Army Medical Museum and Library: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 18:54, 23 March 2025

Historical medical museum and library in Washington, D.C.

Army Medical Museum and Library[edit]

The Army Medical Museum and Library was a significant institution in Washington, D.C., dedicated to the collection and preservation of medical artifacts, specimens, and literature. It played a crucial role in the advancement of medical science and education in the United States.

History[edit]

The museum was established during the American Civil War in 1862 by Surgeon General William A. Hammond to collect "specimens of morbid anatomy together with projectiles and foreign bodies removed" and to serve as a center for the study of military medicine. Initially, it was housed in the Ford's Theatre building, but it later moved to a purpose-built structure on the National Mall.

Collections[edit]

The museum's collections included a wide array of medical specimens, including anatomical and pathological specimens, as well as medical instruments and equipment. It also housed a vast library of medical literature, which was an invaluable resource for medical professionals and researchers.

Contributions to Medical Science[edit]

The Army Medical Museum and Library contributed significantly to the field of pathology and the study of epidemiology. It was instrumental in the development of medical photography and the use of visual aids in medical education. The museum's collections were used extensively for research and teaching purposes.

Relocation and Legacy[edit]

In 1969, the museum's collections were transferred to the newly established National Museum of Health and Medicine at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. The library's collections were integrated into the National Library of Medicine. The legacy of the Army Medical Museum and Library continues to influence medical research and education today.

Related Pages[edit]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-== Apparent Death ==
+{{Short description|Historical medical museum and library in Washington, D.C.}}
-'''Apparent death''', also known as '''thanatosis''' or '''tonic immobility''', is a behavior observed in various animal species where an individual feigns death to evade predators. This anti-predator strategy is employed by a wide range of animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects.
+== Army Medical Museum and Library ==
+The '''Army Medical Museum and Library''' was a significant institution in Washington, D.C., dedicated to the collection and preservation of medical artifacts, specimens, and literature. It played a crucial role in the advancement of medical science and education in the United States.
-=== Mechanism ===
+[[File:Opossum2.jpg|An opossum feigning death|thumb|right]]
-Apparent death is typically triggered by a threat or physical contact with a predator. The animal enters a state of immobility, often accompanied by a reduction in breathing and heart rate. This state can last from a few seconds to several minutes, depending on the species and the situation.
-=== Examples in Nature ===
+=== History ===
+The museum was established during the [[American Civil War]] in 1862 by Surgeon General [[William A. Hammond]] to collect "specimens of morbid anatomy together with projectiles and foreign bodies removed" and to serve as a center for the study of military medicine. Initially, it was housed in the [[Ford's Theatre]] building, but it later moved to a purpose-built structure on the National Mall.
-* '''[[Opossum]]s''' are well-known for their dramatic display of thanatosis, often referred to as "playing possum." When threatened, an opossum will collapse, become limp, and emit a foul odor to mimic the scent of a decaying carcass.
+=== Collections ===
+The museum's collections included a wide array of medical specimens, including anatomical and pathological specimens, as well as medical instruments and equipment. It also housed a vast library of medical literature, which was an invaluable resource for medical professionals and researchers.
-* The '''[[Grass snake]]''' (''Natrix natrix'') is another example of a reptile that employs thanatosis. When threatened, it will roll onto its back, open its mouth, and may even release a foul-smelling substance to deter predators.
+[[File:Grass_Snake_(Natrix_natrix_helvetica)_playing_dead_(14178349634).jpg|Grass snake playing dead|thumb|left]]
-* The '''[[Phyllomedusa burmeisteri]]''', a species of tree frog, can also exhibit tonic immobility when threatened, remaining motionless to avoid detection.
+=== Contributions to Medical Science ===
+The Army Medical Museum and Library contributed significantly to the field of [[pathology]] and the study of [[epidemiology]]. It was instrumental in the development of medical photography and the use of visual aids in medical education. The museum's collections were used extensively for research and teaching purposes.
-* The '''[[Common swift]]''' (''Apus apus'') may enter a state of apparent death when handled by humans, remaining still until the threat has passed.
+=== Relocation and Legacy ===
+In 1969, the museum's collections were transferred to the newly established [[National Museum of Health and Medicine]] at [[Walter Reed Army Medical Center]]. The library's collections were integrated into the [[National Library of Medicine]]. The legacy of the Army Medical Museum and Library continues to influence medical research and education today.
-* In the insect world, the '''[[Iridomyrmex purpureus]]''', a type of ant, can feign death to avoid predation by other ants or larger predators.
+[[File:PhyllomedusaBurmeisteri_(6).JPG|Phyllomedusa burmeisteri in a state of tonic immobility|thumb|right]]
-* The '''[[Heterodon platirhinos]]''', commonly known as the Eastern hognose snake, is famous for its elaborate death-feigning behavior, which includes convulsions and the release of a foul odor.
+== Related Pages ==
+* [[National Museum of Health and Medicine]]
-=== Evolutionary Advantages ===
+* [[National Library of Medicine]]
-The primary advantage of apparent death is to increase the likelihood of survival by deceiving predators into believing the prey is already dead and therefore not worth pursuing. This behavior can be particularly effective against predators that prefer live prey or are cautious of potential traps.
+* [[Walter Reed Army Medical Center]]
+* [[American Civil War]]
-=== Related Behaviors ===
+* [[William A. Hammond]]
-Apparent death is related to other anti-predator strategies such as [[camouflage]], [[mimicry]], and [[evasive maneuvers]]. Each of these strategies serves to reduce the likelihood of predation through different means.
-== Related Pages ==
+[[File:ApusApusKlausRoggel02.jpg|Common swift exhibiting apparent death|thumb|left]]
-* [[Anti-predator adaptation]]
-* [[Camouflage]]
-* [[Mimicry]]
-* [[Predation]]
-== Gallery ==
+{{Authority control}}
-<gallery>
-File:Opossum2.jpg|An opossum feigning death.
-File:Grass_Snake_(Natrix_natrix_helvetica)_playing_dead_(14178349634).jpg|Grass snake playing dead.
-File:PhyllomedusaBurmeisteri_(6).JPG|Phyllomedusa burmeisteri in a state of tonic immobility.
-File:ApusApusKlausRoggel02.jpg|Common swift exhibiting apparent death.
-File:Iridomyrmex_purpureus_attacking_Rhytidoponera_metallica.jpg|Ants in a defensive posture.
-File:Adult_male_livingstonii.png|Example of a bird species that may use thanatosis.
-File:Latrodectus_geometricus_female_in_thanatosis.JPG|Spider in a state of thanatosis.
-File:Heterodon_platirhinos_2.jpg|Eastern hognose snake feigning death.
-</gallery>
-[[Category:Animal behavior]]
+[[Category:Medical museums in the United States]]
-<gallery>
+[[Category:Defunct museums in Washington, D.C.]]
-File:AMM4.jpg|Army Medical Museum and Library
+[[Category:Libraries in Washington, D.C.]]
-File:Army_Medical_Museum_and_Library.jpg|Army Medical Museum and Library
+[[Category:1862 establishments in Washington, D.C.]]
-File:SurgeonGeneral'sLibrary.jpg|Surgeon General's Library
+[[Category:1969 disestablishments in Washington, D.C.]]
-</gallery>