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Curiosity Cabinet, episode 3 – can you identify this instrument?
Posted: April 10th, 2013 by Pam Rose

Welcome to the The Curiosity Cabinet, episode 3!

This is the third in our regular video series showcasing an interesting item from our McGuire Historical Instrument Collection.

The video may also be viewed on Youtube at http://youtu.be/-2hXfnFGuhU

What is the name of this instrument and what was it used for?

Hints given in the video:

It was designed by Dr. Carter Moffet in the 19^th century
It was designed in London England by the Medical Battery Company
It was used to produce artificial Italian air by pressing the switches on either end, and twisting a rod in the center

Please submit your answers to Linda Lohr by April 30, 2013.

Prizes will be drawn from all correct answers received by April 30th. First prize is a copy of “Stolen Glory: the McKinley Assassination”, 2nd prize is “Medical History in Buffalo, 1846-1996″, third prize is a set of our beautiful Botanical Notecards — Happy Guessing!

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What does Harry Potter have to do with Medicine??
Posted: March 23rd, 2013 by Pam Rose

The magic in J. K. Rowling’s series of Harry Potter novels is partially based on Renaissance traditions that played an important role in the development of Western science, including alchemy, astrology, and natural philosophy. Harry Potter’s World: Renaissance, Science, Magic, and Medicine explores the intersection of these worlds, featuring highlights from the collections of the History of Medicine Division at the National Library of Medicine.

The links at the NLM exhibits pages offer a rare opp0rtunity for delving into the history of the occult sciences (see especially educational unit 2 and unit 3). However, the UB Libraries and the History of Medicine collection have great resources to study as well.

Check out these sources:

The occult sciences: sketches of the traditions and superstitions of past times, and the marvels of the present day, HSL History WZ 309 S637o 1855
Alchemy :the Medieval alchemists and their royal art /by Johannes Fabricius, HSL History QD 26 F126f 1989
The story of alchemy and early chemistry, HSL History QD11 S84 1960

The UB Libraries also have many of the books referred to in the exhibit, available through our electronic subscription to Early English Books Online (UB Only).

Harry Potter’s World: Renaissance, Science, Magic, and Medicine is on display through March 26th in the lobby of HSL. However, the magic and marvel of Harry Potter’s world, and its connection to the history of medicine and science, remain for the reader to discover in the many resources available in the UB Libraries.

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Severe Flu Season – not the first!
Posted: January 16th, 2013 by Pam Rose

New York and Boston have both declared public health emergencies due to what is now a flu epidemic as of January 2013.

But it’s not the first, or likely the last.

During the influenza epidemic almost a century ago, an estimated 650,000 Americans and approximately 50 million worldwide lost their lives.

Today, vaccination, preventative measures and supportive medical care have reduced morbidity and mortality, while patients can readily get information on the current spread, symptoms, treatments, and other information via the web. New York State Department of Health Seasonal Flu page and http://flu.gov as well as other state web sites are easily accessed. But in 1918, such information was disseminated by newspapers, public gatherings and word of mouth.

The fascinating history of this epidemic is well documented. Stop by HSL’s History of Medicine to read Deborah Bruch Bucki’s essay: “A History of Buffalo’s Medical Response to the Great Influenza Pandemic of 1918-1919″ in: Medical History in Buffalo 1846-1996: Collected Essays, compiled and edited by Lilli Sentz. Photos from the epidemic can be seen in Another Era: A Pictorial History of the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, 1846-1996, including one showing Buffalo physicians and members of the junior and sophomore classes of the Medical School garbed in heavy, long white robes with hoods to reduce risk of contagion. Another photo shows ordinary citizens wearing gauze masks.

A worldwide account is detailed in Rajendra Kumar Sen’s A Treatise on Influenza,with Special Reference to the Pandemic of 1918, published in 1923.

Elsewhere on the web, check out the American Influenza Epidemic of 1918-1919: a digital encyclypedia created by the University of Michigan Center for the History of Medicine. The archive contains over 16,000 historical documents and photographs, as well as the stories of 50 U.S. cities, including Buffalo. At one point theaters and schools suggested staying open so they could disseminate public health information, however on October 10th, 1918, all were ordered closed as well as all social gatherings and meetings, thus keeping Buffalo’s infection rate to just 6% compared to 10% nationwide.

The federal site, http://flu.gov, also includes a historical section, The Great Pandemic, The United States, 1918-1919, which includes a snapshot of life during that time, the state of medical care, events in every state of the union, documents including ads, posters, cartoons, charts, newspapers, and photos, biographies of key public health figures, and a bibliography.

Influenza – caused by a virus. At just 100 or so nanometers (.0000001 meter), it continues to cause misery.

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Walk into History a huge success!
Posted: October 31st, 2012 by Pam Rose

Last Wednesday, October 24th, over 35 attendees had the pleasure of exploring the “Hidden Treasures of South Campus” by taking a Walk into History. More details were reported in news items published prior to the event on the Honors College “Honorable Mention” events page, the UB News Center, and The Reporter, enticing folks to sign up!

The event showcased collections located in different buildings across the South Campus: George W. Ferry Dental Museum in Squire Hall, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Apothecary and Historical Exhibits in Kapoor Hall, Museum of Neuroanatomy (Brain Museum) in the Biomedical Education Building, and the Robert L. Brown History of the Health Sciences Collection in the Health Sciences Library and the Museum of Radiology & Medical Physics, both in Abbott Hall.

A wonderful article in The Spectrum entitled “South Campus’ hidden treasures: A rich medical history is within its walls” gave a post-event perspective from a student who used the opportunity to introduce her parents to the campus.

Approximately 25 participants were also treated to refreshments and a panel discussion by Dr. Jim Bono, Dr. Michael Rembis and Dr. David Herzberg, all from the UB Department of History.

All of the South Campus “hidden treasures” collections staff have been delighted with the positive feedback from attendees at this first event. Watch for future Walks into History!

Meanwhile, you can read all about the collections in our brochure that was handed out at the event on October 24th.

A hearty “thank you” to everyone who contributed to the day!

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Hidden Treasures of the South Campus – Walk into History!
Posted: October 9th, 2012 by Pam Rose

Tucked among classic ivy-covered buildings and cutting-edge health sciences research and teaching facilities on the University at Buffalo’s South Campus are several “hidden treasures”, special collections that offer unique perspectives into the past and present of the health sciences. Come take an autumnal “walk into history” on October 24th from 4 to 8 p.m. and learn more about these repositories and their intriguing resources.

The following collections will be open to visitors from 4 to 7 p.m.: George W. Ferry Dental Museum (this collection will only be open from 4 to 6 p.m.) , School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Apothecary and Historical Exhibits, Museum of Neuroanatomy (Brain Museum), and both the Museum of Radiology and Medical Physics and the Robert L. Brown History of the Health Sciences Collection in the Health Sciences Library.

Begin your walk in the lobby of the Health Sciences Library in Abbott Hall on the day of the event, where maps, collection descriptions and the schedule of events will be available. The map and the collection descriptions may be printed in advance.

After your walk, attend the panel discussion in the Roswell Park Room of the Health Sciences Library from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m.

Dr. Jim Bono, Dr. Michael Rembis and Dr. David Herzberg, all from the UB Department of History, will address topics including the importance of the history of medicine for medical humanities, changing trends in the history of psychiatry, and the history of prescription and non-prescription drugs. The speakers will engage the audience to think about important aspects of medicine, health care, patients, society, culture, and communication. Light refreshments will be served.

Space for the panel discussion is limited! RSVP’s will be greatly appreciated. Contact Linda Lohr (829-5737; lalohr@buffalo.edu) or Keith Mages (829-5737; kcmages buffalo.edu) to RSVP, or for additional information.

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HSL Fall Workshops – let the registering begin!
Posted: August 20th, 2012 by Pam Rose

Workshops for the fall semester are now ready for registration at http://library.buffalo.edu/hsl/services/workshops.html. The first workshop on September 12th will be “No Experience Endnote”, a new and popular addition to the other Endnote offerings.

Also note that the NCBI Discovery Bioinformatics Workshop are coming up on September 19-20, 2012! Check out the details, alsp at http://library.buffalo.edu/hsl/services/workshops.html.

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Curiosity Cabinet: Episode 2 – Can you identify this instrument?
Posted: June 18th, 2012 by Pam Rose

Welcome to the The Curiosity Cabinet, episode 2!

This is the second in our regular video series showcasing an interesting item from our McGuire Historical Instrument Collection.

View the video on Youtube at http://youtu.be/OhhqfKEOjPg

What is the name of this instrument and what was it used for?

Hints given in the video:

It is a surgical instrument.
Itwas manufactured in France around 1700.
It was used in the world’s oldest recorded surgery.

Please submit your answers to Linda Lohr by June 30, 2012.

The prize for the first correct answer received is a set of our beautiful Botanical Notecards — Happy Guessing!

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HSL’s annual MEGA dollar-a-book sale!
Posted: February 2nd, 2012 by Pam Rose

Health Sciences Library, First Floor

NEW this year! UB Day - UB students, faculty & staff ONLY
Monday February 6^{th ,}9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Open to all beginning 9:00 am Tuesday, February 7th through Noon on Monday, February 13th

Books in nearly all Health and Biomedical Sciences areas!
Also featuring a large selection of books from

Natural sciences
Social sciences
Humanities
Plus best sellers and popular non-fiction

Buy early for the best selection!

Proceeds from this sale help fund future purchases for the HSL collections.

Please bring $1 bills since change may not be available.

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Curiosity Cabinet: Episode 1 – Can you identify this instrument?
Posted: January 25th, 2012 by Pam Rose

WE HAVE A WINNER! Congratulations to Michelle Klimpt! … and thanks to everyone who submitted answers.

The instrument is a “Tonsilotome”. As the name suggests, it was used to remove tonsils. Mathieu’s Tonsilotome was described as requiring “but one hand and one motion”.

The McGuire Instrument Collection includes another style of this instrument manufactured by Luer, also known as a Tonsil guillotine. There were a few other models — check out the 1889 edition of a catalog of surgical instruments, American armamentarium chirurgicum from George Tiemann & Co, who had their own device, Tiemann & Co.’s Tonsilotome, as well as Billing’s and Fahnestock’s.

Watch for Episode 2 of the Curiosity Cabinet!

———————————————————————

Welcome to the first episode of the “Curiosity Cabinet”!

Periodically, we will be posting a short video of an interesting item from our McGuire Historical Instrument Collection, with a few clues about the origin. Readers may then send us their answers as instructed. So, let us begin!

View the video on Youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-2oUj2zC1Q

What is the name of this instrument and what was it used for?

HINTS

It was manufactured in the 19^th century by the Collin Company in Paris.
It’s based on a design developed by a Dr. Matthieu
It is made of steel.

Please submit your answers to Linda Lohr

The prize for the first correct answer received is a set of our beautiful Botanical Notecards!

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HSL IS GOING TO THE DOGS!
Posted: December 8th, 2011 by Pam Rose

Are your eyes drooping?
Does your back feel tight?
Are you tense?
Do you need a break from studying?

Well, come on down!

During the week of December 12^th, HSL will provide a “stress relief” area for students. On hand at various times will be therapy dogs to pet, free chair massages, and free coffee!

Just come on down to room B15 – the Roswell Park Room, on the lower level during the following hours:

Monday December 12^th 10am-2pm
Tuesday December 13^th 10am-2pm
Wednesday December 14^th 10am-2pm
Thursday December 15^th 3pm-5pm

The dogs will be waiting!

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About the Collection

The Robert L. Brown History of Medicine Collection was established as a separate entity in 1972. The collection was named in 1985 for Robert L. Brown, MD, former Associate Dean of the School of Medicine, in recognition of his strong support of the Health Sciences Library for more than twenty-five years.

The collection includes historical materials in all areas of the health sciences, including dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, & public health.

Our Location

History is on the lower level of UB's Health Sciences Library in Abbott Hall on the South Campus. Users enjoy our main reading area, which includes a History Reference section & tables for using our materials, as well as our climate controlled Rare Book Room which contains all of our monographs as well as interesting artifacts.

Materials in Our Collection

The print portion of the History collection includes:

• over 13,000 nineteeth century monographs with particular strengths in surgery, dentistry, obstetrics/gynecology, pharmacology, & oncology
• 500 pre-nineteenth century titles
• historical journal volumes
• The Bonnie and Vern Bullough History of Nursing Collection

Non-print materials, artifacts, and instruments in the History collection include:

The Edgar R. McGuire Historical Medical Instrument Collection
Death masks of Dr. Edgar R. McGuire and Dr. Roswell Park
The official mace carried in the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences graduation procession
The original cap and gown designed by Dr. Robert L. Brown for the Dean, now used by all graduating medical students

Visting and Using Our Collection

Visitors to the History Collection are always welcome! Normal hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

It is best to schedule an appointment to use the collection and/or for a consultation so we can help you locate exactly what you need. Our materials do not circulate, so must be used on site. However, photocopies of pages in good condition are offered free of charge.

Reference questions on health science history are welcome and may be sent to Linda Lohr, (716) 829-5737.

Special Projects

Buffalo Medical Journal Database

Buffalo Medical Journal Indexing Project

McGuire Instrument Collection

The Edgar R. McGuire Historical Medical Instrument Collection was established in 1985 by Mrs. Annette Cravens in memory of her father, chairman of the Department of Surgery at the University of Buffalo from 1914 until his death in 1931.

The collection, containing more than 150 instruments or sets of instruments chosen for their illustration of past medical and dental procedures, includes microscopes, surgical instruments, anatomical models, a leech jar and bleeding cups, and dental instruments.

The collection is housed in the Robert L. Brown History of Medicine Collection in the Health Sciences Library, Abbott Hall, South Campus, University at Buffalo.

	Papier Mache Anatomical Models Louis Auzoux (1797-1880),a French physician, began making anatomical models out of papier mache in 1822. By the time of his death, Dr. Auzoux had perfected his techniques and created a wide range of models for teaching anatomy. The models are accurate in detail, labeled, and painted. They are not easily damaged by use or climatic changes and remain unsurpassed to this day. The McGuire Instrument Collection includes Auzoux models of the ear, eye, and larynx

	Lithotomy and Lithotrity Case This superb case of lithotomy and lithotrity instruments was manufactured by Charriere in Paris in approximately 1840. Removal of stones from the bladder was one of the earliest and most frequently performed operations. By the ninetheenth century, it had become a highly successful procedure and carried a low mortality rate. However, frequent infection and lack of anesthesia made the operation dreaded by most patients, and led to the development of instruments that could be introduced through the urethra to crush the stones. Shown here is Charriere's case of instruments, actual bladder stones, and a forceps from 1580 designed to extract stones from the bladder.

	Powell and Lealand No. 1 Stand Microscope Donated to the McGuire Instrument Collection by William H. Merrilees, MD, this instrument manufactured in 1884 represents perhaps the height of microscope design and craftsmanship in England.

	Dental Drill This unique dental drill, patented in 1873, is rotated by a Pitman crank worked by the thumb of the operator.

Friends of HSL

The Friends of the Health Sciences Library, founded in 1975, support the collections and services of HSL, with a primary focus on the History of Medicine Collection. The supported programs include the Health Sciences Art and Media Group art initiative and the Buffalo Medical Journal database indexing project, as well as our annual meeting and lecture events.

Our annual meeting features the C.K. Huang Memorial Lecture, named for one of HSL's former directors. For example, in 2005 Dr. Edward Fine and Dr. Arie Weinstock of UB's Department of Neurology presented a wonderful program on past and current methods of treating epilepsy. In addition to the presentations, the evening always includes food, drink, and great company.

Print out our membership form and send it along with your check or credit card information to the address indicated. Or, better yet, stop and visit History and get acquainted with our collection!

History of Health Sciences Exhibits

Art in the Health Sciences Library Exhibit No.3: "The Tools of Medicine"

"The Tools of Medicine" exhibit, which opened on November 19, 2003, features images of selected instruments contained in the the Edgar R. McGuire Historical Medical Instrument Collection. The exhibit features 6 enlarged, framed images mounted in the main staircase area on the first floor of HSL.

Made possible through the generous support of the Friends of the Health Sciences Library and the Medical Historical Society, the exhibit is the third of a series developed by the Health Sciences Art and Media Group (HSAMG) which includes staff from HSL and iMedia, a unit of Academic Services at UB.

The Historical Medical Instrument Collection is a remarkable assemblage of instruments and artifacts from medicine, surgery, dentistry, pharmacy, and nursing, dates from the Roman period to the 20th century. Among the items are microscopes, surgical and forensic instruments, anatomical models, a leech jar and cage, bleeding cups, and dental instruments. Established in 1985 by Mrs. Annette Cravens in memory of her father, the prominent surgeon Dr. Edgar Robinson McGuire, the collection vividly brings to life the history and evolution of the health sciences.

Dr. McGuire graduated from the University of Buffalo Medical School in 1900. He succeeded Dr. Roswell Park as chairman of the Department of Surgery at the University in 1917 and held the position until his death in 1931. In 2002, Mrs. Cravens permanently donated the portion of theCollection that had previously been on loan to the University.

The talented iMedia staff (Fred Kwiecien, Donald Trainor, Monica Carter, and Jim Ulrich) selected and photographed 6 instruments from the Historical Medical Instrument Collection to create The Tools of Medicine exhibit. The images were enlarged and framed for display in the natural gallery area of the main staircase between the 1st and 2nd floors.

Please visit iMedia.buffalo.edu/art/ to view items for sale from the first Art in the Library inititiave, 19th Century Botanicals.

For more information, please contact Linda Lohr, Manager, at 839-5737.

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

Academic Programs

Stanford University Program in Science, Technology, and Society

Archives, Libraries, Museums, and Other Special Collections

Bochum Anaesthesia Antiques Online Museum
Connecticut and New Haven's First General Hospital
Johnstone-Need Medical History Unit, University of Melbourne
Lives They Left Behind: Suitcases from a State Hospital Attic
Lloyd Library and Museum
Medical and Dental History Museum Catalogues, University of Melbourne
National Library of Medicine History of Medicine Division
Osler Library of the History of Medicine
Otis Historical Archives, National Museum of Health and Medicine, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology
Profiles in Science
Relief of Pain and Suffering Symposium and Exhibit
UCLA Louise M. Darling Biomedical Library History & Special Collections Division
Universitat Zurich Medizinhistorisches Institut and Museum
University of Michigan Historical Center for the Health Sciences
University of Manchester (UK) Centre for the History of Science, Technology and Medicine
Vanderbilt Medical Center Eskind Biomedical Library Archives
Wellcome Trust History of Medicine

Biography
Ask Osleriana: A Searchable Database (Sir William Osler)
The Problem of the "Difficult Woman" (Dr. Mary Dixon Jones)
Texas Physicians Historical Biographical Database
"That Girl There is Doctor in Medicine" (Elizabeth Blackwell Exhibit)

Digitized Images and Manuscripts

Bodleian Image Collection
Connecticut and New Haven's First General Hospital
General Directions for Collecting and Drying Medicinal Substances of the Vegetable Kingdom (1862)
Guide for Inspection of Hospitals and for Inspector's Report (1861-1865)
Islamic Medical Manuscripts at the National Library of Medicine
Moody Medical Library Microscope Collection
National Library of Medicine History of Medicine Collection
Plague and Public Health in Renaissance Europe
Poison Labels
Eleven images of vintage labels used on old poison jars, freely available for reproduction. A link to a larger images zip file is also offered.
Profiles in Science
Princeton University Library, Department of Rare Books and Special Collections Portfolio
A Selection of Letters Written by Florence Nightingale

Electronic Journals

Ellingwood's Therapeutist
Journal of the History of Medicine and Allied Sciences

Meta-Sites

Directory of History of Medicine Collections
Directory of Regional, State and Local Archival Organizations in the United States
Glossing the Body Electric: A Review of Web Resources for Historians of Psychology
Guide to Collections Relating to the History of Artificial Organs
Ready, Net, Go! Archival Internet Resources
Special Collections Resources on the Internet
Special Collections Web Resources

Professional Organizations

American Association for the History of Nursing
American Association of Neurological Surgeons Section on History
History of the Health Sciences Section of the Medical Library Association
History of the Philosophy of Science Working Group
International Network for the History of Public Health
International Society for the History of the Neurosciences
Northeast Document Conservation Center

Publishers

Science History Publications

Regional and Cultural History

A Celebration of Black History
Classical Islamic Biomedicine
Early Canadiana Online
Islamic Culture and the Medical Arts
Islamic Medical Manuscripts at the National Library of Medicine
WNY Medical History

Research Aids

Canadian Health Obituaries
Copyright Term and the Public Domain in the United States
(Peter Hirtle, Cornell Institute for Digital Collections -- a concise chart of types of works (unpublished, published in the U.S. and published outside the U.S.), the copyright term, and specifics of what was included in the public domain (thus exempt from copyright restrictions) as of 1 January 2007. The chart should be updated each year.
EAD (Encoded Archival Description) Help Pages
The Getty Information Institute--Vocabularies
Historical Services Resources for Students
History of Medicine Division Factsheet
National Library of Medicine History of Medicine Division
Ready, Net, Go! Archival Internet Resources
Recent Dissertations in the Medical Humanities
(U. of Pittsburgh Health Sciences Library System, History of Medicine division)
Special Collections Resources on the Internet
Special Collections Web Resources
Whonamedit.com

Thematic Sites

Anesthesia History Files
Bloodletting
Curious Expeditions
Glossing the Body Electric: A Review of Web Resources for Historians of Psychology
Guide to Collections Relating to the History of Artificial Organs
History of Nutritional Science
History of Syphilis
In Rousseau's Own Hand—His Book, His Notes, and Botany
John C. Liebeskind History of Pain Collection - UCLA History of Pain project
Neuroscience History Archives
Plague and Public Health in Renaissance Europe
Relief of Pain and Suffering Symposium and Exhibit
RETICULUM: Neuroscience History Resources
Texas Physicians Historical Biographical Database
Ten Great Public Health Achievements in the 20th Century
"To Bind Up the Nation's Wounds: Medicine During the Civil War"

The Tuskegee Syphilis Study
     Bad Blood: The Troubling Legacy of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study
      CDC Tuskegee Syphilis Study Page
      Internet Resources on the Tuskegee Study
      The Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment

Visual History of Alternative Medicine
Washington, D.C. Historical Medical Sites
The Zwerdling Nursing Archives

A

Alternative Medicine, Visual History
American Association for the History of Nursing
American Association of Neurological Surgeons Section on History
Anesthesia History Files
Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, National Museum of Health and Medicine, Otis Historical Archives
Ask Osleriana: A Searchable Database (Sir William Osler)

B

Bad Blood: The Troubling Legacy of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study
Bloodletting
Bochum Anaesthesia Antiques Online Museum
Bodleian Image Collection

C

CDC Tuskegee Syphilis Study Page
Canadian Health Obituaries
A Celebration of Black History
Classical Islamic Biomedicine
Connecticut and New Haven's First General Hospital
Copyright Term and the Public Domain in the United States
(Peter Hirtle, Cornell Institute for Digital Collections -- a concise chart of types of works (unpublished, published in the U.S. and published outside the U.S.), the copyright term, and specifics of what was included in the public domain (thus exempt from copyright restrictions) as of 1 January 2007. The chart should be updated each year.
Curious Expeditions
An eclectic journey by two explorers "devoted to unearthing and documenting the wondrous, the macabre and the obscure from around the globe". One section of the site includes a wealth of photos from extraordinary libraries from all over the world: Librophiliac Love Letter: a Compendium of Beautiful Libraries including Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, France, England, United States, Hungary, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Austria, Canada, Brazil, Scotland, and more.