Description

Dr. Royal de Rohan Barondes (b. 12/10/1890? - ), of California, was a veteran of the US Army Medical Department for both world wars.  To rejoin the Medical Corps for World War II, Barondes lied about his age.  Barondes researched both surgical instruments and pharmaceuticals in his private practice.  His correspondence and published articles reflect this interest.  Medical instruments owned by Dr. Barondes are in the Historical Collections of the Museum.

Description of Dr. Barondes' career, written by his son

Dr. Royal de Rohan Barondes, M.D., FRSA (London), FRIPHHM (UK), (b. 12/10/1890 - d. 10/27/1962), from San Francisco, California, was a veteran of the U.S. Army Medical Department during both World Wars.  He served in Siberia, in 1918-19, where he was nominated for the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) for treating many soldiers wounded by the Bolsheviks blowing up a Transiberian railway troop train in which he was riding.

To rejoin the Medical Corps in World War II, Dr. Barondes understated his age. Assigned in England, he developed a close friendship with Dr. H. W. Florey, Nobel Laureate, while preparing for the use of penicillin to treat the wounded in the forthcoming invasion of mainland Europe. He later deployed in a picket boat in the English Channel for the landing phase of the Normandy invasion. There he treated aviators downed in the Channel: Allied and German, alike. He was subsequently awarded the Purple Heart for wounds incurred at the front in Normandy.

Between the World Wars, and after World War II, Dr. Barondes maintained a private medical practice. At the same time, he designed innovative surgical instruments and conducted research on new pharmaceuticals. His extensive correspondence with renowned physicians and his many articles published in medical journals reflect his broad interests in medicine and pioneering medical activities.

Medical instruments owned by Dr. Barondes are in the Historical Collections of the Army Medical Museum along with an original sample of Penicillium Notatum mold given him by the Fleming\Florey team.

He is interred in Arlington National Cemetery alongside his wife, Captain Dorcas Adams Barondes, U.S. Army Nurse Corps, who also served in Europe during World War II, and subsequently within the Pusan Perimeter during the Korean Conflict.

Written by Dr. Barondes' son, E. de R. Barondes

Folder List

General Correspondence:

Letters on medical subjects (1933-1960).

Correspondence and information regarding instrument design:

Drawings, reprints, correspondence on designing proctological instruments including forceps, speculum, proctoscope.

Typescripts of Publications or lectures (9 documents):

1. Asulphurosis as an etiologic factor in pellagra and other diseases,
2. Asulphurosis as a causative factor in pellagra and other diseases,
3. Audio-Vibroscopic Examinations (A new technique in mediate auscultation),
4. The genetics of pathogenic bacteria and viruses (A new concept on toxin formation by bacterial and viral enzymosis),
5. Nouvelles observations sur les relations entre l'empoisinnement par Selenium et la Pallagre,
6. Poliomyelitis: The common denominator in disease process,
7. Science and secrecy (11/1/1937),
8. Tetanus and rabies: A new concept on toxin production by Bacterial and viral enzymosis,
9. Treatment of war wounds with the sulfonamides (A new medicated gauze for packing purposes).

Published Articles (2 folders; 65 articles):

Journals, reprints and tearsheets on military medicine, urology, proctology, sulfa drugs, cancer, diet & nutrition, polio, pellagra, leprosy, history of medicine, veterinary medicine.

Certificates, Membership Cards, Army Record (7 pieces):

• California Board of Medical Examiners certificate (1942),
• California Board of Medical Examiners certificate (1951),
• Federation of American Scientists membership card,
• Medical Veterans of the World War certificate (1920),
• US Army Separation Qualification Record [copy] (1945),
• US War Department Identification Card No. 244520,
• US Army Headquarters Pass (1945).

Photographs (3 pieces):

• Color photocopy of 2 photographs of Barondes, 1 circa WWI, 1 circa WWII,
• Headquarters, Northern Defense Command, Walla Walla, WA 1942 staff,
• Man with elephantiasis of scrotum, ca. 1922?.

Newspaper Clippings (9 pieces):

Clippings on, or letters to, newspapers by or about Barondes.

Unsorted new material: 2 books, certificate, photo, cartoons

Processed by:Michael Rhode

2/27/1998, 4/8/98