THE ·OSLER·LI BRARY·NEWSLE TTER· NUMBER 103 · 2005 Osler Library of the History of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal (Québec) Canada

• IN THIS ISSUE THE CUSHING – CAMAC CORRESPONDENCE

THIS SPRING THE AMERICAN OSLER SOCIETY n 1980 Jack McGovern and I held its thirty-fifth annual meeting in Pasadena, published a book we called Student California, to honour the career of Dr. Earl Nation, I and Chief; the Osler-Camac Corres- pondence. In the introduction it was urologist, medical historian, Charter Member of the explained that C.N.B. Camac’s American Osler Society, and a dynamic Oslerian who papers, collected in three large this year celebrates his 95th birthday. Long familiar to the scrapbooks, are in the Huntington Osler staff, Dr. Nation has published four books about Library. In addition to the Osler William Osler, including the two volume An Annotated letters, and many other things, there are several letters from Harvey Checklist of Osleriana, plus about 300 articles on the topics Cushing. These reflect a friendship of urology, chemistry, history and humanism. To underline going back to their days in training his publications, Dr. John Carson recently compiled An at Johns Hopkins. Unfortunately, Annotated Checklist of Nationiana. In our newsletter Dr. Nation Camac kept few copies of his own turns his attention to a series of letters, (which narrowly letters. escaped destruction) between Osler’s biographer Dr. One charming note from Cushing to Camac is not there but is found in Harvey Cushing, (1869-1939) and Dr. Charles Camac, John Fulton’s biography of Cushing (1868-1940) who in 1896 became Osler’s Assistant (p. 135). First, let us set the stage for Resident in Medicine at Johns Hopkins Hospital. These it. Camac had succeeded William fascinating letters provide insight into how Cushing Sydney Thayer as Assistant Resident prepared for his biography of Osler and testify to his in Medicine at Johns Hopkins in Photograph of Harvey Cushing 1896. Cushing had left Massachusetts gratitude to Charles Camac for his help in the huge General Hospital for Johns Hopkins inscribed in December 1924 undertaking. in the fall of 1896 to become surgical to Wilder Penfield. resident under Halsted. Cushing was Courtesy of Yale University, Dr. Earl Nation received a “Carrie A. Nation” quilt then 27 years old. In September 1897 Cushing Harvey/John Hay Whitney stitched by Donna Hennessee Bryan at the annual developed acute appendicitis. His Medical Library and Wilder American Osler Society banquet held at the Huntington account of his own illness and Penfield Archive, Osler Library. Library. The pattern honours Dr. Nation’s Great Aunt operation are told graphically by Fulton. On September 28, 1897 Carrie, redoubtable temperance and anti-tobacco Harvey Cushing left a note in his Despite a wound disruption Cushing crusader. friend Camac’s room just before was able to attend Camac’s wedding going into surgery for an in New York City two months later. appendectomy: At Christmas that year there came a copy of Shakespeare’s sonnets, As I have often told patients, there is published by T.M. Dent & Co., a certain amount of danger in all Aldine House, London. Camac wrote operations; similarly some danger in “December 25, 1897” in it. Cushing getting on to a streetcar – about even appended a reference to sonnet they are. Quae cum ita sint. I write you XXIX, marked, “Mein lieblingsvers, a small missive giving you the H.W.C.” This sonnet begins: privilege of distributing my things, books etc. among the staff. ‘Auf • wiedersehen,’ I hope.

·1· • When, in disgrace with fortune and men’s eyes, Peter Bent Brigham Hospital them for they are a precious lot. I I all alone beweep my outcast state Huntington Avenue have taken the liberty of copying a And trouble deaf heaven with my footless cries and Francis Street few of them, and others have been And look upon myself and curse my fate Mail address, Fenway Station of value in enabling me to locate him Wishing me like one more rich in hope, Boston 17 at various times and places. Please look up in letter no. 91 and March 17, 1920 let me know what the joke was about After one year at Johns Hopkins, My Dear Charles; “Counsels and Ideals”. I cant [sic] read …this during which he also became well It is long since I have written to you the second word. missive is to acquainted with William Osler, or heard from you. The occasion for What a ten-strike you made with Camac moved to New York City to this missive is to let you know that the admirable selection of quotations let you know join his brother-in-law, Henry D. Lady Osler has shouldered me with a[n]d how pleased they both were that Lady Nicoll in the practice of medicine. He the task of undertaking W.O.’s with it. It must have been an later became director of the biography. I wi[s]h that she had lit enormous satisfaction to you. Osler has laboratory of clinical pathology in upon you, for you are so familiar with Mackall tells me that you are getting shouldered me the Cornell School of Medicine. his writing that you could have done ready for another edition, which The first Cushing letter to appear it not only with much less labor but ought to have as great a success [as] with the in Camac’s collection is one written infinitely better. However, I shall the first. I am so glad you are doing task of by hand in 1909. It followed the have to do what I can with the help it. publication in that year by Camac of of his many friends. I must have written to you after undertaking Epoch-Making Contributions to Medicine, Now, will you, when you have Lady Osler asked me to attempt the W.O.’s Surgery and the Allied Sciences: time, go over your letters and let me biography, to jot down for me the have every little scrap that you have things which you ran across of an biography. I Dr. Harvey Cushing from him, adding dates so far as you autobiographical nature; such things 107 East Chase St. can, for he rarely put anything down as you might not be likely to utilize wi[s]h that Baltimore, except to enumerate the day. yourself for your own purposes. she had lit Will you also, when you are going You must be hard at it as the rest Dear Charles, over his writings for the new edition of us are trying to get reestablished upon you,… The Epoch-making Contributions of “Counsels and Ideals” which after our army service period. I hope are bully – what a good idea it was! Mackall tells me you are preparing – everything goes well with you, and I And you have gone about the matter will you, I say, bear in mind this shall try and drop in on you any time with your usual delightful touch. I am matter and note down all things I am in New York. so glad you sent me a copy and I which are of biographical interest so expect you to inscribe it someday far as he is concerned. He put a good Always affectionately yours, when you are hereabouts. I shall hand deal of himself into his writings from Harvey Cushing on the one I purchased to some other. time to time, and it will spare me PSS. Everyone ought to have a copy and I enormously if while you are making I am sending you a copy of the reprint hope it will have a huge sale. But that this review you will keep his own of the Classical Association address. is not why you did it, I know, and I biography, as well, in the back of your I wrote the preamble early in January envy you the fun you had ‘a doing of head. at the request of Houghton Mifflin it’. I do hope that you have a large before I knew I was to be shouldered batch of letters and that there may with this important task. 1909 be some long ones, though even bare Ever affect. notes on post cards are desired. In the second paragraph of the letter Harvey Cushing above Cushing asks Camac to look Always sincerely yours, up Osler’s letter numbered by Camac In 1905 Camac had published his Harvey Cushing “91”. This letter is to be found in Counsels and Ideals From the Writings of Student and Chief on page 71. It is dated William Osler. There is no acknow- A month later Cushing is returning Sept.25 [08]. Toward the end Osler ledgement of this first edition of to Camac the Osler correspondence writes: “I am glad to see the “Counsels Camac’s book at the time by Cushing, he had sent in response to Cushing’s and Sidevils,” as I heard it called, has although he refers to it in the next request: reached a 4th impression, & such a letter in the collection. This followed success it has had.” the war years and the death of Sir Peter Bent Brigham Hospital On May 1, 1920 there follows William Osler. Meantime a shipment 721 Huntington Avenue, Boston 17, another letter from Cushing, once of Camac’s book had gone down with Mass. again expressing his wonderment at a ship from England sunk by a German having been chosen by Lady Osler submarine and he was working on a April 28, 1920 to write the biography. The new, enlarged edition which was Dear Charles, enigmatic reference to Camac’s notes finally published in 1921, with a I am sending back your Osler letters and reminiscences is not answered in second impression in 1929. Cushing by parcel post, insured. I hope this is Camac’s papers. The letter follows: mentions this in the next letter: not taking any undue chances with • ·2· Peter Bent Brigham Hospital Cushing later wrote to the secretary friendship and good fellowship 721 Huntington Avenue, Boston 17, of the Charaka Club, Dr. Ward A. shown him. It was a heart to heart Mass. Holden, about these matters: talk which won him applause and congratulations.” May 1st 1920 Peter Bent Brigham Hospital Osler’s only paper published in the Dear Charles; 721 Huntington Avenue Proceedings is the long one on Thanks for your letter of the 20th. I Boston 17, Mass. “Fracastorius.” It appears in Vol. II. think we all more or less share in this Talks given by him and not published same feeling and it was because of it September 2, 1922 were: “On Linacre;” “Oxford;” I can’t that I submitted to Lady Osler’s Dr. Ward A. Holden “Imaginary Libraries;” and “Libraries imagine why request. I can’t imagine why she 8 East Fifty-fourth Street of France and Italy.” singled me out unless it was for some New York City. The Richard MacDonnell referred she singled me sentimental feeling owing to my to in the second paragraph of out unless it having been with Revere at the end. Dear Holden: (referred to me as Cushing’s letter of October 21st, was It meant a great deal more to them secretary) an old friend of Osler. He beat out was for some than I could possibly have realized. I want to bring the Charaka Club into F.W. Campbell as Osler’s successor on sentimental I should greatly like to have the the Osler biography. I find to my the Board of the Montreal General notes you jotted down subsequent to distress that I do not have Vol. I and Hospital when Osler resigned in feeling owing his talks. Never mind if they are II of the proceedings. Do you 1885. Dr. F.J. Shepherd was Osler’s to my having incomplete. suppose I can get them anywhere? student-days friend and later a What a curious reminiscence you Have you minutes of the meetings, distinguished Canadian surgeon. been with have closed with. If it had come to and could you let me know, (1) when In response to Cushing’s request for Revere at the you to be my executor in those days W. O. was elected a member; (2) the Camac to send him anecdotes you would have found very poor dates of the meetings he attended, if relating to Osler, Camac responds end. It meant pickings. any, and (3) the dates and titles of with the following: the papers he read, if any? a great deal Always Yours, I will be hugely obliged; and will Dear Harvey, more to them Harvey Cushing you answer on this same sheet below You asked for anecdotes – these lose to save us both some trouble. so much in the recording that I doubt than I could The next holograph letter from their value for your purposes – they possibly have Cushing to Camac is dated October Very sincerely yours, must be told in conversation – and 21, 1921: Harvey Cushing. the audience must be sympathetic realized. and the occasion suitable. Have you Peter Bent Brigham Hospital The Charaka Club was organized in the “Born again to the microscope” 721 Huntington Avenue, Boston 17, 1898 by a group of medical men of and the “etwas Anders” stories? Then Mass. New York City “who were interested there is the deaf guest at No. 1 in the literary, artistic and historical Franklin Street. October 21st 1921 aspects of medicine, and who hoped The Chief told the “somewhat Dear Charles; to find some recreation if not profit Anders” story at a little luncheon I Thanks so much for your postal and in dealing with this, the less serious had for him at the University Club for its note regarding the Charaka side of their art.” Volume I of their [with Hopkins staff and house Have you the Club dinner of March 4th, 1905. I do proceedings was published in 1902. officers as guests also – 1903 – the “Born again wish that you would let me see the In it Osler is listed as an honorary occasion when Osler was presented material, and the letter to Dana. member. In Volume II, published in with the newly completed 63 volume to the Can you give me Miss 1906, he is listed among the 16 Dictionary of National Biography]. You microscope” MacDonnell’s address? I suppose it is regular members. Charles L. Dana have no doubt heard him tell it. It Richard MacDonnell’s sister, and I do was one of the three members of the may not be wise to publish this as and the not find that I have ever corres- Committee of Publication. He Anders is living and his book is still “etwas ponded with her, although I have a presided at the dinner at the going. few letters from William Osler to her University Club honoring Dr. Osler Then the novice intern (who was Anders” brother though how in the world I on March 4, 1905. There were myself) pressing him for details of got them I can[sic]t imagine, unless numerous speeches, much honor and treatment in a heart case on whom stories? they were sent to me by Shepherd. the affair closed with the long poem the Chief had just finished a brilliant by S. Weir Mitchell, entitled, “Books clinic which left the listeners deep in Always sincerely yours, and the Man.” The account of the thought regarding the pathology of Harvey meeting in Vol. II of the Proceedings valve lesions and the delicate P.S. I am obliged for your hint to closes with: “Dr. Osler’s speech in mechanisms of compensation. The appeal to Blackader once more. He acknowledgement of the ovation intern, being ward physician, was by finally sent me some letters which I given him was in the nature of a short the side of his chief at the head of was very glad to have. story of his professional life, told the large audience as we moved from simply and eloquently, and ending the bed side. In a quiet voice the with warm appreciation of the intern repeated his question ·3· • regarding treatment and in an even Chief, but will those who did not know member of the profession rather quieter voice The Chief said “give him feel the same? However, I am glad eloquently, deplored the loss of him strychnia.” But the novice you asked me, for it has done me good bedside acumen and underrated the pressed further as to the dose; the to express some of these thoughts. Do microscope and laboratory aids in Chief almost whispered “oh give him with them as you think best. general. It was at a time, in medical a grain, but ask Thayer first.” The progress, when the clinical laboratory intern was aroused and when later he Yours affectionately, and clinical pathology were asked Thayer the novice had C– struggling for recognition against the …for it was awakened fully to his opportunities Sept. 8 ‘22 opposition of the older but still evident that and the significance of this gentle influential members of the profession. method of mind opening. I saw this Cushing thanks Camac three days The opposing ones were those who on that method employed many times on all later in a typewritten letter: “were not awake with the dawn” and afternoon this sorts of conditions of men in after who, being unfamiliar with the newer years, the last being in the Radcliffe Peter Bent Brigham Hospital methods in diagnosis, sought to particular Infirmary. I was visiting a visiting 721 Huntington Avenue justify their unfamiliarity by young man guest. The Regius Professor was Boston 17, Mass. disclaiming and in some cases being attended by an intern whose deriding these newer methods. From had been the mind seemed to be engaged in September 11, 1922. the eminence of the position of some individual contemplation of the trees, as he Dr. C.N.B. Camac of these opponents, clinical gazed languidly through the open 76 East 56th St., N.Y. pathology was experiencing object on window. The case under study at the unnecessary difficulties from lack of whom the time was one of cervical adenitis, Dear Charles:– equipment, laboratory space and which the intern voluntarily and with Thanks hugely for the anecdotes. The appropriation. At the meeting great master air of bored finality had diagnosed as “born again to the microscope” I do referred to, the speaker had made “tuberculous.” “Had the blood been not know, nor “The deaf guest at 1 some impression by his eloquence teacher had examined?” “No.” “Would it not be West Franklin Street.” The “Osler mit and rebuttal was in order. The Chief poured his interesting to look at the blood?” etwas Anders” was Charles Martin’s rose and, after a few remarks about “Possibly.” Then followed the clinic. title of his review of Anders’ book. the value of the clinical laboratory marvelous I watched the intern. The trees lost Your stories about his method of studies concluded his discussion by influence. their charm, the languid attitude was ‘mind opening’ are excellent and I stating that the last speaker – and passing, there was a light beginning hope I shall be able to work them in. those who felt as the speaker did to come into the dull eyes of the But do give me the deaf guest and the “should be born again to the intern. It was a fascinating process, microscopes stories. microscope.” The effect on the this mental awakening. There were audience was instantaneous and the the three of us besides the nurse at Always yours; story of the former speaker lay the bedside, so there could be one H.C. shattered like dead leaves after a brisk object only in this painstaking, autumn breeze. searching clinic. As we left the ward, In a footnote on page 473 of Vol. I of I was not present at this meeting, the Regius Professor took up some The Life Cushing explains the Anders but the distinguished practitioner, to other hospital matters and the intern reference: whom this remark was addressed, excused himself, to return later, just came to see me a few days later, and as we were leaving the building. An Naturally it [The Principles and Practice asked me to come to the institution alert, bright-eyed, somewhat flushed of Medicine] was the source of (in which he had administrative young man whom one would imitation, but by his revisions Osler influence) for the purpose of looking accurately believe to be the same, kept well ahead of them. His friend over his building to select space and who had met us an hour or so before James M. Anders of Philadelphia had to discuss ways and means for the addressed us. “I beg your pardon sir, issued, through a rival publishing- establishment of a clinical laboratory. but would you mind having a look at house in 1897, a ‘Text-book of the Regeneration had, to a certain extent some blood specimens, which I have Practice of Medicine’ arranged in taken place, through the Chief’s quiet stained, from the case which you similar lines. Some wag wrote a baptizing. were demonstrating to us?” The review of it, under the title Osler mit Have you “the drag net method of intern, being an Englishman, was etwas Anders. diagnosis?” I think it occurred in the suppressing his emotions, but with discussion, by the Chief, of Solis- poor success, for it was evident that On September 12 Camac responds Cohen’s article on vaso-motor on that afternoon this particular to Cushing’s request for more stories: diseases presented before the Assoc. young man had been the individual Am. Phys. object on whom the great master September 12th, ‘22 I just recall my visit to old Mrs. teacher had poured his marvelous Osler shortly before the Chief was influence. “Born Again to the Microscope” to leave for Oxford. He went to bid You and I, Harvey, used to talk over her “good bye.” Her parting these subtle influences which At a medical meeting (place, date and admonition was, “Remember, pervaded the atmosphere about the society unknown to me) an elderly William, the shutters in England will • ·4· rattle as they do in America.” Mrs. Dr. Harvey Cushing The last surviving letter from Osler was nearing her 100th year. Peter Bent Brigham Hospital Cushing to Camac is written in the I am looking up the Charaka Boston, Mass. fall of 1933, following the move to minutes for you. Did you get the New Haven: Charaka volumes nos. 1 and 2 from July 23rd, 1933 Dr. Charles Dr. George Walton in Boston? Dear Charles,– N.B. Camac So nice of you! I am glad you liked [There was no other mention of the my sketch of Councilman. It was blind guest at No. 1 Franklin Street written con amore. Can’t we love a story.] person for his faults as well as his merits? Certainly he had both in The next Cushing letter in the abundant measure. collection is dated August 2, 1923: My plans? To go to New Haven in the autumn if I can finish a book this Peter Bent Brigham Hospital summer – not so easy to do as when 721 Huntington Avenue we were younger. Don’t you find that Boston 17, Mass. this is so, increasing difficulty in sustained labor? And what a August 2, 1923 transplantation will do to me at our Dear Charles: late time of life is uncertain – even of Of course! How utterly stupid of me. younger people like Counce – even I was trying to read something quite of you and me almost as long ago. different into the epigram of Ellen But at least it will bring me nearer Pickton Osler. It is, as you say, to New York and I hope I may see epitomized philosophy. They both more of you than has been possible had plenty of it. these past years. Thanks for your good wishes. I am having the usual amateur’s difficulty Affty, in eliminating what, to me, are H.C. precious and illuminating things. I wish you could come on and spend a William T. Councilman had died on few days with me, and help me to boil 26 May and Cushing had written a them down. warm appreciation. Councilman had admired Cushing Always yours, since the Hopkins days and was Harvey C. credited with having brought Cushing to Harvard. In October Yale University I am having In this letter Cushing gives a hint of 1921 Cushing had reluctantly agreed The School of Medicine the problems he is having in to prepare an address for Ether Day. 333 Cedar Street the usual composing The Life. He once said that It was designated as “The personality New Haven, Connecticut amateur’s with the experience of Volume I of a hospital,” and many considered behind him, Volume II came more it one of Cushing’s finest addresses. November 21, 1933 difficulty in easily and was therefore better. He He extended his allotted twenty Dear Charles; eliminating was not able to devote himself minutes to forty-five. Councilman I am just back from abroad and find completely to the biography at this later responded with a long, your letter about the disposition of what, to me, period. Fulton says that between complimentary letter to “My dear your Osler documents. I think it is are precious 1920 and 1924, when the last of the Cushing.” Among other things he altogether the proper thing that they manuscript went to the printer, said, “I think it was the best address should go to McGill. I have sent a and Cushing turned out an average of one of the kind I ever heard and it made great case of papers and documents illuminating paper a month. me feel that I possibly may be and copies of letters up there myself. There is a hiatus of ten years in regarded as an inconspicuous brick It is best that everything should go things. Cushing’s letters to Camac. The next in a good building.” to one place, and the Osler Library is dated July 23, 1933, the year The story of Cushing’s move to is the natural depository for them. I Cushing was 64: Yale as professor of neurology in the shall pass the word around to fall of 1933, at the age of 64, is well everyone I see. Just how this ought known. Fulton wrote: “His departure to be made known I don’t foresee. It from the institution which he had is possible that if some such served for twenty years passed suggestion should be made public, it unnoticed.” might merely serve to make other institutions, Osler Clubs, academies and so on to go gunning for Osler documents on their own. ·5· • So perhaps the best thing to do is in the circumstances described below to spread the word around, and I shall in a letter from Professor Terrance bear it in mind myself. Ryan: I am glad that you ran across FRANCES PENNEY Sigerist at the Academy before Frances Penney (Bethune) writing – but this was way back in c.1891-c.1964 October. He is coming here to give r. Norman Bethune (1890- an address Friday. He does these 1939) needs no introduction In the 1920s there was a formality …your letter things so gracefully, and apparently D to readers of this Newsletter. about the “best” Edinburgh families about the without effort. For my part, I find that The same cannot be said about his that included nannies, (known by the as I get along in years composition wife, Frances Penney. During the surnames of the families by whom disposition of becomes more difficult and preparing 2004 meeting of the American Osler they were employed) governesses, your Osler things for societies and meetings Society, the History of Medicine and other below stairs personages. more laborious by year. Librarian was fortunate enough to When Frances twice married a wild documents. I meet Professor Terrance Ryan, Canadian Communist the family think it is Always affectionately yours, Director of the Osler-McGovern were appalled. The nanny circuit of Harvey Cushing Centre at 13 Norham Gardens, Nanny Penney, Nanny Fraser, Nanny altogether the Oxford. During the course of the MacDonald, and Nanny Mac- proper thing Alas, Cushing’s admonition to Camac conversation he related the following everything else, meeting, peram- concerning disposition of his Osler story about Frances Penney, whom bulating or chatting at Nanny that they documents did not come to pass, Bethune married and divorced twice, Macloughlin’s weekly tea party, were should go to although there is evidence that it was first in 1927 and then again in 1933. less inclined to cut off relationships. his intention at this time to give Although Bethune continued to write In the 1950s “Ducky” the most McGill. I everything to the Osler Library. to her after their divorce, and her intellectual and well read of the Camac, during the last years of his marriage to A.R.E. Coleman, little nannies, who could recite long tracts have sent a life, was hoping and planning, information has survived about her of Walter Scott, told me in secret that great case of however, to first assemble the Osler life following Bethune’s death. I, as a prospective member of the correspondence for publication. The According to a letter in the Osler Penney family, could (should) join papers and “flighty purpose” intervened. He died Library archives from Frances’ her on a weekly visit to Aunt Frances documents Sept. 27, 1940 without achieving nephew Michael Campbell Penney who lived alone in poorish either aim. As happens all too often written in 1975 (MS 679), she circumstances in an Edinburgh back and copies of those who remained had no returned to Britain after World War street. Frances was an elderly and letters up appreciation of what they were left II, lived in London with her favourite most attractive little lady dressed in with. Only the foresight of an brother and then following his death, pinks and mauve with lace trimmings. there myself. antiquarian book dealer-friend in moved to Edinburgh where she lived She spoke with a soft and refined Pasadena prevented Camac’s letters from Osler and Cushing ending up in the dumpster.

Bibliography Dr. Norman Bethune c. 1938 typed reports, articles, appeals for funding and Harvey Cushing: A Biography, John F. Fulton, supplies, and letters to friends during his service with the 8th Route Army in Springfield, Illinois: C.C. Thomas, 1946. China. Proceedings of the Charaka Club, New York, 1902.… Counsels and Ideals from the Writings of William Osler, edited by C.N.B. Camac, Oxford: F. Frowde, 1905. Epoch-Making Contributions to Medicine, Surgery, and the Allied Sciences…, collected by C.N.B. Camac, Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Company, 1909. The Life of Sir William Osler, Harvey Cushing, Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1925. Student and Chief: The Osler-Camac Correspondence, arranged, edited, introduced, and annotated by Earl F. Nation and John P. McGovern, Pasadena, California: Castle Press, 1980. • ·6· Scots accent characteristic of Society for the History of Medicine Edinburgh and her conversation was meeting in London, Ontario. In “bookish”. I thereafter played for her October he will travel to the on the piano, especially Debussy, and CHRISTOPHER University of Illinois at Urbana- would browse through her books. I Champaign to deliver a paper on visited Frances shortly before her LYONS – Canadian library history at the death, as a demented but sweet old lady sitting up in bed with well ASSISTANT HISTORY groomed long grey hair and a shawl in an old persons home. Ducky was OF MEDICINE certain that the past was responsible for her present illness, and as I noted LIBRARIAN as a visitor to one of Nanny Macloughlin’s tea parties, the past by Pamela Miller was the only topic of conversation. After Frances died, Ducky told me to n mid-December 2004, take any books of interest and I chose Christopher Lyons assumed the books in which Norman Bethune had I position of Assistant History written comments, such as, “In of Medicine Librarian at the Osler Memory of Knaresborough”. Later Library after a rigorous search in my career as a visitor and role process. This is cause for celebration player in China, I have gradually as he immediately made his presence given these books away. The first felt within the Library’s walls and was to the Lebanese born and in the larger community. Buffalo trained George Hatem (Ma American Library Association’s Chris has risen Haide, 1910-1988 veteran of Mao’s Chris comes to the Osler Library Library History Seminar XI. Long March, with whom Bethune with a background in undergraduate to the challenge corresponded) when he visited my and graduate work in Canadian It is with great pleasure (and relief) and in a short home in Oxford to discuss his History, teaching elementary and that we welcome Chris to the Osler huge public health program. One adult education and with three years Library. period has of the books nearly got me into of experience in the Canadian taught classes, trouble when the senior Chinese International Development Agency lady to whom I had given it, in Ottawa. During the course of his compiled presented it to the women of Masters Degree in Library and bibliographies, China at a crowded ceremony in Information Studies at McGill, he NOTES FROM THE The Great Hall of The People. She focused on archival work, rare books put the said that she had noted it was about and historical research. He has also OSLER LIBRARY a woman and that any woman that worked in several departments of the finishing Norman Bethune was interested in, McGill Library system and so he has Osler Library Archives touches on the she would wish to emulate. The had no trouble fitting into the McGill now Searchable Electronically on-line guide to book was Madame Bovary, Flaubert’s library milieu. Since its opening in 1929, the Osler courtesan! Library of the History of Medicine our archival Throughout our search, we has collected archival material. For resources and is Most recently I have signed a emphasized the need for an assistant the past few years, the goal of the contract for the training of one who would make our resources more library has been to make these re-building our million Chinese Village Doctors by widely available, taking advantage of holdings better known by having “The International Foundation of the latest developments in information about them available on web site. Dermatology” and a training centre electronic resources. Chris has the world wide web. The Library now at Ma Haide’s onetime department in risen to the challenge and in a has a database of almost all its Nanjing will need a centrepiece. I short period has taught classes, archival holdings hosted on the new have persuaded Frances’ nephew to compiled bibliographies, put the Osler Library Archives website give the centre Norman Bethune’s finishing touches on the on-line [http://www.health.library.mcgill.ca/ typewriter to be a symbol of the role guide to our archival resources and is osler/archives]. The database is key of non-Chinese in the building of a re-building our web site. Judging word searchable, but one can also great nation. from the students’ evaluations of browse a list of the holdings by title, his classes, his efforts are greatly subject heading or retrieval number. Terence Ryan, Emeritus Professor of appreciated and he will be in great For those who want to get a good Dermatology Oxford University demand when classes begin in overview of the what is in the September. archives, there is also a browsable list of titles with short abstracts. The This spring Chris represented the Osler Library Archives database Osler Library at the Canadian consists of records that describe ·7· • individual collections of material, University. The archives contains in the final stages of editing for usually called fonds. These normally course notes that span the 18th, 19th publication. With the editorial bear the name of the person or and 20th centuries. These can be assistance of McGill Librarian Lonnie organisation that created the records. found by searching for “student Weatherby, the work covers the life, The database does not list individual notes” as a subject term. times and career of one of McGill’s files or items within each fonds, such For those interested in McGill and foremost surgeons and teachers. as every letter. The abstracts or the Canadian medical history, the site The book is number XVI in the “Scope and Content” section of each also provides links to other archival Fontanus Monograph Series and is detailed record however, should give repositories. available from the McGill University one some idea of what is in each The Osler Library has been Bookstore. ($60) fonds. The Library staff will be happy fortunate in receiving some much to provide more detailed information. appreciated help in completing this 75 Books from the Osler Library The archives are felt to be of project. We would like to thank Visitors to the Osler Library continue interest to historians in a number of Caroline Cholette for her to be impressed by our 75th fields. One of the strengths, not outstanding work producing the anniversary publication. For those of surprisingly, is in Sir William Osler archival descriptions, and the Young you who are unable to visit or do not and his circle. Material by and about Canada Works project of the have access to our web page “Osler Sir William can be found in the Sir Government of Canada, for funding Library Shop”, we are including a William Osler Collection (P100) and her effort. A great deal of help was printed order form for your the Harvey Cushing Fonds (P417), also given by David Crawford, temptation. Editorial amongst others. The early history of Librarian Emeritus of McGill Committee the Osler Library is documented in University. Larry Deck and Simon War, Bones and Books for the Newsletter: the voluminous correspondence of Barry have also provided valuable The McGill Medical Museum and Faith Wallis, Editor; W.W. Francis, Osler Librarian from assistance. the American Civil War Pamela Miller, 1929 to 1959, held in the W.W. The site is an on-going project. The exhibit, which will open in History of Francis Fonds (P155). There is still material waiting to be September 2005, centres on a Medicine Librarian Another significant area of described, for example. We invite collection of skeletal specimens and Assistant Editor; collecting is the papers of notable everyone to visit the new site at http:/ derived from soldiers of the American Lily Szczygiel, medical practitioners. The Wilder /www.health.library.mcgill.ca/osler/ Civil War that was donated to the Editorial Assistant. Penfield Fonds (P142) contains 80 archives and give us any comments McGill Medical Museum by the meters of material from the founder you may have. United States Army Medical Address of the Montreal Neurological Museum in 1907. Included in the Osler Library Institute. The Archives also has the Biography of Dr. Edward exhibit are a number of poems of the History papers of such well-known medical Archibald (1872-1945) describing the wartime experience of of Medicine, McGill University, figures as Maude Abbott (P111), Edward Archibald, Surgeon of the Royal Walt Whitman – who was a one-time McIntyre Medical Edward Archibald (P88) and Harold Vic, Martin A. Entin, Montreal, 2004. patient of William Osler – as well as Sciences Building, Nathan Segall (P109). A few months before his death in books and illustrations documenting in 3655 Promenade The pedagogical side of medicine May of 2004, Dr. Martin Entin graphic form some of the injuries Sir-William-Osler, is represented, in part, by medical learned that his biography of Dr. underlying the specimens on display. Montréal, Québec, student notes, primarily from McGill Edward Archibald (1872-1945) was Canada, H3G 1Y6.

Tel: (514) 398-4475 From the exhibit “War, Bones and Books” which will open in September 2005. ext. 09873 Fax: (514) 398-5747 Courtesy of the National Museum of Health and Medicine, AFIP, Washington DC E-mail: [email protected] Tibia/Fibula. URL: http:// The leg was www.health.library. mcgill.ca/osler/ amputated following a Legal Deposit 1/2005 ISSN gunshot fracture 0085-4557 of ankle, Fort Legal Deposit 1/2005 ISSN Wagner July 18, 1712-7955 1863.

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