By Stephen J. Greenberg Mercy Street, the popular PBS series now entering its second season, tells the complicated story of a U.S. Army hospital during the American Civil War. The story is told from many points of view: doctors, nurses, soldiers, patients, including such usually under-represented groups as escaped slaves (“contraband,” as they were called) […]
January
12
Molecular Biology Behind the Blackboard
posted by Circulating Now
By Paul Theerman Originally published in Hidden Treasure: The National Library of Medicine, 2011. The photograph is dramatic, more dramatic in its own way than the famous one of James Watson and Francis Crick. Like that photograph, this one portrays two young scientists in the throes—the joys—of collaboration. The names are not as well known: […]
January
05
The Road to Health and Happiness, 1937
posted by Circulating Now
By Sarah Eilers The road to abundant life is not hard to follow and it is not expensive. So we are told in the opening frames of the 1937 silent film The Road to Health and Happiness, produced by Salem, Oregon dentist and filmmaker David Bennett Hill. Mental as well as physical habits are key. […]
December
29
Sup on a Syllabub
posted by Circulating Now
By Anne Rothfeld Want an intriguing dessert from the past to satisfy your present day holiday palate? Serve the syllabub: a cream-based treat, mixed with sweet wine and lemon juice, then whipped with cream until frothy, and garnished with a seasonal herb. The acids, which rise from the lemons to firm the cream, then separate […]
December
23
Mr. Kris Kringle, 1893
posted by Circulating Now
By Margaret Kaiser It is Christmas eve, a Christmas with no presents and the loss of the family home, until a surprising visitor appears… Mr. Kris Kringle is the charming and sentimental story of a young family reunited at Christmas through the intercession of a mysterious visitor. It was written by Silas Weir Mitchell to […]
December
20
Don’t be SAD: A Very Brief History of Light Therapy
posted by Circulating Now
By Michael Sappol As December 21, the shortest day of the year approaches, when the gray and dark is at its height and golden sunshine is scarce, it’s easy to feel gloomy. Doctors have a diagnosis for that, Seasonal Affective Disorder (conveniently acronymed as “SAD”), a name coined in the 1980s by Norman E. Rosenthal, […]
December
14
The Cry for Help, 1962
posted by Circulating Now
By Sarah Eilers Fifty years ago, renowned American documentary filmmaker George C. Stoney made a series of short training films tackling a tough topic: how police respond to people who are mentally ill, suicidal, or alcoholic, how to do so more effectively, and why the officers should care. One film in that series, The Cry […]
December
09
Celebrating the Nobel Prize
posted by Circulating Now
By Christie Moffatt The Nobel Prize Award Ceremony takes place tomorrow, December 10, in Stockholm, Sweden, as it does each year, on the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death. These prestigious international awards recognize outstanding achievements in chemistry, economics, literature, peace, physics, and physiology or medicine. On this exciting occasion, and in the spirit of celebrating […]
December
06
A Nurse’s Scrapbook from The Great War
posted by Circulating Now
By Stephen J. Greenberg Anniversaries can be funny things. As we observe (“celebrate” somehow seems wrong in the context) the 100th anniversary of the First World War, it’s not always easy to pick a precise date to mark. What day, exactly, did the war begin? Was it June 28, 1914, the day the Archduke Franz […]
December
01
Trade Cards in The Fight Against AIDS
posted by circulating now
By Ginny A. Roth World AIDS Day is an international observance held on December 1st each year and an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV, and to commemorate those who have died. World AIDS Day was the first ever global […]
November
29
A Book Unfinished: Paracelsus in Hand-Press Sheets
posted by Circulating Now
By Stephen J. Greenberg Books today, as physical objects, have reached a very odd place in our consciousness. Readers are increasingly offered books (or at least texts—there is a difference: books are physical objects; texts are their intellectual contents) in a bewildering array of electronic alternatives. Print (on paper) is dead, we are told, at […]
November
18
Remembering Melvin R. Laird, 1922–2016
posted by Circulating Now
By Jeffrey Reznick The NLM’s History of Medicine Division mourns the passing of Melvin R. Laird, former Republican congressman from Wisconsin (1953–1969), Secretary of Defense under President Richard Nixon (1969–1973), and senior White House Domestic Affairs Advisor (1973–1974) during the resignation of Spiro Agnew and the installation of Vice President Gerald Ford. During the spring […]
November
17
Scrub Away the Thanksgiving Troublemakers
posted by Circulating Now
By Sarah Eilers Pine-cone crafts, cranberry sauce, and…poultry handling. As Thanksgiving and other winter holidays approach, many of us find ourselves thinking about these things. More than 60 years ago, and not just for the holidays, the Communicable Disease Center (now the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) was thinking about food safety, too. In […]
November
15
The Birth of the Physician Assistant
posted by Circulating Now
Circulating Now welcomes guest blogger Loren Miller, PhD. Dr. Miller is a curatorial assistant at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and guest curator of NLM’s exhibition, Physician Assistants: Collaboration and Care. The physician assistant (PA) profession started as a uniquely American career that developed as a reaction to the changing […]
November
11
Physician Veterans of WWI
posted by Circulating Now
By Anne Rothfeld Doctors are vital to the U.S. military branches, and despite the volumes of historical research on their contributions to military medicine, less is said about their professional careers as civilians once their service is done. As America embarks on the centennial of its entry into World War I, and in honor of […]
November
09
$150 for Medical Books 180 Years Later
posted by Circulating Now
By Kenneth M. Koyle Those who are familiar with the history of the National Library of Medicine know that the Library traces its roots to the U.S. Army Surgeon General’s Library. In 2011, the celebration of NLM’s 175th anniversary reminded us that our institution began in 1836. On this, the 180th anniversary, we take a […]
October
31
Palmistry: The Future in the Palm of Your Hand
posted by Circulating Now
By Atalanta Grant-Suttie Some people think palmistry (or chiromancy as it is sometimes known) is hocus pocus and that it is all nonsense. How can lines and bumps in the palm of the hand foretell your future? Yet, you can find palm readers all over the world; you may have one in your area. Palmistry […]
October
27
Fire and Freedom: Food and Enslavement in Early America
posted by Circulating Now
Psyche Williams-Forson, PhD, will speak at 2 PM on November 3 at the National Library of Medicine on “Fire and Freedom: Food and Enslavement in Early America.” Dr. Williams-Forson is guest curator of NLM’s newest exhibition of the same name and Associate Professor and Chair, Department of American Studies, University of Maryland College Park, College […]
October
25
Mark M. Ravitch: A Surgeon’s Surgeon
posted by Circulating Now
By James Labosier and John Rees A new archival collection, The Mark M. Ravitch Papers, 1932-1989, is now available at the National Library of Medicine for those interested in the history of surgery, surgical techniques, and pediatrics. An internationally recognized pediatric surgeon, medical educator, author, and historian, Mark Mitchell Ravitch was born on September 12, […]
October
20
The Punitive Expedition, 1916
posted by Circulating Now
By Stephen J. Greenberg The political situation in Mexico, always a matter of great concern to the United States, was particularly volatile in late 1915 and early 1916. There were several revolutionary armies in the field, fighting the remnants of the government of Victoriano Huerta as well as each other. The fragmented opposition, with a […]
October
14
Truly Translational: Louis Sokoloff and PET Brain Imaging
posted by Circulating Now
By Susan Speaker Twenty-first century medical practitioners have many ways of making images of the inside of the body, including x-rays, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computerized axial tomography (CT scan), and positron emission tomography (PET). These technologies allow physicians to “see” structural abnormalities, and in the case of functional MRI and PET, can show […]
October
12
Marshfield Clinic’s 100-Year Contribution to the Future of Medicine
posted by Circulating Now
Circulating Now welcomes guest blogger Rachel V. Stankowski, PhD, scientific research writer at the Marshfield Clinic, located in Marshfield, Wisconsin. Dr. Stankowski offers a view of the Marshfield clinic on the occasion of its 100th anniversary. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and its National Library of Medicine (NLM) are widely recognized as representing the […]
October
06
Fresh Air and the White Plague
posted by Circulating Now
Circulating Now welcomes guest blogger Cynthia Connolly. Dr. Connolly is Associate Professor of Nursing at the Barbara Bates Center for the Study of the History of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. She is a pediatric nurse and historian. She studies the history of children’s health and social welfare policy and practice in the […]
October
04
Celebrating American Archives Month
posted by Circulating Now
By Rebecca C. Warlow Here at the National Library of Medicine (NLM), and at archives across the country, we are spending October celebrating the unique and interesting collections to be found in archives. Archives are collections of documents and records, in varying formats including hand-written papers, images, audiovisuals, databases and others, that are kept for […]
September
30
Autumn Highlights
posted by circulating now
By Ginny A. Roth The autumnal equinox has come and gone, and what lies ahead of us are cooler temperatures, falling leaves, and the beginning of the holiday season. The upcoming months also bring us national and international observances, holidays, and events, some familiar, some a bit obscure. In recognition of the season, we hope […]
September
27
A Personal Perspective on Race, Opportunity and the U.S. Health System
posted by Circulating Now
Louis W. Sullivan, MD, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services from 1989–1993, will speak on “A Personal Perspective on Race, Opportunity and the U.S. Health System,” at 2pm on October 4 in Lipsett Auditorium, located in Building 10 on the campus of the National Institutes of Health. This talk is part of the NLM’s […]
September
20
Man to Man, 1954
posted by Circulating Now
By Sarah Owen and Sarah Eilers “Sanctuary, refuge, hospital….The doors are locked, but it’s not a prison that we enter….This is his job, his living. This ward is his work world.” The film Man to Man (1954) takes the viewer inside the day-to-day job of ward aide Joe Fuller, who supervises and tries to connect […]
September
13
National Library of Medicine visits a community near you!
posted by Circulating Now
By Patricia Tuohy The National Library of Medicine partners with hundreds of libraries and cultural institutions across the country and around the world in an effort to provide meaningful historical and health related content to audiences in communities near you! The way this happens, is through the Exhibition Program’s traveling exhibition services. For example, in […]
September
08
Big Data: Collaboration, Opportunity, and Outcomes
posted by Circulating Now
Brett Bobley will speak at 2 PM ET on September 20th at the National Library of Medicine on “International Big Data Research in the Humanities & Social Sciences: Collaboration, Opportunity, and Outcomes.” Mr. Bobley is the Chief Information Officer for the National Endowment for the Humanities. He also serves as the Director of the Office of Digital […]
September
02
Color Me Healthy
posted by circulating now
By Ginny A. Roth More than just a tool to keep children occupied, coloring books provide an entertaining, friendly, and interactive medium that can simplify otherwise complicated health-related subjects. Important public-health issues are conveyed to children in coloring books in a way that can transform an unpleasant subject into an engaging learning opportunity. For instance, […]
August
25
America’s National Parks: Preserved for Public Health
posted by Circulating Now
By Anne Rothfeld The National Park Service (NPS) celebrates its centennial on August 25, 2016. From Maine to Hawaii, the breadth of NPS includes parks, seashores, monuments, Indian reservations, and historic sites. America’s parks are filled with an abundance of natural wonders: glaciers and rivers, flora and fauna, animals and insects, canyons and sand dunes, […]
August
18
Olympians Say “No” to Substance Abuse
posted by Circulating Now
by Erika Mills Every two years, the Olympics Games make heroes out of the world’s athletic elite. Champions win worldwide fame, admiration, and influence along with the medals and prize money. But any hero worth their salt knows that with great power, comes great responsibility. Popular athletes have huge sway over public opinion and consumer […]
August
09
Power to the People: Washington Gives Back
posted by Circulating Now
By Jennifer Brier, Anne Armstrong, Julie Kutruff, Erin Carlson Mast, Patricia Tuohy Creative individuals and institutions in Washington DC have moved beyond what often comes to mind when people think of “Washington museums.” Power to the People: Washington Gives Back was a panel featured during this year’s annual conference of the American Alliance of Museums, […]
August
02
Hosting the Representative of Flanders
posted by Circulating Now
By Jeffrey S. Reznick The richness of Flemish history came alive here at the NLM recently, when we were honored to host a visit of Geert De Proost, the General Representative of the Government of Flanders to the United States. He joins a number of VIPs who have graciously turned their attention to our collection […]
July
26
Why me?
posted by circulating now
By Ginny A. Roth We’ve all been there. It’s finally time for that fun summer barbecue. You’re surrounded by family and friends, the weather is warm, the burgers are cooking, and nothing can ruin this perfect evening. Well, almost nothing. While you are lying on your deck chair, eyes closed, and having enjoyed your glorious […]
July
20
The Wonder in Us, 1921
posted by Circulating Now
By Michael Sappol Originally published in Hidden Treasure: The National Library of Medicine, 2011. In the early decades of the twentieth century a modernizing imperative took hold. Suddenly it seemed that a new age was dawning—an era of new technologies, fashions, and political philosophies—modern times. In the aftermath of the Great War (1914–1918), with the […]
July
13
A New Herbal in the Collection
posted by Circulating Now
By Margaret Kaiser The Library has recently acquired a rare work on medicinal plants by Leonhart Fuchs: Le Benefice commun de tout le monde, ou commodité de vie d’un chascun, pour la conservation de santé [the common benefit of all, for the preservation of health], 1555-56. The book is a very small volume, about 4 […]
July
06
Leprosy in India, ca. 1931
posted by Circulating Now
Circulating Now welcomes guest blogger Magnus Vollset. Dr. Vollset is a researcher at the University of Bergen, Norway, and holds a PhD in medical history from the same institution. Leprosy in India [Lepra in India in the original German] is a hard film to watch. In the course of its 12 minutes, it puts before […]
July
01
Three Times Around and Still Circulating
posted by Circulating Now
Three years ago this week, we launched Circulating Now to explore, share, and celebrate the value of the NLM’s world-renowned historical collections and programs for research, education, enrichment, and learning about the human condition. By several measures, we’ve achieved our goal. In three years Circulating Now has given voice to over 100 individuals—from guest writers […]
June
28
Web Collecting During the Zika Outbreak
posted by Circulating Now
By Christie Moffatt This week is “Mosquito Control Awareness week,” and agencies across the Department of Health and Human Services are taking this opportunity to share (and hoping that you’ll help re-share) guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on ways to control mosquitoes in and around your home, an important […]
June
23
Apply Now! A New History Fellowship at NLM
posted by Circulating Now
By Jeffrey S. Reznick Earlier this year, the National Library of Medicine announced its receipt of a generous gift from The DeBakey Medical Foundation to support enhanced access to the Michael E. DeBakey Archives at the NLM, and to establish the Michael E. DeBakey Fellowship in the History of Medicine. The NLM is pleased to […]
June
14
The Origins and Evolution of the Mayo Clinic
posted by Circulating Now
Bruce Fye will give the annual James H. Cassedy Memorial Lecture on June 22, 2016 at the National Library of Medicine on “The Origins and Evolution of the Mayo Clinic from 1864 to 1939: A Minnesota Family Practice Becomes an International ‘Medical Mecca.’” Dr. Fye is an emeritus professor of medicine and the history of medicine […]
May
31
Images from the History of Medicine is Moving to NLM Digital Collections
posted by circulating now
By Ginny A. Roth On June 1, 2016, Images from the History Medicine (IHM), the National Library of Medicine (NLM), History of Medicine Division’s (HMD) online database of historical images, will be decommissioned from its current Luna Imaging platform, and formally launched in its new home in NLM’s Digital Collections, the Library’s free online […]
May
27
Memories of the Civil War
posted by Circulating Now
By Stephen J. Greenberg Although the American Civil War was not the first armed conflict to be extensively photographed (that dubious distinction belongs to the Crimean War of 1853–1856, where Great Britain and France fought with Russia over control of the Black Sea and access to the Eastern Mediterranean), the conflict between North and South […]
May
24
Vulnerability to Covert Attack, 1959
posted by Circulating Now
By Sarah Eilers Vulnerability to Covert Attack. The film title seems as relevant today as it must have when it was made, in the Cold War days of 1959. In the 1950s and ’60s, the United States government produced, or supported the production of, scores of films concerning the threat of atomic, biological, and chemical […]
