Letter of the Day: June 12

Department of Agriculture,

Washington, D.C., June 12, 1880

 

Chief of Army Medical Museum

 

Dear Sir:

 

The accompanying “mummified calf” was taken from the womb of a cow which had not calved for three years.

 

If it is of any value please accept it as a donation from Mr. E.R. Stabler, writer of inclosed (sic) letter. He can give you additional particulars & anything he says may be implicitly relied on.

 

If you do not care for the specimen, please inform me, and retain it until I can ascertain what further disposition he may desireo make of it.

 

Respectfully

Yours +c

James P. Stabler

 

Enclosure:

 

Brighton, MD

Montgomery Co

June 10^th

 

James P. Stabler

 

Dear Cousin

 

I send you by Mr. Wilson a “Dried Calf” which is just as it was taken from the womb of a healthy cow. It is a curious specimen as it remained in the womb 2 years after maturity without decaying in the slightest degree. It has been at least a month since the cow was killed + except for the mould (sic) which you can see on the surface I believe it is just as sound as when it was first removed. I send it to you because I think it ought to be reserved from insects. I have not time to write more just now but will try to see you on Sunday.

 

Your Affec

Edward R. Stabler

Letter of the day, May 26

Lima Peru May 26th 1888

Dr J.S. Billings
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir-

I have just returned from a trip into the interior and found your communication of March 26th last awaiting me. I have received the $168.00 you refer to, and feel very thankfull to you for the prompt payment. In my last expedition I was in quest of just such skulls as you refer to and was accompanied part of the journey by “Dr Green” of the “U.S.S. Alert” but the hunt was very unsuccessfull.

I again leave today for a more extended tour and may do better this time. It would almost be a pity to undo the mummies from their wrappings as it is of interest to know how some of the ancient Peruvians wrapped up their dead for burial. Nevertheless in the wrappings will be found some relicts of interest.

I intend to return to the U.S. within a year hence and will undoubtedly bring with me a variety of mummies there will be some in an Adamite state so if you feel inclined to hold on to yours until then we may make an exchange for some you like better.

The Medical journals you require will be extremely difficult to obtain as they were never printed in one printing house at a time that is were published first in place one then another. All the copies of “El Monitor Medico” can be obtained but they have the audacity to ask 1 Sol per copy for back numbers, over 60 cts of our money. I will look at all medical works about here as soon as time permits. In the meantime forward you a sample copy of “La Cronica Medica” a monthly published here to which if you have not already subscribed you will see the terms on the cover leaf.

You can rely upon me to serve you in any manner I can down this way. Again thanking you for your kindness – I am yours truly

George Kiefer

[added to the bottom of the letter in pencil:] El Monitor Medico Want all prior to 1886, (i.e.) vol I

Photo of the day, March 18

The record doesn't have a day on it, so I'm claiming it for today.

Obertheil einer agyptischen Katzenmumie aus dem stadtischen historischen Museum zu Frankfurt a. M. [?] From: Glasser, O. [Otto?] Wilhelm C. Roentgen. London, 1933. Figure: 82. p. 347. Roentgen picture of a cat mummy, March 1896. Made by W. Konig March 1896.