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Marcia Crocker Noyes
(1869 – 1946)
Further to my comment on old books and research that started with an interesting bookplate (Ex-Libris). I continued my research and found that the person in charge of the Osler library bookplate was a fascinating individual that today maybe a ghost in the MedChi library and building in Baltimore... This is certainly an article that can be called "A Moment in History"
Marcia Crocker Noyes was the librarian at The Maryland State Medical Society from 1896 to 1946 and was a founding member of the Medical Library Association.[1][2][3]
Sir William Osler, MD. a famous Johns Hopkins surgeon was a noted bibliophile and had a large personal collection of books on various topics. When he became the President of MedChi in 1896, he was dismayed at the condition of the library and knew that with the right person and some stewardship, it could become a significant collection. Sir William asked his friend, Dr. Bernard Steiner, a physician and President of the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore for suggestions of a librarian, and Dr. Steiner recommended Marcia Crocker Noyes. A native of New York, and a graduate of Hunter College, Marcia had moved to Baltimore for a lengthy visit with her sister, and took a “temporary” position at the Pratt Library, which turned into three years. Although she had no medical experience or background, she was enthusiastic, and most importantly, she was willing to move into the apartment provided for the librarian, who needed to be available 24 hours a day.
The image in this article is Ms. Noyes on her first year on the job. Marcia developed a book classification system for medical books, based on the Index Medicus, and called it the Classification for Medical Literature. The system uses the alphabet with capital letters for the major divisions of medicine and lower-case ones for the sub-sections. The system was used for many years, but it's now dated and the Faculty's original shelving scheme was never changed. The card catalogs still reflect her classification and many of the cards are written in Marcia's back-slanting handwriting.
Marcia knew enough to ask the Faculty's members about medical questions, terminology and literature. She gradually won over the predominantly male membership and they became her greatest allies; Sir William at the start, and then for nearly 40 years, Dr. John Ruhräh, a wealthy pediatrician with no immediate family of his own. She made a point of attending almost every Faculty function, and in 1904, under guidelines from the American Medical Association, Marcia was made the Faculty Secretary. For much of her first 10 years, she was the Faculty's only full-time employee, only being assisted by Mr. Caution, the Faculty's janitor. Later in life Marcia would say that she hired him because of his name!
Within ten years, the library had outgrown its space, and plans, spearheaded by Marcia and Sir William before his move to Oxford, were made to build a headquarters building, mainly to house the library's growing collection of medical books and journals.
Marcia was instrumental in the design and building of the new headquarters. She travelled to Philadelphia, New York and Boston to look at their medical society buildings, and eventually, the Philadelphia architectural firm, Ellicott & Emmart was selected to design and build the new Faculty building. Every detail of the building held her imprimatur, from the graceful staircase, to the light-filled reading room, and all of the myriad details of the millwork, marble tesserae, and most of all, the four-story cast iron stacks. She was on-site, climbing up unfinished staircases, checking out the progress of the building, which was built in less than one year at a cost of $90,000.
Among the features of the new building was a fourth-floor apartment for her. She referred to it as the "first penthouse in Baltimore" and it had a garden and rooftop terrace. The library collection eventually grew to more than 65,000 volumes from medical and specialty societies around the world. Journals were traded back and forth, and physicians eagerly anticipated the arrival of each new issue. At the same time, Marcia was involved in the Medical Library Association as one of eight founding members. The MLA promotes medical libraries and the exchange of information. One of the earliest mandates of the MLA was the Exchange, a distribution and trade service for those who had duplicates or little-used books in their collections. Initially, the Exchange was run out of the Philadelphia medical society, but in 1900 it was moved to Baltimore and Marcia oversaw it. Several hundred periodicals and journals were received and sent each month, a huge amount of work for a tiny staff. In 1904, the Faculty had run out of room to manage the Exchange, so it was moved to the Medical Society of the Kings County (Brooklyn). But without Marcia's excellent administrative skills, it floundered and in 1908, the MLA asked Marcia to take charge once again.
In 1909, when the new Faculty building opened, there was enough room to run the Exchange and with the help of MLA Treasurer, noted bibliophile and close friend, Dr. John Ruhräh, it once again became successful. Additionally, Marcia and Dr. Ruhräh combined forces to revive the MLA's bulletin, which had all but ceased publication in 1908, taking the Exchange with it. This duo maintained editorial control from 1911 until 1926. In 1934, around the time of Dr. Ruhräh's death, Marcia became the first “unmedicated” professional to head the MLA. During her tenure, the MLA incorporated, the first seal was adopted, and the annual meeting was held in Baltimore. Marcia wanted to write the history of the MLA once she retired from full-time work at the Faculty, but her health was beginning to fail. She had back problems and had suffered a serious burn on her shoulder as a young woman, possibly from her time running a summer camp, Camp Seyon, for young ladies in the Adirondack Mountains. In 1946, a celebration was planned to honor Marcia's 50 years at the Faculty. But she was adamant that the physicians wait until November, the actual date of her 50 years. However, they knew she was gravely ill, and might not make it until then, so a huge party was held in April. More than 250 physicians attended the celebration, but the ones she was closest to in the early years, were long gone. She was presented with a suitcase, a sum of money to use for travelling, and her favorite painting of Dr. John Philip Smith, a founder of the Medical College in Winchester, Virginia. It was painted by Edward Caledon Smith, a Virginia painter who had been a student of the painter Thomas Sully.[4] She adored this painting and vowed, jokingly, to take it with her wherever she went.
The painting was not to stay with her for very long, for she died in November 1946, and left it to the Faculty in her will. Her funeral was held in the Faculty's Osler Hall, named for her dear friend. More than 60 physicians served as her pallbearers, and she was buried at Baltimore's Green Mount Cemetery. In 1948, the MLA decided to establish an award in the name of Marcia Crocker Noyes. It was for outstanding achievement in medical library field and was to be awarded every two years, or when a truly worthy candidate was submitted. In 2014, the Faculty began giving a bouquet of flowers to the winner of the award in Marcia's name, and in honor of her work. Much evidence exists for this tradition, as we know that the physicians, especially Drs. Osler and Ruhräh, frequently gave her bouquets of flowers. Marcia also cultivated flower gardens at the Faculty and decorated the rooms with her work.
Today, the MedChi building is open for tours and if the rumors are to be believed Ms. Marcia Crocker Noyes is still at work in her beloved library as the "resident ghost" [1][5]
NOTE: This article has been modified from the original Wikipedia article on Marcia Crocker Noyes. The article itself is well-written with interesting images of the subject. I would encourage you to visit it. The second insert is from book 00736 in my personal library and shows in pencil, the incredibly small handwriting of Marsha C. Noyes.
Sources:
1. "Marcia, Marcia, Marcia" MedChi Archives blog.
2. "Marcia C. Noyes, Medical Librarian" (PDF). Bulletin of the Medical Library Association. 35 (1): 108–109. 1947. PMC 194645
3. Smith, Bernie Todd (1974). "Marcia Crocker Noyes, Medical Librarian: The Shaping of a Career" (PDF). Bulletin of the Medical Library Association. 62 (3): 314–324. PMC 198800Freely accessible. PMID 4619344.
4. Edward Caledon BRUCE (1825-1901)"
5. Behind the scenes tour MedChiBuilding
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A derivate of the Latin root [cervix] or [cervicis] meaning "neck". The word [cervical] means "pertaining to the neck".
The term is used in many areas and structures of the human body:
• Cervical spine: refers to the spinal column region formed by the seven cervical vertebrae. See image
• Uterine cervix: The inferior region of the uterus which projects partially into the vagina.
• Cervical rib: An anatomic variation where one or more supernumerary ribs are found related to the lower cervical vertebrae. This anomaly can cause clinical symptoms.
Images property of: CAA.Inc. Artist: Dr. E. Miranda
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This term can be a suffix or a word by itself. It arises from the Greek Arabic [στάσις] (stasis) and means "to stand still" or "to stop". This term can be found in several medical words:
- Hemostasis: Stoppage of blood flow
- Metastasis: The prefix [meta-] means "beyond", or "at a distance". Something that stops at a distance, such as a cancer tumor that stops away from the primary tumor
- Bacteriostasis: To stop bacteria. A [bacteriostatic] agent stops bacterial invasion
- Intestinal stasis: Stoppage of flow of intestinal content
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The [ligamentum nuchae] is the Latin term to describe the nuchal ligament. It arises from the word [nucha] meaning the “back” or “nape” of the neck.
The ligamentum nuchae is a midline or median structure found in the posterior aspect of the neck. It is a fibroelastic tendon-like bilaminar structure with a triangular shape. Because of its location the ligamentum nuchae froms a septum that divides the posterior aspect of the neck in the midline providing an attachment for several muscles. These muscles are the trapezius, splenius capitis, rhomboid minor and serratus posterior superior.
The ligamentum nuchae attaches superiorly to the inion (external occipital protuberance) and the midline of the occipital bone. Inferiorly it attaches to the spinous process of C7 (vertebra prominens). Anteriorly it attaches to the posterior tubercle of C1 and all the cervical vertebrae in the midline. Interestingly, anatomical studies have shown the ligamentum nuchae to have small attachments to the spinal dural (thecal) sac superior and inferior to C1
There is a discussion as to the relationship of the ligamentum nuchae and the supraspinous and interspinous ligaments. Some say that the ligamentum nuchae is a discrete structure distinct from the supraspinous and interspinous ligaments, while others contest that the ligamentum nuchae is a continuation of the supraspinous and interspinous ligaments.
Thanks to Jackie Miranda-Klein for suggesting this article.
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This article is part of the series "A Moment in History" where we honor those who have contributed to the growth of medical knowledge in the areas of anatomy, medicine, surgery, and medical research.
Empedocles of Agrigentum
Empedocles of Agrigentum (ca. 495–430 BC). Greek philosopher, poet, physician, physiologist, politician, Empedocles was born in the city of Agrigentum, a Greek colony in Sicily.
Empedocles presented himself as an immortal god. Versed in magic and incantations, he was seen as a healer by people that followed him.
A philosopher, Empedocles developed the theory that nature consists of the combination of four “elements”— earth, water, air, and fire —with each of these elements being a combination of two qualities: water is wet and cold, air is dry and cold, fire is dry and hot, and earth is wet and hot. Empedocles went further to explain that the combination of these elements is based on the balance of love and hate. The balance of the elements represented balance in life.
Further development of this theory by observation of the human body, led to the “Humor theory” or “bodily fluids” theory based on four fluids whose imbalance led to disease. The four humors were “blood” or sanguineous, which belongs to the air element, “phlegm”, which belongs to water, “yellow bile”, which corresponds to fire, and “black bile” or “melancholy” which corresponds to earth. This theory dominated human physiology and medicine until the 17th century.
Because the humor theory also explained moods and temperaments, Empedocles’ influence is still seen in our language as we refer to people and personalities as “phlegmatic”, “sanguine”, “bilious”, and “melancholy”.
Empedocles’ death is the stuff of legend. To maintain his image as a god, he threw himself into the Etna volcano to disappear. This was foiled as it is said that the volcano spew one of his golden sandals. Others said that he made a “divinity” party and after dinner when everyone was asleep he disappeared, making everyone believe he had risen to heaven. Fact is, we do not know.
Sources
1. “Mythical Conceptions of the Problem of the Unity of Culture” Tagliacozzo, G. Am Behav Scient Apr 1963; 6-8
2. “The Nature and Formation of Teeth According to Spanish Authors from the 16th to the 18th Centuries” Romero-Maroto, M. J Dent Res (2008) 87(2):103-106
3. “The evolution of Modern Medicine” Osler, W. 2nd Ed. Yale University Press 1922
4. “Empedocles” N Brit Rev Vol LXV (1866) 420-440
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This term is originally Arabic [nukha] and at the time of its first use it meant "spinal marrow". It was used by Avicenna with this meaning around 1000 A.D.
Today it is used to mean the "nape" or the "back of the neck". Apparently at some point in time the Arab word [nukha] was confused with another Arab term [nugraf] which actually means "back of the neck". The error has persisted to our times. In French the word is [nuque] and in Spanish [nuca]. The term is used in some medical and anatomical terms such as:
• Ligamentum nuchae: Nuchal ligament. A thick ligament in the back of the neck that reinforces the supraspinous ligament
• Nuchal cord: An obstetrical condition where the umbilical cord is wrapped around the neck of the fetus
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Posterior view of the superficial and
intermediate muscle layers of the back
The [trapezius] is a bilateral muscle belonging to the superficial muscles of the back. On each side it is a flat, thin triangular muscle that spans the neck, shoulders and the superior and middle aspect of the back. When seen together these two triangular muscles form a diamond-shaped quadrangle from which its name derives. The word originates in the Greek [τραπεζι] meaning "a four-legged table" (four sides). This word later evolved into the New Latin [trapezium].
In the midline the trapezius muscle attaches to the inion (external occipital protuberance), the ligamentum nuch?, the spinous processes of the seventh cervical vertebra (vertebra prominens), and the spinous processes of all the thoracic vertebr?.
The trapezius’ muscle fibers have three orientations. From the midline the superior fibers course inferolaterally to attach to the posterior border of the lateral third of the clavicle. The middle fibers course laterally to attach to the medial margin of the acromion, and posterior border of the spine of the scapula. The inferior fibers course superolaterally to attach to the spine of the scapula by way of an aponeurosis.
Because of their attachments, the superior and inferior fibers of the trapezius act coordinatedly to rotate the scapula, while the middle fibers act to retract the scapula. The superior fibers also act to slightly elevate the scapula. The trapezius muscle is sometimes described as an accessory respiratory muscle.
The trapezius muscle receives muscular innervation by way of the spinal accessory nerve (11th Cranial Nerve) which courses on the deep aspect of the muscle along with the superficial branch of the transverse cervical artery and vein. The muscle also receives sensory innervation by way of nerves arising from the ventral rami of the 3rd and 4th spinal nerves.
The trapezius is one of the 17 muscles that attach to the scapula.
Sources:
1 "Tratado de Anatomia Humana" Testut et Latarjet 8 Ed. 1931 Salvat Editores, Spain
2. "Anatomy of the Human Body" Henry Gray 1918. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger
Original images courtesy of bartleby.com