except by clandestinely robbing the graves. I will continue in my efforts to accomodate Gen. Billings, and will report to you the same.
Very truly,
[signed] Geo. W. Haymi,
Physician, Agency.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Letter of the Day: April 23
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 02203
April 23, 1897.
Mr. Henry C. Mansfield, D.D.S.
Jefferson, Wis.
Dear Sir:
Your letter of the 21st instant, has been received. I shall always be glad to receive for deposit in the Museum contributions showing advance in dentistry, and you may send them in the same manner as heretofore, freight charges to be paid here. Your suggestion that dentists, before destroying their original plaster moulds of interesting cases, might save duplicates for this Museum, is a very good one, but my experience is that the busy practitioner rarely thinks that he can spare time for such work. I shall be pleased to receive the casts in the case of the cleft palate mentioned by you.
I have not the name or address of the "New York dentist that has gotten up a special mould" nor have I access to the "New Ideas" published in Philadelphia and can, therefore, be of no assistance to you in this matter.
Very respectfully,
D.L. Huntington
Deputy Surgeon General, U.S. Army,
In charge of Museum and Library Division
April 23, 1897.
Mr. Henry C. Mansfield, D.D.S.
Jefferson, Wis.
Dear Sir:
Your letter of the 21st instant, has been received. I shall always be glad to receive for deposit in the Museum contributions showing advance in dentistry, and you may send them in the same manner as heretofore, freight charges to be paid here. Your suggestion that dentists, before destroying their original plaster moulds of interesting cases, might save duplicates for this Museum, is a very good one, but my experience is that the busy practitioner rarely thinks that he can spare time for such work. I shall be pleased to receive the casts in the case of the cleft palate mentioned by you.
I have not the name or address of the "New York dentist that has gotten up a special mould" nor have I access to the "New Ideas" published in Philadelphia and can, therefore, be of no assistance to you in this matter.
Very respectfully,
D.L. Huntington
Deputy Surgeon General, U.S. Army,
In charge of Museum and Library Division
Friday, April 22, 2011
Letter of the Day: April 22
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 03066
April 22, 1898
Capt. Henry C. Ward, 16th U.S. Infantry,
War Department Representative,
Omaha, Neb.
Sir:
The Army Medical Museum Exhibit will be ready for shipment on or about the 28th of this month, when it will be turned over to Col. Humphries, Deputy Qr. Mr. Genl. for shipment. As I presume that you have a special form of vouchers for payment of bills from the Exposition fund, I shall be pleased to receive about six (6) blank forms with such instructions to fill them out properly, as you deem necessary.
Very respectfully,
Dallas Bache
Col. & Asst. Surgeon General, U.S.A.
In charge of Museum and Library Division
April 22, 1898
Capt. Henry C. Ward, 16th U.S. Infantry,
War Department Representative,
Omaha, Neb.
Sir:
The Army Medical Museum Exhibit will be ready for shipment on or about the 28th of this month, when it will be turned over to Col. Humphries, Deputy Qr. Mr. Genl. for shipment. As I presume that you have a special form of vouchers for payment of bills from the Exposition fund, I shall be pleased to receive about six (6) blank forms with such instructions to fill them out properly, as you deem necessary.
Very respectfully,
Dallas Bache
Col. & Asst. Surgeon General, U.S.A.
In charge of Museum and Library Division
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Addition to Walter Reed Army Medical Center History Collection (OHA 355)
9 scrapbooks from the Army Community Service at Walter Reed with photographs of volunteers at the hospital and clippings on their activities came through the door yesterday. They cover from 1965 to 2005. They’ll be available as part of the WRAMC History Collection after the move is completed in the fall.
Letter of the Day: April 21 (2 of 2)
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 07458
War Department
Office of the Surgeon General,
Army Medical Museum and Library,
Washington.
April 21, 1904.
Mr. Geo. L. Nicholas
Veterinarian
Nazareth, Pa.
Dear Sir:
Your letter of the 13th inst. to the National Museum, offering for sale a mounted calf with 2 heads, 4 eyes, 2 ears, 2 front legs, and 4 hind legs, has been referred to this institution, and in reply I wish to say that the Army Medical Museum does not desire the specimen.
Very respectfully,
C.L. Heizmann
Col. Asst, Surgeon General, U.S.A.
In charge of Museum and Library Division
War Department
Office of the Surgeon General,
Army Medical Museum and Library,
Washington.
April 21, 1904.
Mr. Geo. L. Nicholas
Veterinarian
Nazareth, Pa.
Dear Sir:
Your letter of the 13th inst. to the National Museum, offering for sale a mounted calf with 2 heads, 4 eyes, 2 ears, 2 front legs, and 4 hind legs, has been referred to this institution, and in reply I wish to say that the Army Medical Museum does not desire the specimen.
Very respectfully,
C.L. Heizmann
Col. Asst, Surgeon General, U.S.A.
In charge of Museum and Library Division
Letter of the Day: April 21 (1 of 2)
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 07459
War Department
Office of the Surgeon General,
Army Medical Museum and Library,
Washington.
April 21, 1904.
Mr. Fred Goodwin,
Titusville, Fla.
Dear Sir:
Your letter of the 14th inst. to the General Manager Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., offering for sale a dog with three legs and a short nub of a fourth leg, has been referred to this Institution, and in reply I wish to say that the Army Medical Museum does not desire the specimen.
Very respectfully,
C.L. Heizmann
Col. Asst, Surgeon General, U.S.A.
In charge of Museum and Library Division
War Department
Office of the Surgeon General,
Army Medical Museum and Library,
Washington.
April 21, 1904.
Mr. Fred Goodwin,
Titusville, Fla.
Dear Sir:
Your letter of the 14th inst. to the General Manager Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., offering for sale a dog with three legs and a short nub of a fourth leg, has been referred to this Institution, and in reply I wish to say that the Army Medical Museum does not desire the specimen.
Very respectfully,
C.L. Heizmann
Col. Asst, Surgeon General, U.S.A.
In charge of Museum and Library Division
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Museum move begins
A contract for dismantling the exhibits and prepping the space for the move was granted this week, so yesterday Archives staff was working with Artex to move new material. As the AFIP closes, many departments transferred their photographic collections or historical books or other material to the Archives. We’ve filled about 20 pallets of material, and moved half of that to our existing warehouse yesterday – about 20,000 pounds of it. It should be the same today. The material will stay on pallets until it can be unpacked and arranged and processed in our new warehouse space.
Letter of the Day: April 20
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 02183
April 20, 1897.
Captain W.C. Gorgas, Asst. Surgeon, U.S.A.
Fort Barrancas, Florida,
My Dear Doctor:
Referring to your letter of April 10, 1897, I beg to say that a microscopic examination of the small piece of tumor sent by you proves it to be epithelioma.
Very sincerely yours,
Walter Reed,
Surgeon, U.S. Army,
Curator
April 20, 1897.
Captain W.C. Gorgas, Asst. Surgeon, U.S.A.
Fort Barrancas, Florida,
My Dear Doctor:
Referring to your letter of April 10, 1897, I beg to say that a microscopic examination of the small piece of tumor sent by you proves it to be epithelioma.
Very sincerely yours,
Walter Reed,
Surgeon, U.S. Army,
Curator
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Contributed photograph 1164
>
Contributed Photograph 1164
TINEKER, SAMUEL T.
EXCISION OF HEAD AND 3 INCHES OF SHAFT OF HUMERUS.
PVT, Company D 14th INDIANA VOLUNTEERS
Battle of the WILDERNESS, 6 MAY 1864
Dr JC MCKEE, LINCOLN GENERAL HOSPITAL, WASHINGTON, D.C.
See also SP 146
BOUND IN LINCOLN, VOL. 2. HISTORY ON VERSO. TINTED.
CIVIL WAR
Contributed Photograph 1164
TINEKER, SAMUEL T.
EXCISION OF HEAD AND 3 INCHES OF SHAFT OF HUMERUS.
PVT, Company D 14th INDIANA VOLUNTEERS
Battle of the WILDERNESS, 6 MAY 1864
Dr JC MCKEE, LINCOLN GENERAL HOSPITAL, WASHINGTON, D.C.
See also SP 146
BOUND IN LINCOLN, VOL. 2. HISTORY ON VERSO. TINTED.
CIVIL WAR
Letter of the Day: April 19
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 02197
April 19, 1897
Dr. A. H. Davidson,
Cuero, Texas
Dear Sir:
Your letter of the 5th instant, to the Surgeon General, U. S. Army has been referred to me for answer. The statistics of anaesthesia in the Federal army during the late war will be found on p.891 &c. of the 3rd Surgical Volume of the Medical and Surgical History of the War. Anaesthetics were employed in no less than 80.000 cases; in 76.2% the agent was chloroform, in 14.7% ether, and in 9.1% a mixture if ether and chloroform. Thirty-seven (37) cases of deaths from chloroform were reported and four (4) from ether.
There is no report of the Hyderabad Chloroform Commission in the Library. We have a report of the second Hyderabad Commission, which was published at Bombay in 1891, but it is one of the books which are not usually loaned from the Library.
Very truly yours,
D.L. Huntington
Deputy Surgeon General, U.S. Army,
In charge of Museum and Library Division
April 19, 1897
Dr. A. H. Davidson,
Cuero, Texas
Dear Sir:
Your letter of the 5th instant, to the Surgeon General, U. S. Army has been referred to me for answer. The statistics of anaesthesia in the Federal army during the late war will be found on p.891 &c. of the 3rd Surgical Volume of the Medical and Surgical History of the War. Anaesthetics were employed in no less than 80.000 cases; in 76.2% the agent was chloroform, in 14.7% ether, and in 9.1% a mixture if ether and chloroform. Thirty-seven (37) cases of deaths from chloroform were reported and four (4) from ether.
There is no report of the Hyderabad Chloroform Commission in the Library. We have a report of the second Hyderabad Commission, which was published at Bombay in 1891, but it is one of the books which are not usually loaned from the Library.
Very truly yours,
D.L. Huntington
Deputy Surgeon General, U.S. Army,
In charge of Museum and Library Division
Monday, April 18, 2011
Letter of the Day: April 18
Camp Apache A.T. [Arizona Territory]
18 April 1871
Brig. Gen'l. J.K. Barnes
Surgeon General U.S. Army
General
I have the honor to transmit to you by this mail; one pack of Apache playing cards. Hoping the will be acceptable I am Sir
Very Respectfully
Your Obt Servt
Milan Soule
Act. Asst. Surg. U.S.A.
[If you are curious about Apache playing cards, check out Virginia and Harold Wayland's Playing Cards of the Apaches: A Study in Cultural Adaptation.]
Image
18 April 1871
Brig. Gen'l. J.K. Barnes
Surgeon General U.S. Army
General
I have the honor to transmit to you by this mail; one pack of Apache playing cards. Hoping the will be acceptable I am Sir
Very Respectfully
Your Obt Servt
Milan Soule
Act. Asst. Surg. U.S.A.
[If you are curious about Apache playing cards, check out Virginia and Harold Wayland's Playing Cards of the Apaches: A Study in Cultural Adaptation.]
Image
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Letter of the Day: April 17
Copy.
Colombo, Ceylon,
April 17, 1895.
The Director of the Ethnological Museum,
Washington, D.C., U.S.A.
Sir:-
I beg to enquire whether you would wish to secure the skull of a Veddah, a race of people inhabiting the wilder regions of this Island, but fast dying out and believed by scientists to be the *missing link* in the Darwinian system of the descent of man. These skulls have been eagerly sought after for the German Museum. I shall be glad to forward one to you on receiving a remittance of its price £ 20. which will cover freight, insurance and other charges from this to New York.
I can also supply you with other specimens of the Natural and industrial products of this Island for your Museum.
I am, Sir,
Yours truly,
(Signed) Chas. Stouter.
Colombo, Ceylon,
April 17, 1895.
The Director of the Ethnological Museum,
Washington, D.C., U.S.A.
Sir:-
I beg to enquire whether you would wish to secure the skull of a Veddah, a race of people inhabiting the wilder regions of this Island, but fast dying out and believed by scientists to be the *missing link* in the Darwinian system of the descent of man. These skulls have been eagerly sought after for the German Museum. I shall be glad to forward one to you on receiving a remittance of its price £ 20. which will cover freight, insurance and other charges from this to New York.
I can also supply you with other specimens of the Natural and industrial products of this Island for your Museum.
I am, Sir,
Yours truly,
(Signed) Chas. Stouter.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Letter of the Day: April 16
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 02190
April 16, 1897
Dr. J.H. Huddleston,
Health Department, Criminal Court Building,
New York, N.Y.
Dear Sir:
Referring to your letter of the 14th instant, to the Surgeon General, U.S. Army, asking whether trial of vaccine virus sent on March 28th, had been made, if you have any suspicion or evidence that the efficacy of the virus has been impaired, please inform me at once, as I am about to make a trial of this virus on small children during the coming week.
Very truly yours,
Walter Reed
Surgeon, U.S. Army,
Curator.
April 16, 1897
Dr. J.H. Huddleston,
Health Department, Criminal Court Building,
New York, N.Y.
Dear Sir:
Referring to your letter of the 14th instant, to the Surgeon General, U.S. Army, asking whether trial of vaccine virus sent on March 28th, had been made, if you have any suspicion or evidence that the efficacy of the virus has been impaired, please inform me at once, as I am about to make a trial of this virus on small children during the coming week.
Very truly yours,
Walter Reed
Surgeon, U.S. Army,
Curator.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Letter of the Day: April 15 (part 2)
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 07453
Copy
Pensacola, Fla
April 15, 1904
Surgeon General USA
Washington DC
Sir
I have the honor to inform you that I have forwarded to you by this mail for the Army Medical Museum a specimen of intestinal parasite, unknown to me and those of my confreres to whom it has been shown. I would be greatly pleased if you will kindly have your experts give me its name, method of infection, and whatever information they may have concerning this parasite, and can conveniently give. I have examined a number of medical books without result.
The following is a history of the case:
Mrs X, white, age about 35, weight about 180lbs, believed herself pregnant for the past two or three months. Had enlarged abdomen and thought she felt life. Was examined by two physicians who could not find any sign of pregnancy. A few days ago she began to suffer with cramps and profuse diarrhoea and passed an intestinal parasite after which the symptoms began to gradually subside. From the sensation of passing this parasite she is under the impression that she passed others; but as the defecation took place at night, the fecal matter was disposed of before it could be examined.
Very respectfully
(signed) W.A.J. Pollock M.D.
Room 412 Thiesen Building
Copy
Pensacola, Fla
April 15, 1904
Surgeon General USA
Washington DC
Sir
I have the honor to inform you that I have forwarded to you by this mail for the Army Medical Museum a specimen of intestinal parasite, unknown to me and those of my confreres to whom it has been shown. I would be greatly pleased if you will kindly have your experts give me its name, method of infection, and whatever information they may have concerning this parasite, and can conveniently give. I have examined a number of medical books without result.
The following is a history of the case:
Mrs X, white, age about 35, weight about 180lbs, believed herself pregnant for the past two or three months. Had enlarged abdomen and thought she felt life. Was examined by two physicians who could not find any sign of pregnancy. A few days ago she began to suffer with cramps and profuse diarrhoea and passed an intestinal parasite after which the symptoms began to gradually subside. From the sensation of passing this parasite she is under the impression that she passed others; but as the defecation took place at night, the fecal matter was disposed of before it could be examined.
Very respectfully
(signed) W.A.J. Pollock M.D.
Room 412 Thiesen Building
Letter of the Day: April 15
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 03050
Subject:
War Department
Surgeon General's Office,
Washington, April 15, 1898
Major Walter Reed,
Surgeon, U.S. Army,
Curator, Army Medical Museum,
Washington.
Sir:
By direction of the Surgeon General, I sen you herewith, three (3) cakes of Red Cross Soap, manufactured by Johnson & Johnson, New Brunswick, N.J., for report as to its germicidal value.
Very respectfully,
CH Alden
Assistant Surgeon General, U.S. Army
Subject:
War Department
Surgeon General's Office,
Washington, April 15, 1898
Major Walter Reed,
Surgeon, U.S. Army,
Curator, Army Medical Museum,
Washington.
Sir:
By direction of the Surgeon General, I sen you herewith, three (3) cakes of Red Cross Soap, manufactured by Johnson & Johnson, New Brunswick, N.J., for report as to its germicidal value.
Very respectfully,
CH Alden
Assistant Surgeon General, U.S. Army
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Letter of the Day: April 14
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 09429
War Department,
Office of the Surgeon General,
Army Medical Museum and Library,
Washington.
April 14, 1906.
To the Surgeon General,
U.S. Army.
Sir:
I have the honor to request authority to purchase for deposit in the Army Medical Museum the following busts of Medical and other Scientific men:
Aesculapius, est cost...$5.00
Agassiz""...5.00
Darwin, Chas""...5.00
Galen""...7.00
Huxley""...7.50
Holmes, Oliver W. est. cost 8.00
Linnaeus, est. cost...5.00
to be paid for from the Museum appropriation.
Very respectfully,
C.L. Heizmann
Col. Asst. Surgeon General, U.S.A.
In charge of Museum & Library Division.
War Department,
Office of the Surgeon General,
Army Medical Museum and Library,
Washington.
April 14, 1906.
To the Surgeon General,
U.S. Army.
Sir:
I have the honor to request authority to purchase for deposit in the Army Medical Museum the following busts of Medical and other Scientific men:
Aesculapius, est cost...$5.00
Agassiz""...5.00
Darwin, Chas""...5.00
Galen""...7.00
Huxley""...7.50
Holmes, Oliver W. est. cost 8.00
Linnaeus, est. cost...5.00
to be paid for from the Museum appropriation.
Very respectfully,
C.L. Heizmann
Col. Asst. Surgeon General, U.S.A.
In charge of Museum & Library Division.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
UMBC- Memorial photography exhibit opens tomorrow
Stanley Burns will be speaking tomorrow at 4 PM at Catonsville- Albin O
Kuhn Gallery and Library University of Maryland Baltimore County at the
opening of his memorial photography exhibit.
Kuhn Gallery and Library University of Maryland Baltimore County at the
opening of his memorial photography exhibit.
Sleeping Beauties: Memorial Photographs from the Burns Collection
One of the defining images in this exhibition is the tintype of a father
lovingly holding an uncomfortable looking child. The father is
well-dressed and has an air of invincibility that is undermined only by
outsized, swollen fingers. His one hand rests demonstratively on his
knee and the other in a claw-like position distended beyond his son's
clothing rather than affectionately clasping the child. The image does
not cry out that either father or son is deceased, but the father's
fingers are so unnatural that one soon realizes that he is dead. This
portrait, likely the only one ever made of the two together, emphasizes
familial relationship and love as motivations behind the image. In
varying degrees, love, relationships, and grieving more than death, are
the central characteristics of this exhibition.
Another characteristic of the show, also as represented by the portrait
of the father and son, is the changing technology of photography. The
portrait is a tintype, a relatively affordable process in 1875 when the
image was made. Represented in the exhibition are various tintypes, but
also a whole spectrum of photographic processes from the 1840s to the
2000s, including daguerreotypes, ambrotypes, albumen prints, cartes de
visite, cabinet cards, silver gelatin prints, and digitally generated
permanent pigment prints. The exhibition is a veritable history of
photography as seen through memorial photographs. Revealed is that the
look of death has not changed over time, only the way that it is
represented.
The show is organized by themes, including "Adults," "Children,"
"Sleep," "Family and Rituals," "Remembrances," "Images with Images,"
"Eyes Open," and "Decorative Displays." Each section is sequenced
historically to tell a story about the topic from the earliest to the
latest images. The father and son portrait, for example, is in the
section labeled "Adults," because it is the father who is deceased. The
section on "Children" tugs at one's heartstrings so much perhaps because
the images show cute, vulnerable little ones full of human potential not
to be realized. The "Sleep" section shows attempts to make the dead
look like they just happen to be napping. (In the nineteenth century,
death was frequently described as "the long last sleep.") Images of the
spent bodies of children with their eyes closed promote the illusion of
sleep as the children are laid out so naturally in carriages or on beds.
Additional sequences include the "Family and Rituals" section which
shows immediate and extended family members posed with the deceased,
usually in their coffins. These images, of course, would be the last
photographs of the family all together. The "Remembrances" section
includes memorial poem cabinet cards (sometimes with photographs on
them) and memorial ceramic photographs often used on memorial markers.
The Images with Images" section shows photographs with images of a
deceased one in them, or photographs with images associated with someone
who is deceased. This section will fascinate iconologist's, because the
images surrounding those of the dead often comment on and have
especially telling relationships to the dead. The "Eyes Open" section
highlights images that attempt to make the dead look natural and
somewhat as they did in life. Finally, there is the "Decorative
Displays" section which shows photographs of memorial centerpieces that
represent a way of setting off an image or expressing a reverence for
the deceased. Some decorative displays images are commercial, such as
the one for Abraham Lincoln. The imagery was intended for public
consumption for viewing in one's parlor. Others, such as "Tower of
Silence," were intended to be sold to tourists as they visited monuments
to the dead. Finally there were those with the words "Pater," or
"Sister" which were for personal and family purposes.
Photographs have three lives. The first life is the immediate purpose
for which the image was made. In the case of memorial photographs, the
image provides a record of the deceased, a way to express love and
relationship for that person, and to serve as part of the grieving
process. The second life of a photograph is as recent past nostalgia.
Friends and family can look back over time and remember the deceased as
well as good times that were had together. The third (and perhaps the
most important life) is as a communication over the generations. Long
after there is no one alive who remembers the deceased, memorial images
communicate to viewers that the person lived and was regarded highly
enough in life that people wished to remember them after death. Also
memorial images teach succeeding generations that all humanity is
related to each other and are the same in death. Perhaps most of all,
memorial photographs confer upon the dead a kind of immortality. Long
after they are gone, the deceased continue to live on in images. This
exhibition is about all of these things.
Tom Beck
Chief Curator
Walt Whitman's Civil War Soldiers at the NMHM
Walt Whitman
Image Courtesy of the Library of Congress
On April 12th, the 150th anniversay of the start of the Civil War, the National Archives announced the discovery of almost 3,000 pieces written by the poet Walt Whiman. Whitman, "a journalist, poet and essayist...[was]...perhaps best known for capturing the haunted pageantry of the Civil War in his work 'Drum-Taps'." You can read news of the discovery online at the Washington Post.
But what became of Whitman's wounded boys, the young soldiers he captured in Specimen Days? For some, their stories are documented online at: "Walt Whitman’s Soldiers: A National Museum of Health and Medicine Online Exhibit." Anatomical specimens and medical documentation of patients that Whitman immortalized remain in the collection of the NMHM, such as that of Private Oscar Cunningham:
“…the noblest specimen of a young western man…” On May 2nd, 1863, during the battle of Chancellorsville, Private Cunningham, 82nd Ohio, received a gunshot wound to the right thigh that resulted in a compound fracture of the thigh. The bullet was extracted at Armory Square Hospital on June 15th. Extensive abscesses formed following the procedure, and on May 2nd, 1864, Cunningham’s leg was amputated. Although Bliss had hope for a successful outcome when he submitted the specimen to the Army Medical Museum on May 5th, Cunningham died on June 5th, 1864. Whitman, who cared for Cunningham, described the young man in a letter to his mother. "I have just left Oscar Cunningham, the Ohio boy—he is in a dying condition—there is no hope for him—it would draw tears from the hardest heart to look at him--his is all wasted away to a skeleton, & looks like some one fifty years old—you remember I told you a year ago, when he was first brought in, I thought him the noblest specimen of a young western man I had seen, a real giant in size, & always with a smile on his face—O what a change, he has long been very irritable, to every one but me, & his frame is all wasted away." Cunningham died on June 4, 1864, one month after Bliss had hoped that Cunningham might survive his amputation. Cunningham was one of the first soldiers to be buried in the new Arlington National Cemetery."
Letter of the Day: April 13
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 09427
War Department
Office of the Surgeon General,
Army Medical Museum and Library,
Washington.
April 13, 1906
Dr. D. J. Healy, Anatomist,
Army Medical Museum.
Sir:
Referring to your verbal report of this afternoon that Landsberg was observed sleeping in the Museum Hall, you are requested to submit a report in writing, stating the time at which the observation was made, how long the sleeping continued, and any circumstances bearing upon it.
Very respectfully,
James Carroll
1st Lieut., Asst. Surgeon, U.S.A.
Curator, Army Medical Museum.
War Department
Office of the Surgeon General,
Army Medical Museum and Library,
Washington.
April 13, 1906
Dr. D. J. Healy, Anatomist,
Army Medical Museum.
Sir:
Referring to your verbal report of this afternoon that Landsberg was observed sleeping in the Museum Hall, you are requested to submit a report in writing, stating the time at which the observation was made, how long the sleeping continued, and any circumstances bearing upon it.
Very respectfully,
James Carroll
1st Lieut., Asst. Surgeon, U.S.A.
Curator, Army Medical Museum.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Letter of the Day: April 12
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 05157
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.
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
http://www.lukejerram.com/projects/glass_microbiology
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.
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.
Letter of the Day: April 11
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 05863
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
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
Curatorial Records: Numbered Correspondence 02183
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.
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.
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