OHA 82
- Surgical Photographs, 1860-1880s
- 27 cubic feet, 30 boxes.
- Finding aid available, arranged, inactive, unrestricted.
- Series of 400 photographs mostly taken at the Museum in the 1860s and 1870s to illustrate interesting surgical operations or difficulties. The photographs were distributed individually as "Surgical Photographs" and also published in sets of fifty, eventually including eight volumes, called Photographs of Surgical Cases and Specimens. The first volume of 50 photographs was printed in an edition of 40 sets which were distributed to Medical Directors in the Union Army. The next three volumes, photographed mostly by William Bell, were available by January 1869. In 1871 the first five volumes were formally published as Photographs of Surgical Cases and Specimens Taken at the Army Medical Museum. The final three volumes, photographed mostly by E.J. Ward, had apparently been published by late 1881 to complete the set. Some of the photographs were also used as engravings in The Medical and Surgical History of the War of the Rebellion and in Gunshot Fractures of the Femur by George Otis. The photographs were printed at different times from wet collodion glass plate negatives and show a variety of poses, retouchings, and mounts, including mats prepared for exhibit in the U.S. Centennial International Exhibition of 1876. Each mount generally has a short summary of the case on the back. The collection includes several sets of the series (bound and loose) and five boxes of associated records. There is an item-level database as well as an original card file index to the collection. See also Woodward Photographs.
OHA 83
- Woodward Photographs and Photomicrographs, 1860-1880s
- 80 cubic feet, 135 boxes.
- Partial finding aid, part arranged, inactive, unrestricted.
- Photomicrographs taken by Joseph J. Woodward, head of the Museum's Medical and Microscopic Sections (see Woodward Collection). Most of the collection (131 boxes) consists of glass plate negatives which are stored separately. Most prints are bound in volumes; many accompany reports to the Surgeon General about photomicrography techniques. Images show cancer, blood, insects, plants, and fungi. Some were taken by Woodward's assistant, Edward Curtis, and some were exhibited at the U.S. Centennial International Exhibition (1876). Includes 20 volumes called "New Series." Other photographs in this series are pictures of the Museum and Washington area notables, probably taken by William Bell. Included are Civil War generals Ulysses S. Grant, Daniel Sickles, Philip Sheridan, Joseph Barnes. Original index card finding aids for the portraits exist. Some negatives for the Surgical Photographs are included in the collection.
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