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Finding Aid for the

Guide to the Naomi M. Kanof Papers

OHA 203

  • Span Dates: 1939-1986
  • Bulk Dates: 1960-1980
  • 11 Linear Feet, 20 Boxes

Otis Historical Archives, National Museum of Health and Medicine, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology

Biographical Note

Naomi Marilyn Kanof was born January 6, 1912 in Brooklyn, New York to Benjamin and Anne (Bernstein) Kanof. She received a B.A. from George Washington University in 1931 and her M.D. in 1934 from the Medical School. September 8, 1935, she married Max Tendler, also a graduate of George Washington University. She interned at the Jewish Hospital of Brooklyn, 1934-1935, and at the Children's Hospital in Washington, D.C., 1935-1936. Her residency was at the Skin and Cancer Unit of the New York Postgraduate School and Hospital of Columbia University, 1936-1938.

Dr. Kanof opened a private practice in dermatology in Washington, D.C. in 1938 and continued it until shortly before her death. She wrote extensively for medical journals and other publications on issues relating to dermatology, especially the gold leaf treatment she had developed for skin ulcers. Dr. Kanof was also editor of the Journal of Investigative Dermatology from 1949-1967 and the Journal of the American Medical Women's Association from 1972-1976. In addition, she was dermatology editor for the 1976 and 1982 editions of Stedman's Medical Dictionary and a member of the editorial board of the Medical Annals of the District of Columbia from 1963-1974.

In addition to her writing and editorial duties, Dr. Kanof was a member of the following professional associations: Baltimore-Washington Dermatologic Society; Washington Dermatological Society; The Medical Society of the District of Columbia and its section of Dermatology and Syphilology; George Washington University Medical Alumni Society; American Academy of Dermatology; American Medical Association; Jacobi Society; and the Society for Investigative Dermatology. She was Chairwoman of the Department of Dermatology at the Children's Hospital, a Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Georgetown University Medical School, and a lecturer on dermatology at Howard University Medical School. She served as Vice President of the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine at the Uniformed School of Health Sciences in Bethesda. She was also head of the D.C. Medical Board for Dermatology and Chairwoman of the American Medical Association Committee on Cutaneous Health and Cosmetics as well as Assistant Secretary for the International Congress of Dermatology.

Naomi Kanof died on June 26, 1988 at the George Washington University Hospital after a heart attack.

Series Description

The Naomi M. Kanof Papers, 1939-1986, (11 linear feet) consists of twenty boxes, three containing oversized material. It has been arranged into six series:

Series 1: Correspondence, 1963-1983. 7.5 linear inches (1.5 document boxes). Arranged chronologically. The correspondence in this series is mainly related to Dr. Kanof's practice and her patients and has been restricted as patient records. The collection contains other correspondence that was filed with the material most closely associated with it.

Series 2: Personal Files, 1948-1986. 15 linear inches (3 document boxes). Arranged alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically. The Personal Files series contains personal correspondence and papers, biographical materials, and personal office files.

Series 3: Professional Associations and Activities, 1952-1986. 42.5 linear inches (8.5 document boxes). Arranged alphabetically by association, then chronologically. This series consists of material collected from the associations Naomi Kanof was involved in during her lifetime.

Series 4: Publication Files, 1939-1981. 12.5 linear inches (2.5 document boxes). Arranged alphabetically by journal and folder title, then chronologically. This series consists of articles and reprints of articles by Naomi M. Kanof.

Series 5: Reference and Research Files, 1941-1981. 7.5 linear inches (1.5 document boxes). Arranged alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically. This series contains files on research performed by Dr. Kanof, as well as reference material she collected.

Series 6: Office Logs and Account Books, 1939-1986. 46.5 linear inches (3 record carton boxes). Arranged chronologically. This series consists of Dr. Kanof's patient log books and account books

Scope and Content Note

The papers document Naomi M. Kanof's professional career as a dermatologist from 1939-1986. A large majority of the papers reflect her involvement in professional associations, and her writing and research. All series include correspondence relating to that specific topic.

The Correspondence, 1963-1983 series contains letters to and from patients, insurance companies, lawyers, etc. This series contains restricted material.

The Personal Files, 1948-1986 series contains personal correspondence, a few photographs, and both personal and office financial information as well as personal office files containing insurance claims and patient files which have been restricted.

The Professional Associations and Activities, 1952-1986 series consists of correspondence, memos, bulletins, meeting minutes and a few publications collected by Dr. Kanof during her involvement in numerous professional associations throughout her career as a doctor of dermatology.

The Publication Files, 1939-1981 includes articles and reprints of articles written by Dr. Kanof, and correspondence relating to them.

The Reference and Research Files, 1941-1981 includes research conducted by Dr. Kanof on such things as gold leaf, body louse/typhus and the sensitization of bean plants, and materials collected for reference, such as magazine articles and pamphlets.

The Office Logs and Account Books, 1939-1986 contains the patient log books from her practice and account books. This series contains restricted material.

Restrictions

The items marked 'Restricted' are restricted as Patient Records.

Folder List

CORRESPONDENCE, 1963-1970

Box 1

Folder #Folder Title

  1. Correspondence: Cortisone to the Larynx, 1963
  2. Correspondence, 1964, 1965, Restricted
  3. Correspondence re. "Gold Leaf" treatment, 1965
  4. Gold Leaf Correspondence, 1966-1967
  5. Correspondence, 1966, Restricted
  6. Correspondence, 1967, Restricted
  7. Correspondence, 1968, Restricted
  8. Correspondence, 1969-1970, Restricted

Box 2

  1. Correspondence re. Patients, 1971, Restricted
  2. Correspondence, 1972, Restricted
  3. Selected Correspondence (Gold Leaf Treatment; Cosmetic Labeling Meeting; Proposed Advertisement for CIBA Ritalin MBD), 1972-1973
  4. Correspondence, Howard vs. Proctor and Gamble, 1972-1974
  5. Correspondence, 1973, Restricted
  6. Correspondence regarding a skin cancer patient, 1973, Restricted
  7. Correspondence and Medical Record of Patient referred to Dr. Kanof, 1973, Restricted
  8. Correspondence, 1974, Restricted
  9. Patient Files and Correspondence, 1975, Restricted
  10. "Pending" File, 1979, 1980, 1982
  11. Correspondence, 1983-1986

PERSONAL FILES, 1948-1986

Box 2 (continued)

  1. Bank-Checking, 1984
  2. Fan Mail, 1976-1982
  3. Dr. Hassan El-Hefnawi, 1962-1963
  4. Interview, October 1983
  5. Litigation: K.B., 1984-1986
  6. Dr. Kanof's Obituary, 1988
  7. Dr. Kanof-Personal, 1948-1949
  8. Dr. Kanof-Personal, 1949-1952
  9. Dr. Kanof-Personal, 1955-1958

Box 3

  1. Dr. Kanof-Personal, 1959-1961
  2. Dr. Kanof-Personal, 1962-1965, 1967
  3. Dr. Kanof-Personal, 1972-1974
  4. Dr. Kanof-Personal, 1975
  5. Dr. Kanof-Personal, 1976 (includes a few photographs)
  6. Dr. Kanof-Personal, 1977

Box 4

  1. Dr. Kanof-Personal, 1978
  2. Dr. Kanof-Personal, 1979-1980
  3. Photographs of Dr. Kanof
  4. Rejo, Inc., John E. Munoz, Pres.
  5. Rothschild Foundation, 1959, Dr. Edwin Sidi
  6. Tennessee Botanical Gardens and Fine Arts Center, "The Animal in Art" exhibit-photographs, 1978
  7. Tennessee Fine Arts Center-Belmont

Personal Files/Office Files

  1. Insurance Claims, 1968-1972, Restricted
  2. Insurance Forms, 1940-1964, Restricted

Box 5

  1. Insurance Receipts, 1984, Restricted
  2. Patient File, 1976-1980-Mrs. K.D. (includes biopsy slides), Restricted
  3. Patient File, 1961-1973-Mrs. V.L., Restricted
  4. Patient File, 1956-1972-Mr. A.S., Restricted
  5. Patient Reports from other Doctors Test Results, Restricted

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND ACTIVITIES, 1952-1986

Box 5 (continued)

American Academy of Dermatology

  1. 1977-1984
  2. 1985-1986
  3. Annual Meeting, 1973: "Poisoning and Systemic Reaction" by Naomi M. Kanof
  4. Continuing Medical Education Award, 1980-1983
  5. Gold Medal Award, 1986
  6. National Program for Dermatology

Box 6

American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting Programs, 1960-1980

Box 7

American Dermatological Association

  1. 1980-1981
  2. 1983-1986
  3. Manuals and Meeting Programs, 1979-1987

American Medical Association

  1. Certificate of Membership, 1981, 1982, 1983
  2. Conference Brochures, 1968, 1974
  3. Conference on Cutaneous Toxicity, 1964, 1976, 1979
  4. Physician's Recognition Award, 1982, 1983

American Medical Association Committee on Cutaneous Health and Cosmetics

  1. 1968-1972, includes research on Staphylococcal Disease and Infection in Infants

Box 8

American Medical Association Committee on Cutaneous Health and Cosmetics (cont.)

  1. 1972
  2. 1972
  3. 1972-1973
  4. 1973
  5. 1974

Box 9

American Medical Association (cont.)

  1. Conference-Cosmetics Legislation
  2. Cosmetics Information, 1973-1974-Cosmetics Labeling Legislation
  3. Cosmetics Legislation Information, 1974-1978
  4. Over the Counter Drug and Cosmetic Labeling, 1971-1972

American Medical Women's Association

  1. Pamphlets

Association of Professors of Dermatology

  1. 1966-1967
  2. Braille Prescription Label

Children's Hospital

  1. 1958-1967
  2. 1972-1974
  3. 1973, 1978-1981

Box 10

  1. Commission on Licensure, Healing Arts Practice Act-Framed License
  2. Continuing Medical Education
  3. Contributions
  4. Controlled Substances Renewal Application
  5. Cosmetic Ingredient Review
  6. Court Case-Branch vs. Mennen Company, 1971
  7. Court Case-Revlon vs. Gober, 1961-1962
  8. Court Case-Tubbs vs. CECO, 1979-1980

Dermatology Foundation

  1. Certificate of Membership, Lifetime, 1975
  2. Annual Report, 1977
  3. Practitioner of the Year Award, 1982

  1. Directory, Supplies, Labs, Pharmaceuticals
  2. Drug and Cosmetic Industry

Food and Drug Administration

  1. Drugs and Cosmetics
  2. Reports-Hexachlorophene-FDC Reports

Box 11

Food and Drug Administration (continued)

  1. Vioform, 1985

  1. Galludet College, Peter J. Fine Student Health Service, 1981-1982
  2. Georgetown University School of Medicine Awards Banquet, 1978
  3. George Washington University Medical Society, 1954-1956

Henry M. Jackson Foundation

  1. 1985
  2. 1986

History of Dermatology Society

  1. 10th Annual Meeting, 4th Samuel J. Zakon Lecturer, December 5, 1982, New Orleans

International Congress of Dermatology-1962

  1. Correspondence, 1957-1958
  2. Correspondence, 1959-1960
  3. Correspondence, 1961-1962
  4. Correspondence re. Carter-Barron Night, 1961-1962

Box 12

International Congress of Dermatology-1962

  1. Correspondence re. Commemorative Stamp, 1961-1962
  2. Correspondence re. Concert Night, 1959-1962
  3. Meeting Programs, 1972, 1982
  4. International League of Dermatological Societies

International Society for Tropical Dermatology

  1. 1959-1960
  2. 1978
  3. Conference Program, 1982

The Medical Society of the District of Colombia

  1. 1962-1966
  2. 1977
  3. 1979-1985
  4. Classification Committee, 1956-1959
  5. Citizens Council for a Clean Potomac, 1963

  1. Medical Women's International Association Report on the XIVth Congress, 1974
  2. Meetings NMK Plans to Attend
  3. Pennsylvania Academy of Dermatology, 1979-1982

Society for Investigative Dermatology

  1. Banquet, Atlantic City, April 1972
  2. Bicentennial Exhibit and Travel Exhibit, AAD & SID, 1975-1976, 1985
  3. ESDR Meeting, Washington, D.C., April 1983
  4. ESDR, May/June, 1983; 1986

Box 13

Society for Investigative Dermatology (continued)

  1. Meeting Programs, 1952-1984

  1. Society for Pediatric Dermatology, 1975-1985
  2. Southern Medical Association, 69th Annual Scientific Meeting, 1975
  3. Symposium on Biology of the Skin, 1970
  4. Washington Dermatological Society, 1957-1962

PUBLICATION FILES, 1939-1981

Box 13 (continued)

  1. Articles-Reports (folder 1 of 2)

Box 14

  1. Articles-Reports (folder 2 of 2)
  2. Archives of Dermatology and Syphilology. "Varicella Following Exposure to Herpes Zoster." January 1939, vol. 39.
  3. "Careers in Medicine for High School Students"
  4. Clinical Immunology and Immunopathology. July 1976, vol. 6, no. 1
  5. Current Medical Digest. "Dermatologic Problems of Adolescence." February 1966, vol. 33, no. 2.
  6. Current Therapy. "Decubitus Ulcers."

Cutis

  1. May 1970, vol. 6, no. 5. Naomi Kanof, Guest Editor
  2. "Cosmetic-A Definition in Law." Reprint from May 1970.
  3. "Eczematous Dermatoses of the Feet of Children." Reprint November 1966, vol. 2, no. 11.
  4. Correspondence, 1966-1967 re. Article "Eczematous Dermatoses of the Feet of Children."

  1. Guidance for Relatives of the Dying-pamphlet

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

  1. Autobiography
  2. Autobiography-Responses, 1981
  3. "Cosmetics: Proposal for Redifinition." Reprint from July 1979, vol. 1, no. 1.
  4. "Of Lice and Men." Reprint from July 1980, vol. 3, no. 1.
  5. Schafer, June Carol, Obituary

Journal of the American Medical Women's Association

  1. "Careers…in Dermatology"
  2. Correspondence re. special issue on Dermatology
  3. "Cosmetics in Search of a Definition." Reprint from July 1974, vol. 29, no. 7.
  4. "Cosmetics, the Physician and the Consumer." Reprint from October 1972, vol. 27, no. 10.
  5. Curth, Helen O., 1967
  6. "Dermatology's Past and Present-day Participation in Medicine." Reprint from April 1967, vol. 22, no. 4.
  7. Goldleaf-Details about the application of

Box 15

Journal of the American Medical Women's Association (continued)

  1. Guest editor, Naomi M. Kanof, April 1967, vol. 22, no. 4
  2. Hu, Funan, M.D., 1967
  3. Introduction-Dr. Kanof, Special Issue on Dermatology
  4. MacDonald, Eleanor J., 1966-1967
  5. Rauschkolb, Ruth R., 1967
  6. "Recent Advances in Dermatology." Reprint from May 1959, vol. 4, no. 5.
  7. Roe, Daphne A., 1967

Editorials:

  1. "Cosmetic or Drug." June 29, 1970, vol. 212, no. 13.
  2. "Who Needs Hexachlorophene? Hospitals and Some People." Reprint from April 17, 1972, vol. 220, no. 3.

Journal of Investigative Dermatology

  1. "Allergic Sensitization of Plants (Bean) to a Simple Chemical (Copper Sulfate)." Reprint from 1967, vol. 48, no. 3.
  2. Cutaneous Ulcers: Treatment with Gold Leaf
  3. Editor Retirement Letters
  4. "Effect of Oral Steroid of Non-Inflammatory Scalp Ringworm." Reprint from September 1958, vol. 31, no. 3.
  5. "Gold Leaf in the Treatment of Cutaneous Ulcers." Reprint from November 1964, vol. 43, no. 5.
  6. Issue Honoring Naomi Kanof, M.D., July 1967, vol. 49, no. 1.
  7. March, 1986
  8. "Philosophy and Role of Organizations." August 1967, vol. 96.
  9. "Studies on Eczematous Sensitizations." June 1945, vol. 6, no. 3.

  1. Kanof quoted in articles
  2. MEDCOM 1972, Correspondence re. producing a slide series on eczematous diseases
  3. Postgraduate Medicine-Paper, 1963-1964

Box 16

Stedman's Medical Dictionary

  1. 1972-1975
  2. 1972-1975
  3. Stedman's Medical Dictionary #24
  4. Stedman's Medical Dictionary #25

  1. Stravon Publishers, Mr. Segal, 1963-1965
  2. Waverly Press Style and Type Manuals

REFERENCE AND RESEARCH FILES, 1941-1981

Box 16 (continued)

  1. Biographies of American Dermatologists
  2. Body Louse/Typhus Project
  3. Carl Herzog
  4. "Come Meet Mr. Jefferson," by Harry L. Wechsler, M.D., The Pittsburgh Bibliofiles, March 19, 1981
  5. Dr. Kanof's Experiments
  6. Gold Leaf
  7. Immunization, "Health Precautions for Foreign Travel" pamphlet

Box 17

  1. Life magazine article about the FDA - "Eat, Drink, and Be Wary," by John Neary, October 20, 1972, vol. 73, no. 16.
  2. Medical Reference Publications and Brochures

pH Studies

  1. Naomi M. Kanof, M.D. - John C. Houck, Ph.D., 'pH Response of Infant's Skin to Soap and Detergent'
  2. Soap and Detergent Effects of Infants and Young Children

  1. Plant Sensitization Study, 1941 (includes photographs)
  2. Reporting Adverse Drug Reactions
  3. Research Notes
  4. Science, vol. 208, no. 4441, April 1980. Material Dr. Kanof used in writing paper "Cosmetics and Carcinogens," presented at the 1980 Annual Meeting of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists, December 11.

OFFICE LOGS AND ACCOUNT BOOKS, 1939-1986

Box 18 Patient Log Books, 1966-1975

Box 19 Patient Log Books, 1976-1985

Box 20 Patient Log Books, 1986, no date and Account Books, 1939-1986

Processed by Heather Lindsay

July 1998

(END)