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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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This is the first time I embed a Facebook article from https://www.facebook.com/CAAInc.
During this week, I will be attending the 2017 Meeting of the American Association of Clinical Anatomists in Minneapolis, MN. This 34th meeting of the association, gets together over 300 clinical anatomists, anatomists, physicians, and students from all over the world.
I will try to post pictures, and excerpts from some of the lectures, presentations and posters. After the meeting, there will be a postgraduate course which I will also attend.
The meeting will be held at the Minneapolis Marriott City Center Convention Center and is hosted by the University of Minnesota Medical School.
So, let’s start with travel! I flew N21315 to Minneapolis. The flight was IFR, uneventful, at 12,000 ft. (with oxygen support) and landed at KSTP (St. Paul Downtown airport). I decided to post some pictures of the flight and the airplane.
Now I am getting ready for the judge’s meeting and then the reception. I will be posting some pictures tomorrow!
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Cover of the book by Theo Dirix
We are getting closer and closer to the objective, that is, to fund and find the lost grave of Andreas Vesalius, recognized worldwide as the Father of Modern Anatomy. We are setting up the dates for the next phase and preparing the logistics for the crews from Crete and Belgium.
The quest for the lost grave of Andreas Vesalius continues, the permits have been obtained, and we only have the last hurdle to finish, the funding of the project trough our GoFundMe page.
Theo Dirix, a contributor to Medical Terminology Daily, now has an offer that you may like. He wrote the book "In Search of Andreas Vesalius" which relates the beginning of this Quest. The book is out-of-print today, but there are a few copies available. By donating 30 € (US$35)you'll receive one of the last available copies and you'll be mentioned in the sequel of the book that will be dedicated to the next stage of the project.
The project is private and funded by those who believe we still have an opportunity to find the lost grave. For more information, you are welcome to read Theo Dirix's article : "To put it in another way: where do we have to look for Vesalius's grave?"
Here are some reviews for Theo Drix's book "In Search of Andreas Vesalius" :
Vivian Nutton: "I read with pleasure and wry amusement Theo’s account (..) and was reminded of reading the autobiographical account by Stephen Miller of his time as head of the American archaeological school and the boss of the Nemea excavations in the 1980s and 90s (...)
(Professor Vivian Nutton specialises in the history of the classical tradition in medicine, from Antiquity to the present, and particularly on Galen, some of whose works he has edited and translated, and on medicine during the Renaissance.)
Jacqueline Vons: " here is a book " without claim " but well documented, which is committed to tracing the research made to zakynthos by the author and a team of doctors, historians and artists to find the tomb of vesalius (1514-1564).
(Jacqueline Vons est professeur agrégé de lettres classiques, docteur ès études latines, enseignant-chercheur habilité à diriger des recherches. Elle a enseigné le latin et l'histoire de la médecine au CESR et à la faculté de Lettres de Tours et a assuré pendant plusieurs années des enseignements complémentaires en sciences humaines à la faculté de Médecine. Ses thèmes de recherche sont orientés vers l'histoire de la médecine et notamment autour d'André Vésale (éditions, traductions, transcriptions), de la pensée et des pratiques médicales en France à l'époque moderne ainsi que des textes médicaux latins centrés principalement sur l'anatomie.)
Maurits Biesbrouck: in search of Andreas Vesalius is so well researched and written, that if the further search for his grave completely shutting down (something we hope not! ) and only after a few decades be rebooted again, the perfect future researchers would know to where you came, and the wire without wasting time we can again. It is a very detailed history of the search that has already been made, a solid status and simultaneously present an extremely valuable tool for further extrapolating.
(Dr. Maurits Biesbrouck has a lifelong interest in Andreas Vesalius. He translated the first book of the De Humani Corporis Fabrica Libri Septem into Dutch, compiled an annually updated Vesalius-bibliography and wrote many articles on his life and works, many as a co-author with Omer Steeno (Leuven, Belgium) and Theodoor Goddeeris (Kortrijk, Belgium). See www.andreasvesalius.be.)
UPDATE: April 25, 2018. Theo Dirix's new book is already published, the names of the contributors have been incorporated in the book. The title of the new book is "In Search of Andreas Vesalius The Quest for the Grave, Lost and not yet found". Dr. Miranda
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Image courtesy of Ancient Touch
UPDATED: The word [glenoid] is composed of the root term [-glen-] which arises from the Greek [γλήνη] (glíni), meaning “a shallow socket”, and the suffix [-oid], also Greek, meaning “similar to”. Similar to a shallow socket.
The etymology of the word is not clear, as some authors contend that it means “eyeball” or just the “pupil” of the eye. The earliest known use of the term by Homer was referring to a “mirror”. All of these meanings carry the reference to reflection of an image.
The term [glenoid cavity] is the smooth, slightly concave surface of the glenoid process of the scapula that forms part of the shoulder joint. Being so shallow, the glenoid cavity is supplemented by a fibrocartilaginous ring called the [glenoid labrum]. There are other uses of the term [glenoid] in human anatomy.
Personal note: I have read several authors including Skinner (1970) on this word. I noticed that ancient Greek mirrors have one very slightly concave surface (see image) and this could be the origin of this term as well as the later association with reflection. Dr. Miranda
Original image courtesy of www.ancienttouch.com
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- Written by: Fernanda Cortes, DDS, MSc
Figure A: Incomplete PP viewed from the
posterior aspect of the articular fossa
related to the retroglenoid tubercle
The Ponticulus Posticus (PP), also known as the pons arcuatus, foramen arcuale, and arcuate foramen, is a bony bridge that connects the retroglenoid tubercle with the posterior arch of the C1 vertebra, also known as the Atlas.
It substitutes the lateral segment of the posterior atlantooccipital ligament or joint capsule (1) on the area which stabilizes the vertebral artery on its emergency of the transverse foramen of the Atlas (2). This bridge or arch could be thick, thin or even incomplete (2). The importance of this calcification relies on the fact that it has been linked with cervicogenic headache (1,3) chronic tension-type headaches, sensorineural hearing loss (4), shoulder and arm pain, neck pain, and vertigo (1, 5).
The presence of a ponticulus posticus could also impact the planning of high cervical surgeries associated with the Atlas [C1] (6). A recent meta-analysis of the prevalence of this condition worldwide found an overall prevalence of a complete PP of 9.1% versus an incomplete PP, which was 13.6%. In males (10.4%) the complete PP was more common than in females (7.3%), but an incomplete PP was more commonly seen in females (18.5%) than in males (16.7%) (7).
Figure B: Complete PP. It crosses from the
retroglenoid tubercle down to the
posterior arch.
Despite the fact that this calcification has been associated with different painful disorders, some other authors consider it an anatomical condition destined to protect the vertebral artery and not a pathological condition (8). PP is visible on lateral cervical spine and cranial lateral radiographs as thin bony arch on the shape of a ring crossing from the retroglenoid tubercle to the posterior arch of C1, being either partially of fully calcified (Figures C and D).
Note 1: For the etymology of the term glenoid, click here.
Note 2: Figures C and D can be found at the bottom of the article
Sources:
1. Ross JS, Moore KR, editors. Diagnostic Imaging: Spine E-Book. 3rd ed. Philadeplphia: Elsevier; 2015. 31 p.
2. Torres Cueco R. La Columna Cervical: Evaluación Clínica y Aproximaciones Terapéuticas. Principios anatómicos, funcionales, exploración clínica y técnicas de tratamiento. Tomo I. 1° Ed. Madrid: Medica Panamericana; 2008. 124 p.
3. Tambawala SS, Karjodkar FR, Sansare K, Motghare D, Mishra I, Gaikwad S, Dora AC. Prevalence of Ponticulus Posticus on Lateral Cephalometric Radiographs, its Association with Cervicogenic Headache and a Review of Literature. World Neurosurg [Internet]. 2017 Apr 17(cited 02 Jun 2017). pii: S1878-8750(17)30525-9. Available at: doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2017.04.030. [Epub ahead of print]
4. Koutsouraki E, Avdelidi E, Michmizos D, Kapsali SE, Costa V, Baloyannis S. Kimmerle's anomaly as a possible causative factor of chronic tension-type headaches and neurosensory hearing loss: Case report and literature review. Int J Neurosci. 2010; 120:236-9
5. Cakmak O, Gurdal E, Ekinci G, Yildiz E, Cavdar S. Arcuate foramen and its clinical significance. Saudi Med J. 2005; 26:1409-13.
6. Song MS, Lee HJ, Kim JT, Kim JH, Hong JT. Ponticulus posticus: Morphometric analysis and Its anatomical Implications for occipito-cervical fusion. Clin Neurol Neurosurg [Internet]. 2017 Jun (cited 02 Jun 2017);157:76-81. Available at: doi: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2017.04.001. Epub 2017 Apr 3.
7. Pękala PA, Henry BM, Pękala JR, Hsieh WC, Vikse J, Sanna B, Walocha JA, Tubbs RS, Tomaszewski KA. Prevalence of foramen arcuale and its clinical significance: a meta-analysis of 55,985 subjects. J Neurosurg Spine [Internet]. 2017 Jun (cited 02 Jun 2017); 16:1-15. Available at: doi: 10.3171/2017.1.SPINE161092. [Epub ahead of print]
8. Schilling J, Schilling A, Suazo I. Ponticulus posticus on the Posterior Arch of Atlas, Prevalence Analysis in Asymptomatic PatientsInt. J. Morphol. 2010 Mar; 28(1):317-322.
Acknowledgments: The Atlas [C1] specimens shown on figures A and B belong to the Anatomy department of the Medical College of the Finis Terrae University, Santiago, Chile and are used to show two examples of PP. With permission.
Article written by Prof. M. Fernanda Cortes, DDS, MsC.
Figure C: Complete PP shown on a lateral radiographic view. Figure D: Partial PP shown on a lateral radiographic view.
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Wax bust of Andreas Vesalius by Pascale Pollier
Friends of Medical Terminology Daily:
As you know, we are part of an incredible quest to find the body of Andreas Vesalius, recognized worldwide as the Father of Modern Anatomy. His life and the story and legends about his death are part now of scientific fact and folklore.
The quest for the lost grave of Andreas Vesalius has been published in this blog several times. Many of the members of this group, such as Pascale Pollier, Theo Dirix, Dr. Sylvianne Déderix, Dr. Maurits Biesbrouck, etc. are contributors to Medical Terminology Daily.
The project has had several stages and you are welcome to follow the above links to the authors to read their contributions which clarify the scope and objectives of this quest, including Theo Dirix's article : "To put it in another way: where do we have to look for Vesalius's grave?".
The project next step is to perform a detailed research on the area where we suspect (actually know with a high degree of certainty) where the cemetery of the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie (Zakynthos, Greece) used to be.
Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie
The problem was to obtain the permits to do the non-invasive radar scan of the grounds in the area... and this is the exciting news! Following is the press release:
"The Belgian School of Archaeology)in Athens (EBSA) just obtained the permission for a new archaeological project at Zakynthos in collaboration with the local Ephorate and Dr Merkouri, as well as the IMS in Rethymnon (Dr A. Sarris). The project, initiated and coordinated by Theo Dirix and Pascale Pollier, concerns the quest for the tomb of the Belgian anatomist, father of modern anatomy, Andreas Vesalius who died and was buried in the island."
Needless to say, we are all excited. Now we have to fund this research, and you can all help by contributing as little or as much as you can to the GoFundMe page. We are very close to our objective and this will allow us to pay the permits, rent the equipment and finally get a little closer to finding Andreas Vesalius.
Personal note: Click on the following link to collaborate with this incredible quest. I already did. Dr. Miranda
GoFundMe Campaign for the next stage of the project
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Arterial Circle of Willis
UPDATED: The arterial "circle of Willis" is a roundabout of arteries found at the base of the brain, allowing for collateral circulation at this level. This arterial circle has been described by many anatomists, but it was Thomas Willis (1621 - 1675) who described it in most detail, and he was the first to understand its function.
The circle of Willis receives blood from the two main paired arteries that provide blood supply to the head and brain: the carotid arteries anteriorly, and the vertebral arteries posteriorly.
This arterial circle is formed by the anastomosis of several arteries, paired and unpaired:
• Anterior cerebral arteries: These paired arteries are one of the terminal branches of the internal carotid arteries. They provide blood supply to the medial aspect and part of the lateral aspect of frontal and parietal lobes of the brain
• Anterior communicating artery: A single unpaired small artery communicating both anterior cerebral arteries and providing potential collateral circulation between them
• Internal carotid arteries: These two bilateral arteries are one of the branches of the carotid artery found at the root of the neck. Its two main terminal branches are the anterior cerebral arteries and the middle cerebral arteries.
• Posterior cerebral arteries: These two arteries are formed by the bifurcation of the basilar artery, which itself is formed by the junction of the right and left vertebral arteries. The posterior cerebral arteries provide blood supply to the occipital lobe and part of the temporal lobe of the brain
• Posterior communicating arteries: These paired arteries provide communication between the carotid and vertebral arterial territories
• Middle cerebral arteries: Although not technically part of the arterial circle of Willis, these paired arteries are one of the two terminal branches of the internal carotid arteries. The middle cerebral artery travels deep in the lateral sulcus (Sylvian fissure) of the brain and provides blood supply to the lateral aspect of the brain including the frontal, parietal, occipital, temporal, and insular lobes
The arterial circle of Willis provides all of the arterial blood to the brain. Cerebral blood flow in humans averages 55 mL per 100 g of brain tissue per minute. This is a about over 742.5 mL/min for the average 1350 g brain. Depending on the situation the brain will use between 15 to 20 percent of the total cardiac output, although by weight the brain is only about two to three percent of the average body weight. Incredibly, the brain uses more oxygen that most organs averaging close to 25% of the total oxygen needs of the body!
The importance of the arterial circle of Willis is that beyond this point the arterial supply to the brain becomes terminal, that is, there are little or no anastomoses between the bifurcating branches exposing the brain to ischemia and necrosis should there be an arterial stenosis or stricture. The circle of Willis is an area prone to aneurysms, with over 27,000 cases yearly in the US.
For an image of the vascular territories of the brain, click here.
Thanks to Jackie Miranda-Klein for making me review this post and update it!... and congratulations to Jackie for starting her Physician Assistant Master's degree at Kettering College. Dr. Miranda.
Image in the Public Domain. Courtesy of www.wikipedia.org
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