An unofficial blog about the National Museum of Health and Medicine (nee the Army Medical Museum) in Silver Spring, MD. Visit for news about the museum, new projects, musing on the history of medicine and neat pictures.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Letter of the Day: June 10
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.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Articial kidney machine in Museum duplicated by students
Engineering students look to the past to learn about the future |
Preston Moretz June 8, 2011 http://www.temple.edu/newsroom/2010_2011/06/stories/Temple_students_kidney_dialysis_machine.htm |
Letter of the Day: June 9
Surgeon General's Office
U.S. Army Medical Museum and Library
Corner of 7th and B Streets
Washington, June 9, 1903.
To the Surgeon General,
U.S. Army.
(Through the President of the Faculty, Army Medical School).
Sir:
In order to obtain the necessary material for class purposes at the Army Medical School I have the honor to ask the the Surgeons at Fort Myer, Va., Washington Barracks, D.C., and the U.S. Soldiers' Home, Washington, D.C., be requested to notify me by telephone whenever a case of malaria presents in which the parasites are found in teh blood. Upon receipt of such notification a man will be sent at once to prepare cover-glass smears for preparation.
Very respectfully,
James Carroll
1st Lieut. Asst. Surgeon, U.S.A.
Asst. Curator.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
New issue of "Grog View" about Navy history of medicine
now -
Got Grog? http://issuu.com/thegrogration/docs/the_grog_spring_2011
It includes an article about the Naval Hospital in Yokohama, Japan, that
was damaged in an earthquake in 1923 and a good article on Presidential
health and Navy physicians.
Letter of the Day: June 8
Hoagland Laboratory,
Department of Bacteriology
E.H. Wilson, M.D., Director.
R.B. Fitz-Randolph, A.C., Associate Director
Dear doctor Reed:
We have bred our guinea pigs in our animal room so long that i cannot quote prices to you, but if you will communicate with Jas. T. Dougherty, #409 West 59th. Street, N.Y., he will give you all the information you desire and furnish you with the animals.
I have telephoned him about the matter, and he will expect to hear from you. I wish I could go to Cuba with you, but it is too hot.
Regards to Dr. Carroll.
Sincerely yours,
E.H. Wilson
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Letter of the Day: June 7
Surgeon General's Office
U.S. Army Medical Museum and Library
Corner of 7th and B Streets
Washington, June 7, 1904.
Captain Carl. R. Darnall,
Asst. Surgeon, U.S.A.
In charge of Field Medical Supply Depot.
Sir:
I have the honor to invite your attention to the unsatisfactory work of the Forbes Sterilizing apparatus which was operated to-day in order to exhibit its workings of Dr. Childs of England.
Two burners were used, one of them entirely new, and both appeared to be defective; with constant pumping one hour elapsed before any water was delivered. After running forty minutes the quantity of water delivered was only about two and one half gallons.
Very respectfully,
James Carroll
1st. Lieut. Asst. Surgeon, U.S.A.
Curator, Army medical Museum
Monday, June 6, 2011
New World War I finding aid online
Museum intern Sara Gonzales wrote a finding aid for OHA 97 Angier and Hitchcock Collection about World War Reconstruction Aides which is at the NMHM website here: http://nmhm.washingtondc.museum/collections/archives/asearch/afinding_aids/hitchcock/angier_hitchcock.html
Many other finding aids are online here: http://nmhm.washingtondc.museum/collections/archives/asearch/afinding_aids/afinding_aids.html
Letter of the Day: June 6
War Department,
Office of the Surgeon General,
Army medical Museum and Library,
Washington.
June 6, 1905.
Dr. Arthur A. Snyder
1207 Connecticut Avenue
Washington, DC
Dear Dr. Snyder:
I write to ask if you will not kindly favor me with a copy of your report of the case of Hodgkin's disease that died at Garfield Hospital about ten years ago. I am sure I have heard you say that you published it but I cannot find any reference to a case published under your name in our catalogue. If you cannot give me the paper will you not give me the reference so that I can get it in the original.
I am also very anxious to have a photograph of the case for reproduction because I find it is one of very great interest in view of our present knowledge upon this subject.
Trusting you will not find it inconvenient to grant my request, believe me,
Yours very sincerely,
James Carroll
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Letter of the Day: June 5
War Department
Office of the Surgeon General,
Army Medical Museum and Library,
Washington
June 5, 1905.
Dr. W. M. L. Coplin,
Jefferson medical College,
Philadelphia, Pa.
Dear Sir:
I am directed by the Surgeon General to express his thanks for the specimen of pancreas, showing hemorrhagic and fat necrosis, received by you on the 1st inst. It will be added to the collection with a properly inscribed card.
Will you have the further kindness to furnish the Museum with its history?
Very respectfully,
C. L. Heizmann
Col. & Asst. Surgeon General, U.S.A
In charge of Museum and Library Division
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Letter of the Day: June 4
Surgeon General's Office
U.S. Army Medical Museum and Library
Corner of 7th and B Streets
Washington, June 4, 1904.
Major W. F. Lippett
Surgeon, U.S. Army, Military Hospital
San Juan, P.R.
Sir:
Referring to the tumor from the inguinal region forwarded with your letter of May 24th, I have the honor to report that a microscopical examination shows the conditioned present to be one of chronic suppurative inflammation. The glands consist almost entirely of typical granulation tissue, very rich in fibroblasts and showing numerous newly formed bloodvessels [sic]. The inflammatory element is shown by the presence of numerous polymorphonuclear leukocytes and several small healing foci of suppuration. In one place the leukocytes can be seen to be emigrating freely through the wall of a blood vessel. There is no evidence of tuberculosis.
Very respectfully,
James Carroll
1st Lieut. Asst. Surgeon, U.S.A.
Curator, Army medical Museum
Friday, June 3, 2011
Letter of the Day: June 3
Rejection of Candidate
June 3, 1898
To the Surgeon General
U.S. Army
Sir:
I have the honor to inform you that Dr. George E. Plummer, of Key West, Fla., was rejected by the Board yesterday for physical disqualifications. This applicant was examined by Asst. Surgeon, P. Clendenin, May 30, and accepted; the only note upon physical record being "slender but wiry". In addition to deficient physique which the Board noted upon examining the record, and as to which it made a reservation at the time, there was a marked vericosity of the veins of both legs, extending above the knees, a most unpromising condition as to future usefulness. had they been recorded originally, that candidate would have been spared the expense of the journey and attendance.
The Board suggests that Medical Examiners be cautioned to note all defects, so that the Board may have all possible data for careful judgment. It is plain from this example that the preliminary physical examination can be advisory only, and not binding upon the board.
Very respectfully,
Dallas Bache
Col. & Asst. Surgeon, U.S. Army
President of the Board
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Letter of the Day: June 2
June 2, 1897
Capt. D.F. Boughton
Troop B, 3rd Cavalry
Jefferson Barracks, Mo.
Dear Sir:
I beg to acknowledge the receipt through Major J. B. Girard, Surgeon, U.S. Army, of a Krag-Joergensen rifle bullet, which was fired through the tibia of private H. McShane, of your troop, and which you had the kindness to present to this Museum. The specimen is of interest, especially in connection with the perforated section of bone forwarded by Major Girard, and the Surgeon General desires me to thank you for this contribution to the Museum Collection.
Very respectfully,
Walter Reed
Surgeon, U.S. Army
Curator.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
25 best blogs on biomedicine
Letter of the Day: June 1
[this is a 3 ½” x 4 ½” handwritten order, and is a result of the Spanish-American War]
W.D. [War Department]
S.G.O [Surgeon General’s Office]
June 1. 1898
Orders:
Dr. William M. Gray, Microscopist Surgeon General’s Office will proceed without delay to New York City and report in person to Major George H. Torney, Surgeon USA for duty in the US Hospital ship “Relief.”
(signed) Geo M. Sternberg
Surg. Genl USA
To Dr. Wm Gray
Microscopist
Through Col. Dallas Bache
Asst. Surg. Genl USA
In charge of M+L Div.
S.G.O.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Letter of the Day: May 31
War Department,
Surgeon General's Office,
Washington, May 31, 1895.
My Dear Doctor:-
Your letter of May 22d related to two supposed cases of leprosy has been received. I am so very much occupied with my official duties that I have no time for making personal investigations in a matter of this kind. I will, however, refer your communication to Major Walter Reed, Surgeon, U.S. Army, Curator of the Army Medical Museum, who will I have no doubt be glad to examine the specimens and who is entirely competent to give you an opinion on the matter.
Very sincerely yours,
(Signed) Geo. M. Sternberg.
Dr. C. O. Probst,
Sec. State Board of Health,
Columbus, Ohio.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Letter of the Day: May 29
May 29, 1897
Mr. F. A. Brockhaus,
Leipzig, Germany.
Dear Sir:
Please purchase for this Museum the prothetic [sic] apparatus invented and described by Dr. W. Liermann, of Frankfurt a.M., in the Deutsche Militaraztliche Zeitschrift, Jahrgang XXVI, 1897, Heft I, p. 13 etc. The apparatus is made by L. Droll, Frankfurt a.M., Friedenstruasse, 6.
Have it carefully packed and forwarded to this Museum in the usual manner and send the bill to me.
Very respectfully,
D.L. Huntington
Deputy Surgeon General, U.S.Army
In charge of Museum and Library Division
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Letter of the Day: May 28
May 28, 1895
Major C.E. Munn,
Surgeon, U. S. Army,
Post Surgeon, Benicia Barracks,
California.
Dear Doctor:
I have sent you a second set of cultures of pathogenic organisms. I am sorry that you have had so much trouble in obtaining them, which was, as you well know, the fault of no one here.
Owing to the continual demand which has been made upon the Museum for slides of malarial parasite, I am unable at present to send you a slide; but I have placed your name first on the list, and just as soon as the fever begins at Washington Barracks, will send you a carefully stained slide.
Very truly yours,
Walter Reed
Surgeon, U.S. Army,
Curator
Friday, May 27, 2011
Letter of the Day: May 27
Surgeon General's Office,
U.S. Army Medical Museum and Library,
Corner of 7th and B Streets, NW
Washington, May 27, 1903.
1st Lieut. E.L. Ruffner
Asst. Surgeon, U.S.A.
Base Hospital, Iloilo,
Panay, P.I.
(Through the Surgeon General, U.S. Army)
Sir:
I have the honor to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of thirty (30) dried cover-slip films of Aestivo-autumnal malarial blood for the use of the Army Medical School.
I would be very glad to have more of such specimens as about 50 will probably be needed to go around the class.
Very respectfully,
James Carroll
1st Lieut. Asst. Surgeon, U.S.A.
Asst. Curator.
Canadian War Museum exhibit borrowed from Medical Museum
CBC News May 26, 2011
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/story/2011/05/26/ott-war-museum-medicine633.html
-the exhibit is from Britain, but the Canadians jazzed it up with material from North America.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Letter of the Day: May 26
From: W.O. Owen, Colonel Medical Corps, U.S. Army,
Curator Army Medical Museum.
To: Professeur Jacob,
Directeur des Archives et Documents de Guerre,
Paris, France.
Subject: Specimens for the Army Medical Museum.
Your letter of the 9th of May is at hand. I am indeed obliged to you for
your willingness to assist me in making the collections here what they
ought to be.
I am particularly anxious to have specimens of the modern armor, such as
I am informed are in use by all of the armies engaged in this warfare,
and if you can place me in communication with anyone who has the
material for sale, or if you can inform me if there is any way by which
I may, properly, obtain this material form the military authorities of
France, by purchase or otherwise, I will be much obliged to you for the
courtesy.
It will give me pleasure to make a collection of any material that you
may want from this Country, or to let you have such material as we may
have in duplicate that may be desired by your Museum, if it may suit
your convenience to let me know your needs in these directions.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
National Museum of Health and Medicine moving to Forest Glen
Letter of the Day: May 25
AEM/caw
25 May 1959
Mr. William Fowler
Instruction Aids Division
Quartermaster School
Fort Lee, Virginia
Dear Mr. Fowler:
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 diseases and certain other selected topics of military medical history, have made this a living museum. The positive support of the Museum by the Surgeons General of the three Armed Services assures its continued growth and improvement.
In view of this and to continue its collection of historical material the Medical Museum is seeking to obtain and preserve actual uniforms worn by those who have distinguished themselves in Medical Service and will live long in its history. It is also hoped to have type uniforms of the Medical Services complete in every detail to show the changes through the years. Naturally the passing of time makes it increasingly difficult to find either.
Your display of uniforms at the Armed Forces Day Exhibit at Andrews Air Force Base, Washington, has caused me to write to you as to what the possibility would be of getting type uniforms of bygone years, new or discarded, or the specifications for their making.
Sincerely yours,
Albert E Minns Jr
Colonel MSC
Curator, Medical Museum
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Confederate photographs uploaded to Flickr
We’ve had a request for pictures of Confederate soldiers and have posted what should be every one to Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/search/?w=99129398@N00&q=confederate&m=text
Letter of the Day: May 24
TWE*RK
War Department,
Office of the Surgeon General,
Army Medical Museum and Library.
Washington
May 24, 1918.
Lieutenant Robert Ross,
C/o Col. Bispham, Officers Training Camp,
Fort Riley, Kansas.
My dear Bob:
I am in receipt of your letter of the 21st and am indeed sorry to learn that you missed the big crowd which you intended to take.
You certainly have gotten me in a fine hole with the “Battle of Cambrai”. No sooner had you left town than they were on the phone about this film and have been on the phone ever fifteen minutes since as it had been booked for the Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia to play before an audience of 7,000 people more or less, and we are all going to get into trouble before the show is given. Up until the present time the show has not been given.
Hurry up and get through with the picture you are on and get back here. Fifteen different jobs here need your attention. Pay rolls have already been forwarded for the men to sign.
Sincerely,
Tom Evans
Monday, May 23, 2011
Archives technician job in Museum open
Job Title: ARCHIVES TECHNICIAN
Department: Department Of The Army
Agency: Army Medical Command
Job Announcement Number: NEBB11982400D
SALARY RANGE: | $42,209.00 - $54,875.00 /year |
OPEN PERIOD: | Friday, May 20, 2011 to Friday, May 27, 2011 |
SERIES & GRADE: | GS-1412-07/07 |
POSITION INFORMATION: | - This is a Permanent position. -- Full Time |
PROMOTION POTENTIAL: | FPL 07 |
DUTY LOCATIONS: | 1 vacancy - DC - Washington |
WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED: | US Citizens |
JOB SUMMARY:
Challenge Yourself - Be an Army Civilian - Go Army! MORE THAN ONE VACANCY MAY BE FILLED FROM THIS ANNOUNCEMENT · Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) eligibles. · All U. S. citizens. |
Letter of the Day: May 23
AEM/caw
23 May 1960
Mrs. Helen Chatfield
Histopathology Laboratory
Mary Hitchcock Hospital
Hanover, N.H.
Dear Mrs. Chatfield:
Reference is made to recent letter inquiring if you might visit the Laboratory to repair several mounted specimens during your visit to Washington on 6 and 7 June 1960.
You are welcome to continue your training in macropathology and there should be no problem in repairing your mountings.
If we may be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to write.
Sincerely yours,
Albert E Minns Jr
Colonel MSC
Curator, Medical Museum
Capt. Elgin C. Cowart, Jr., USN, M.D. former Museum Curator & AFIP Director
Elgin Courtland Cowart, Jr., M.D., USN Ret.
Dr. Elgin C. Cowart, 87, of Potomac, Maryland died November 1, 2010, after a long bout with Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Cowart is survived by his wife, Madeleine Mary Hoge Cowart; and their children: Phillip Joseph Hoge (Susan) of Crofton, MD; Mary Kim Hoge Kammann of San Diego, CA; James Christopher Hoge, Michael Gregg Hoge of Washington, DC; and John Patrick Hoge, of Annapolis, MD. Additional survivors also include his son & daughter of his first marriage, Steve Cowart (Teresa) of Escondido, CA; daughter, Susan Cowart Ellis of El Paso, Texas; and many grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, Elgin Sr. and Annie Susie McAllister Cowart; his beloved grandmother, Susie McAllister; and his brothers, Mac and Jack Cowart.
Originally a born native of Dothan, AL, Dr. Cowart's childhood was mostly spent in beloved Fort Gaines, GA. In those early years, he and his brothers happily visited his grandmother, "Miss Susie", and other relatives there. In Fort Gaines, he was known by his nickname, "Bubba". At the age of 13, Elgin's family set off for New Orleans, LA where he attended and graduated from Alcee Fortier High School in 1940. Having such a close-knit family, Elgin decided to stay close to home as World War II was starting. With the impending war, and having already signed on with the United States Navy, he studied at the Tulane School of Tropical Medicine, and earned his Doctorate of Medical Sciences degree in 1946. Upon finishing at Tulane, Elgin entered active duty being indoctrinated at the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, Texas. It was there he received his orders to serve in WWII in the South Pacific theatre on the islands of Guam and Yap, where he was featured in the National Geographic Magazine providing medical aid. Upon his return from war, Dr. Cowart practiced family medicine for five fulfilling years in Brook Haven, MS.
In 1955, Elgin returned to active duty in the US Navy, for his residency training and serving in pathology at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland (1955-1960). Then upon receiving promotion, he was assigned to be a Commander supporting the Naval Medical Research Unit in Cairo, Egypt (1960-1964). In 1964, he was appointed curator at the United States Army Medical Museum back in Washington, DC on the National Mall until it closed and was relocated to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center campus (1964-1969). He was a very quiet and proud man - especially when it came to his work. Tying the up the ribbon to the Medical Museum in the closing ceremony with President Lyndon Johnson, where the Hirshhorn Museum and Gardens now stands, for him that was a very sad day and he looked forward to one day having a medical museum on the National Mall again.
Dr. Cowart served in the Vietnam War and in 1971 was presented the National Legion of Merit on behalf of the United States President in recognition of his meritorious conduct as commanding officer of the Naval Hospital aboard the USS Sanctuary out of Port Hueneme, California. Post-Vietnam War, he returned to AFIP as the Deputy Director (1975) and then Director (1976-1980) where he retired a first time after receiving the select distinction of being honored as the "Clinical Scientist of the Year (Sunderman Award)" for making outstanding contributions to clinical science in research, service, and teaching. Missing his passionate career, he came back to work to become the Director of American Registry of Pathology (1981-1990).
Elgin took great interest in his large extended family and looked forward to hunting trips back in his old childhood stomping grounds with his brothers and sons. He took fishing quite seriously until he took more interest in his Chesapeake Retriever dogs with which he spent many long hours training to receive awards and certificates of distinction. He had always hoped to travel to Alaska to cruise the waterways to see nature in its purest form and witness the Aurora Borealis. He no doubt will be remembered with great affection by those who truly knew and loved him.
A memorial mass and full honors burial will be held on Monday, June 13, 2011 at 11:00 A.M. at Ft. Myer Chapel, Arlington National Cemetery. Those attending are asked to arrive at the administration building at 10:30 A.M.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Letter of the Day: May 22
Surgeon General's Office,
U.S. Army Medical Museum and Library
Corner of 7th and B Streets S.W.
Washington, May 22, 1903.
Major W.C. Borden
Surgeon U.S. Army
Washington Barracks, D.C.
Sir:
I have the honor to submit the following report of the results of an examination of a portion of a tumor of the rectum handed me several days ago by 1st Lieut. J.C. Gregory, Asst. Surgeon, U.S. Army.
The essential lesion is a cancer with extensive infiltration of the muscularis and indaration [sic]. There is also a well marked purulent infiltration of the tissue with localized areas of necrosis. Some of these areas present the appearance of tubercular caseation but the structure of a tubercle is nowhere apparent. Sections are being stained for tubercle bacilli and if they are found the fact will be reported. The primary lesion is carcinoma.
Very respectfully,
James Carroll
1st Lieut. Asst. Surgeon, U.S.A.
Asst. Curator.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Museum director speaks on Sickles' leg on Youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVcUb81qgE8
by FrederickNewsPost on May 18, 2011Major General Daniel E. Sickles fought in the Civil War and lost his leg after being injured by cannon fire. The 148-year-old leg will be exhibited at Fort Detrick while the National Museum of Health and Medicine relocates to Fort Detrick's Forest Glen annex.
Video by: AJ Messer
Originally published May 18, 2011
Museum's brain collections featured in academic journal
One has to have university access to see the article unfortunately -
Brain collections at the National Museum of Health and Medicine
- Archibald J. Fobbs, Jr.1,
- John I. Johnson2
Article first published online: 20 MAY 2011
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1749-6632.2011.06036.x/abstractAnnals of the New York Academy of Sciences
Volume 1225, S1 Resources and Technological Advances for Studies of Neurobehavioral Evolution pages E20–E29, May 2011
Smithsonian Magazine on Medical Museum
The National Museum of Health and Medicine
Once it re-opens in its new Silver Spring, Maryland location this fall, this site will scare and educate, with displays of prosthetic eyes, amputated limbs and incomplete skeletons
- By Tony Perrottet
- Smithsonian magazine, June 2011
Letter of the Day: May 21
Internal Revenue Service,
1st District of New York,
Collector's Office,
Brooklyn, N.Y.
May 21, 1903
To the Surgeon General, U.S. Army
Washington, D.C.
Sir:
Referring to your letter of the 20th instant, relative to the delivery of alcohol, I would respectfully state that the U.S. Storekeeper stationed at the distillery will deliver alcohol on receipt of the duplicate permit issued by the Hon. Secretary of the Treasury to your office. I would therefore suggest that you have the said permit properly receipted, per instructions on the back of the form, and forward same to the Chief Quartermaster of the Department of the East, to be presented by his agent at the Columbus Distilling Co., 450 Greenpoint Ave., Brooklyn, this district.
Very respectfully,
Edward B. [illegible]
Collector of Internal Revenue
Friday, May 20, 2011
National Archives article on Edson Bemis
"I am still in the land of the living." The Medical Case of Civil War Veteran Edson D. Bemis
By Rebecca K. Sharp and Nancy L. Wing
National Archives Prologue Spring 2011, Vol. 44, No. 1
http://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2011/spring/bemis.html-for some reason, they didn't include Bemis' photograph from the Medical Museum, but here it is.
Letter of the Day: May 20
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)
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Letter of the Day: May 19
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
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
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
Civil War general's severed leg on display in Md.
Letter of the Day: May 16
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
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
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
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
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