Letter of the Day - June 16 (3 of 3) - hairballs

[Andrea of our public programs staff is fascinated by hairballs and selected this letter.]

 

Smithsonian Institution,

Washington, D.C., June 16, 1880

 

Dr. Geo. A. Otis,

Curator, Army Medical Museum,

Washington, D.C.

 

Sir:

                In accordance with the agreement between the Smithsonian Institution and the Army Medical Museum, I take pleasure in sending you a ball of hair from a cow’s stomach, presented to the Institution by Thomas T. Crosson of Livingston, Texas.

 

Very respectfully,

Spencer Baird

Secretary

 

A copy of the above given to Dr. Schafhirt with the spec. June 18, 1880.

Specimen Received June 17, and ack. June 18, 1880. Letter 5616.