THE ARMY MEDICAL MUSEUM 
AND LIBRARY. 
BY DR. D. L. HUNTINGTON, 
Deputy Surgeon-General, U. S. A., 
In Charge of Army Medical Museum and Library. 
[Read before the Union Meeting of the Maryland State and the Washington City Dental 
Societies, May 8, 1896.] 
It is with much pleasure that I respond to the invitation of 
the chairman of your joint committee of arrangements to make 
a few remarks relative to the Library of the Surgeon-General’s 
Office and Army Medical Museum, in connection with the reso- 
lution adopted by the thirty-sixth annual meeting of the Ameri- 
can Dental Association, formally recognizing the Library of the 
Surgeon-General’s Office and Army Medical Museum as the Na- 
tional Library and Museum of the dental profession of the United 
States. 
In acknowledging the honor thus conferred upon us, I have, as 
librarian and officer in charge of the library and museum di- 
vision of the Surgeon-General’s Office, communicated with your 
chairman, stating that we shall be most happy to co-operate with 
your committee, and with the dental profession of the country, 
in forming a collection thoroughly illustrative of all matters per- 
taining to the subject of dentistry, and trust that, with an increas- 
ing knowledge of our facilities, a genuine interest may be mani- 
fested in carrying into execution a work so important to you and 
advantageous to ourselves. 
It has, therefore, seemed proper that I should give you a very 
brief account of these institutions, which are so well known to 
the medical profession at home and abroad, as well as of their 
scope and capabilities, that you may feel assured of the wisdom 
of your action in selecting them as the national repository for all 
matters of interest pertaining to your specialty. 2 
Previous to the late Civil War, the Library of the Surgeon- 
General’s Office was composed of a few hundred books on medi- 
cine and surgery and collateral branches; very much such a 
collection as might naturally collect in the office of the chief of 
an important bureau. 
Few additions were made to this collection until the year 1865, 
when Dr. John S. Billings, then an assistant surgeon of the army, 
was detailed to take charge of it. Dr. Billings at once recognized 
the value of the opportunity thus presented for laying the founda- 
tion of a great national medical library. As a result of his en- 
ergy, knowledge, and judgment, we have to-day the magnificent 
Library, of the Surgeon-General’s Office. 
In the earlier years of its growth this collection was placed in 
the old Ford Theater building, which, after the tragic assassina- 
tion of President Lincoln, was purchased by the Government and 
turned over to the medical department of the army for the use of 
the Library and Medical Museum. 
Aided by liberal appropriations from Congress and directed 
by the energy and perseverance of Dr. Billings, the growth of 
the library has been phenomenal. In a few years its constantly 
increasing size and value, as well as the continual menace of de- 
struction or damage by fire in the old and exposed building, 
made it imperative to provide secure and ample accommodations 
elsewhere. 
In I860, Congress passed a bill appropriating the requisite 
funds for the erection of a spacious fire-proof building. This 
building, located near the National Museum and Smithsonian In- 
stitution, was completed and occupied in 1887. From that date 
to the present time its growth has been continuous, until it has 
now come to be acknowledged “ the most complete medical 
library in the world,” containing on its shelves to-day about one 
hundred and twenty thousand volumes of bound books and 
about two hundred thousand pamphlets, together with a most 
valuable collection of atlases of plates and engravings illustrating 
anatomy, surgery, physiology, and obstetrics. 
In its general scope the library is intended to cover the entire 
field of medical and surgical literature, making it possible for 
the student to avail himself of the writings and teachings of all 
countries and all times, with the least possible loss of time and 
labor. While intended mainly as a reference library, a certain 
latitude is observed by the management with a view to making it 
as useful as possible to the medical profession, and especially 
to students and writers, by loaning to well-established medical 3 
societies and1’ libraries of prominent medical colleges such books 
as may be called for, upon the condition that these bodies will 
guarantee the care and return of books loaned, and be responsi- 
ble for all losses and damages which may occur. 
Rare and valuable books and manuscripts, plates, unbound 
books, and theses, whose loss cannot be easily replaced, are not 
loaned. 
Connected with the library is a reading-room, where all the 
current journals and periodicals are kept on file for the conveni- 
ence of those desiring to consult them. To those making special 
studies in any line of the profession we are prepared to afford all 
possible facilities. 
The annual list of journals and periodicals subscribed for and 
received at the library amounts to over eleven hundred, and em- 
braces all subjects pertaining to the literature of medicine at 
home and abroad. The machinery for the increase of the li- 
brary is complete. Through agents in all the principal cities of 
the world, we are constantly receiving not only the current and 
latest medical literature, but frequently have the opportunity to 
secure rare and valuable works of past centuries. The apprecia- 
tion in which this library is held is best evidenced by the fre- 
quent and large donations of books and pamphlets from every 
source, among which are many duplicates of works in our posses- 
sion, which afford us the means of obtaining desirable additions 
through exchange. 
The library receives its main support from the liberality of 
Congress. Since the year 1867 up to the present time, the appro- 
priations of this body for the support of the library have aver- 
aged about seven thousand dollars annually, which enables us, 
with a fair degree of certainty, to keep our journal files complete 
and make very considerable additions of new books, as well as 
insuring a small annual amount for the purchase of old and 
rare books and curiosities of medical literature. The practical 
value and utility of this collection is proven daily b}r the mem- 
bers of the profession, who make regular use of the facilities of- 
fered—by the interest shown by medical men from the United 
States and from abroad. The reading-room is constantly occu- 
pied by readers, students, and investigators. This vast wealth of 
medical literature is made accessible to the profession through 
the medium of the Index Catalogue, which is at present com- 
prised of sixteen large octavo volumes of about one thousand pages 
each. This work was begun in 1879, and has progressed con- 
tinuously at the rate of one volume per year. The catalogue is 4 
arranged by authors and subjects, and may fairly be considered 
“ as practically an index to all the medical literature of the world 
up to the end of this century.” 
The large accessions of material since the publication of any 
one of the volumes are carefully carded, and will appear in a 
second series of volumes, the first of which is now in the course 
of preparation, to be followed by as many more as may be re- 
quired and dependent upon the continued liberality of Con- 
gress. A comparatively small edition of these volumes is 
printed, and is distributed mainly to medical libraries, medical 
colleges, and to certain of the larger public libraries of the United 
States and Europe. 
By reference to this Index Catalogue, Vol. Ill, 1882, under 
the proper heading of “ Dental,” “ Dentists,” and “ Dentistry,” 
you will find not less than six closely printed pages, or thirteen 
columns, referring to works and journals under these captions. 
Since the publication of this volume, the additions to the library 
on these subjects have been very large, and will be printed in 
their proper volume of the second series. 
Of journals and periodicals pertaining to dentistry, our list 
embraces all of the best throughout the world, and from our 
agents we are continually receiving the latest works on the 
subject. 
The Army Medical Museum, occupying the eastern wing of 
the building already alluded to, is also of comparatively recent 
origin, and owes its existence to ex-Surgeon-General W. A. 
Hammond, who, in 1862, issued a circular stating that it was 
“ proposed to establish in Washington an Army Medical Mu- 
seum,” and directing medical officers of the army “ diligently to 
collect and forward to the office of the Surgeon-General all speci- 
mens of morbid anatomy, surgical and medical, which may be 
regarded as valuable; together with projectiles and foreign bodies 
removed, and such other matters as may prove of interest in the 
study of military medicine and surgery.” The response to this 
circular was immediate and gratifying. From the large general 
hospitals and from the battle-fields, as well as from private 
sources, came extensive contributions to this enterprise, so that a 
catalogue, printed in 1866, showed a collection of 7,716 specimens 
of all kinds. To the administrative ability and personal interest 
of Surgeon-General J. K. Barnes we are indebted for the success- 
ful establishment of this museum on a permanent basis. Suc- 
ceeding Surgeons-General have manifested similar interest in per- 
petuating and fostering its growth. 5 
To Drs. John H. Brinton, J. J. Woodward, George A. Otis, J. S. 
Billings and others are due its scientific value and importance, 
each of these gentlemen having given time, care, and learning in 
building it up to its present condition. 
On the completion of the new library and museum building, 
this collection was transferred from the old Ford’s Theater build- 
ing, with the library, to its present spacious and secure quarters. 
At the present time the collection contains over 33,702 speci- 
mens of all kinds, which may be divided as follows : 
Pathological, 12,164 ; • human anatomy (normal), 4,470 ; com- 
parative anatomy, 1,717; microscopical specimens, 12,457; medals, 
1,205; instruments and apparatus, 1,044; microscopes (showing 
evolution of the instrument), 188 ; miscellaneous, 457. 
The annual addition of specimens in all the above lines is large 
and constantly increasing. 
Connected with the museum are extensive, pathological and 
bacteriological laboratories which serve as important feeders to 
the main collection. * * * 
It would be useless and tedious to enter upon a detailed descrip- 
tion of this collection; it must suffice to say that as a storehouse 
of the results of military medicine and surgery of thirty years ago 
it is probably the most unique and valuable collection in the 
world, affording a curious and interesting compartive study of 
methods and treatment of that period with the advanced views 
and practice of to-day. 
But this museum is not solely a receptacle for the results of 
the work of the past; it has kept well abreast of the times, and 
presents in its later accumulation the evidences of the advance 
of scientific medicine and surgeiy. Departing from its original 
limitation to military medicine and surgery, our museum has 
greatly extended its scope, and now includes the departments of 
human anatomy and osteology, physiology, embryology, pathology, 
and anthropology, with illustrations of the methods of research 
connected with all the branches of practical medicine. 
As will be seen by referring to the classification of specimens, 
we have made the largest use of photography and micro-pho- 
tographv in illustrating tissues and structures of the human body. 
Within our miscellaneous department are included models for 
the stud}r of veterinary medicine and surgery, and some space is 
devoted to prosthetic apparatus, and to instruments and appli- 
ances used in the several departments of medicine and surgery ; 
in fact, we desire by this museum to effect through object teaching 
that which is secured in the library by written works and treatises, 6 
viz, a thorough illustration of the science of medicine as it is 
found at the present day. 
In this ver}’ brief description of the museum and its scope 
I have hardly done more than give to it a “ certificate of 
character,” for I feel that I must not encroach too much upon 
the time which has been so kindly allotted to me, and. I now 
desire to come to the point of what I have to say relative to 
dentistry. 
Our museum is not so well furnished with material relating to 
your profession as is our library. The collection of books and 
journals is a part of the library management, and it is our care 
to see thq,t the several departments of medicine are well and har- 
moniously rounded out. 
Books and journals we can obtain by purchase ; specimens 
pertaining to your daily work, illustrative of normal and morbid 
dentition, and of diseases of the oral cavity, we cannot make, nor can 
we always buy; therefore I appeal to you, individually and col- 
lectively, to manifest not only sympathy in the proposed move- 
ment, but to give evidence of a practical interest by contributions, 
that we may be able to erect within our hall an exhibit of 
dentistry which shall be worthy of your profession. 
By gifts and by limited purchases we have already what may 
be called a nucleus for siich an exhibit. We have sufficient 
space and all the facilities necessary for the purpose, and all we 
ask is the material. Look through your private collections and 
separate such specimens as, in your opinion, would be appreci- 
ated by your dental brethren, if placed where they could be seen 
and studied. Throughout this country there must be thousands 
of such specimens which, if collected in one place, would form an 
unrivaled exhibit, to say nothing of their value as means of 
instruction to the student and investigator. 
You may ask me what we especially desire for this exhibit? I 
would suggest casts, photographs, and specimens of normal, 
morbid, and anomalous dentition, of diseases of the maxilko and 
oral cavity ; photographs and casts of surgical operations, pros- 
thetic apparatus of all kinds used in your work, new instruments, 
and specimens of mechanical work, and any miscellaneous mate- 
rial which may lend an interest to the subject of dentistry. All 
specimens intended for the museum should be accurately labeled 
and accompanied by a concise description and history of the case, 
when possible. 
Do not be deterred from making contributions on the ground 
that we probably have many such specimens as the one proposed 7 
to be sent. Of all things we need duplicates, not only for inter- 
comparison, but for the purposes of exchange with other institu- 
tions, whereby both our own and others are benefited. 
It is not necessary that you should attempt to mount your speci- 
mens; send them to us as they are, and they will be prepared 
and mounted by our pathologist. 
Neither is it necessary that freight or express charges be pre- 
paid ; address your contributions to the Curator of the Arm}7 
Medical Museum, Washington, D. C., and they will be received 
and cared for. 
So soon as the number of contributions relating to the subject 
of dentistry will warrant, it is the intention of the management 
of the Museum to collect them together into one department 
where they can be exhibited and studied to. the best advantage ; 
it is also proposed to appropriate a certain amount annually for 
the purchase of models, preparations and appliances pertaining 
to dentistry. 
In common with medicine and surgery and their collateral 
branches, dentistry has made great strides of advancement during 
the last quarter-century. Your methods of instruction and train- 
ing have constantly improved ; your text-books and treatises are 
becoming fuller and more complete; your journal literature 
abounds in thoughtful, live articles, showing a just appreciation 
of the demands of the age, as well as of the necessity for basing 
the superstructure of your specialty on the broad foundation of a 
thorough knowledge of general anatomy, physiology, and pa- 
thology; your professional future promises still greater advance 
and progress. 
Now, in what way can our Museum contribute to your pro- 
fessional benefit? I would answer that such a collection is an 
educator; a means for the diffusion of useful special knowlege. 
Within our walls you will find a record of what has been done 
mid what is being done. It is the function of the Museum to 
preserve this record for all time. By the study of its collection 
you will be enabled to make comparison of the methods of prac- 
tice and the modes of thought of your professional co-workers; 
to enlarge your knowledge of normal and abnormal and anoma- 
lous development; to study pathology in forms which may not 
have previously met your eye; finally, to enlarge generally your 
powers of observation and widen your views. 
It has been a fundamental idea in the origin and development 
of this Museum, and especially with my predecessor, Dr. Billings, 
that this collection should be not merely a repository of the curious 8 
and interesting in medical science, but also a school for the dem- 
onstration of methods of research for the benefit of investigators 
and teachers. 
It is for this purpose that I ask your interest and action in 
carrying out the spirit and intent of the resolution of the Ameri- 
can Dental Association, by assisting us to build up a creditable 
exhibit of your specialty, which in time shall be an important 
and invaluable aid to your students and practitioners. 
As I have before said, you shall have the cordial co-operation 
of our management in making this department equal to any 
other of the Museum; and, in closing, I heartily invite you, dur- 
ing your session in this city, to visit both the Library and the Mu- 
seum, and see for yourselves what can be but imperfectly 
described in so limited a time.