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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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UPDATED: We have discussed many times on this blog the importance of Andreas Vesalius (1514 – 1564), his impact on modern science and anatomy, and the influence of his opus magnum publication in 1543, the Fabrica. The complete name of this publication is “De Humani Corporis Fabrica, Libri Septem” (Seven books on the structure of the human body).
Harvey Cushing wrote in his Vesalius bio-bibliography of 1943:”As a book, the Fabrica has been probably more admired and less read than any publication of equal significance in the history of science”.
The first (1543) and second (1555) editions of the Fabrica were published in Basel, Switzerland by Johannes Oporinus (1507 – 1568). With few exceptions, the Fabrica was sold as an unbound book and it was the owner’s responsibility to bind the book. One of the exceptions was the sumptuous purple silk-bound presentation copy delivered to the Emperor Charles V. As an interesting note, a Fabrica was discovered in Canada that was heavily annotated and as such had a low value. Who wants a book that of this importance that is so heavily hand-written? Analysis of the writing and style indicate that this copy belonged to Vesalius himself and was most probably the basis for a third edition that was never published. The annotations are used in the "New Fabrica" and if you are interested, here is a PDF file of a 2014 article on this topic.
Today we do not know how many books were actually printed as part of the first and the second edition of the Fabrica. Because of the time passed, lost or damaged books, during the last century efforts have been made to inventory the number of Fabricas still in existence, in studies made by Cushing in 1943 and Horowiz and Collins in 1984.The latest effort to account for the total number of these books was made by Stephen N. Joffe, MD, and Veronica Buchanan, MA in 2015 for both the 1543 and the 1555 editions of the Fabrica. Their papers were presented in February 2015 at the interdisciplinary symposium “Vesalius and the Invention of the Modern Body” in St. Louis, MO.
Dr. Joffe is the author of the book “Andreas Vesalius: The Making, the Madman, and the Myth”. Veronica Buchanan is the Archivist at the University of Cincinnati Henry R. Winkled Center for the History of the Health Professions.
The authors of these papers estimate that there are 64 complete copies surviving of the estimated 300 – 500 first edition printed in 1543. While a similar printing run is estimated for the 1555 edition, only 58 complete copies survive in the USA The papers can be read and downloaded on the following links:
"Updated Census in USA of First Edition of Andreas Vesalius’ ‘De Humani Corporis Fabrica’ of 1543”
READ DOWNLOAD
“An Updated Census of the Edition of 1555 of Andreas Vesalius’ De Humani Corporis Fabrica in the United States of America” READ DOWNLOAD
Note: The following link was sent to me by Dr. Elizabeth Murray and refers to the study by Joffe and Buchanan. The article “Accounting for an Historic Text” is from the University of Cincinnati Newsletter. Dr. Miranda
Sources
1. “Updated Census in USA of First Edition of Andreas Vesalius’ ‘De Humani Corporis Fabrica’ of 1543” Joffe, SN; Buchanan V. International Archives of Medicine; 2015: 8:1
2. “An Updated Census of the Edition of 1555 of Andreas Vesalius’ De Humani Corporis Fabrica in the United States of America” International Archives of Medicine; 2015: 8:1
3. Cushing, Harvey: A Bio-bibliography of Andreas Vesalius 2nd edition. Hamden: Conn.
4. Garrison, Daniel H., Hast, Malcom H.: Andreas Vesalius: The Fabric of the Human Body. Published S. Karger, Basel; 2014
5. "Andreas Vesalius; The Making, the Madman, and the Myth" Joffe, Stephen N. Persona Publishing 2009
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The [greater omentum] is a large, fatty apron-like structure that covers the abdominal viscera inferior to the greater curvature of the stomach. It is formed by a double peritoneal layer that contains fat, vessels, lymphatics, and nerves. This double peritoneal structure is continuous with the anterior and posterior serosal layers of the greater curvature of the stomach, drapes inferiorly, sometimes all the way to the pelvis and the folds upon itself posteriorly and superiorly ascending to become continuous with the anterior and posterior serosal layer of the transverse colon. Because it folds upon itself, the greater omentum can be considered to be a four-layered structure. See accompanying image.
The greater omentum contains vessels that arise from the right and left gastroepiploic arteries and veins as well as omental (epiploic) branches of the greater curvature vascular arcade.
The left border of the greater omentum reaches to the splenic hilum, while the right border extends as far as the pylorus and inferior aspect of the first portion of the duodenum. Because of its location, covering the intestines and its apron-like structure, the greater omentum is also known as the “surgeon’s apron”.
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The term ‘abdominopelvic ligament” has been discussed in this article. The greater omentum has several “ligament” components that stretch between abdominal viscera. They are the:
• Gastrocolic ligament: Main portion of the greater omentum extending between the stomach and the transverse colon
• Gastrosplenic ligament: The portion of the greater omentum stretching between the stomach and spleen
• Splenorenal ligament: A continuation of the greater omentum stretching from the left kidney to the spleen.
As a side note, the lesser omentum (related to the lesser curvature of the stomach) contains less fat than the greater omentum.
First image(s) modified from the original by Henry VanDyke Carter. Public Domain
Second image(s) property of: CAA.Inc.. Photographer: D.M. Klein
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The root term [-dacry-] originates from the Greek word [δάκρυ] (d?kry), meaning “tear”, as in “a tear in your eye”. The equivalent Latin-derived root term is [-lacrim] from the Latin word [lacrima], meaning the same.
Here are some examples of the use of this root term:
- Dacryocystitis: Inflammation of the lacrimal sac. Look up [-cyst-], and [-itis]
- Dacryoadenitis: Inflammation of the lacrimal gland. Look up [-aden-], and [-itis]
- Dacryostenosis: Narrowing or blockage of a tear duct. Look up [stenosis]
- Dacryocystolithiasis: Presence of stones (calculi) in the lacrimal system. What is then a dacryocystolithectomy?
Image by Henry Vandyke Carter [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
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The root term [-aden-] originates from the Greek word [αδένας] (adénas), meaning “gland”.
Glands are organs or groups of cells that internally secrete a substance and release it. When the substance is released into the bloodstream the substance will be known as a hormone and the gland as an endocrine gland. If the substance is released into an organ cavity or outside the body, the substance will have different names (sweat, sebum, mucus, etc.) and the gland will be known as an exocrine gland. Here are some examples of the use of this root term:
- Adenitis: Inflammation of a gland
- Adenocarcinoma: Cancer of a gland or a cancer that has a glandular look to it
- Lymphadenitis: Inflammation of a lymph gland (node)
- Lymphadenopathy: Disease of the lymph glands (nodes)
Note: The links to Google Translate include an icon that will allow you to hear the pronunciation of the word.
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The complex suffix [-opathy] is formed by two combined suffixes. The first one is similar in origin to the root term [-path-] (basis for the medical term [pathology]); both arise from the Greek word [παθος] (pathos). Although Google Translate says it means “passion”, it also means “feeling”, “suffering” or a “distressed state” (Skinner, 1970). If we add the second suffix ending [-y] meaning “process”, a simple translation of the complex suffix [-opathy] is “disease process”, or “disease”.
It was first used by Galen of Pergamon (129AD – 200AD) as a term to denote a disturbance of a vital process. Vital processes were a convoluted attempt at explaining human physiology. Although wrong, Galen’s physiology was used for almost 1,400 years! You can read more on Galen’s physiological system here.
This suffix is widely used in medicine. Following are some examples:
- Cardiomyopathy: Disease of the heart muscle
- Myopathy: Muscle disease
- Nephropathy: Kidney disease
- Arthropathy: Joint disease
- Lymphadenopathy: Disease of the lymph glands (nodes)
Sources:
1. "The origin of Medical Terms" Skinner, AH, 1970
Note: The links to Google Translate include an icon that will allow you to hear the pronunciation of the word.
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UPDATED: Scientific thought today is a given. Today most of us believe something only after it is proven factually. A scientist is recognized by the capacity to change a position if the appropriate experiments, demonstrations and facts against their position are proven. A scientist holds a healthy position of doubt and even if their positions are proven for a long time, they are willing to accept a scientific counterproposal.
When a belief or a position is supported only by a belief without proof, then it falls into the realm of suppositions and religion. In this article I will not discuss this.
The above is written to support why at the time Andrea Vesalius’ opus magnum “De Humani Corporis Fabrica, Libri Septem” was condemned by so many, and how Vesalius’ words ushered the beginnings of scientific thought.
Anatomical and medical teachings flourished with the Greeks and attained its peak with Galen of Pergamon (129AD - 200AD), called by many (Vesalius included) “prince of physicians”. Galen was known for his many published works and his writings were translated into Arabic. This was important, because with the invasion of Rome of Greece many of the published works were lost and later the only way to read Galen was to translate his works back into Greek or Latin. Also many books were lost during the Dark Ages.
After the Dark Ages decline of Medicine, the “light” of the Renaissance brought with it the belief that the Ancient Greeks were never wrong and that if anything was wrong, it was the quality of the translation and the interpretation of the works. Early in his career and because of his knowledge of languages, Vesalius was one to work as a translator for commentaries that were made on Galen. Because of his personal dissection skills and his direct observation of the human body Vesalius started to encounter a problem: what was being taught as human anatomy by Galen’s works was wrong. In many cases Vesalius found clear evidence that Galen used goat, dog, and ape anatomy instead of human anatomy to write his works. This was a slow process of breaking with Galenic teachings. Even in the first edition of the Fabrica (1543) Vesalius, even questioning Galen, would not go too far.
In 1540, three years before the publishing of the Fabrica, Vesalius performed a public anatomy in Bologna. There is a well-written and translated diary of the dissection published by Baldasar Heseler, which many say earned him a place in the title page of the Fabrica. Heseler describes Vesalius’ dissection and lectures as well as the fierce discussions between the host, Matthaeus Cortius (1475 – 1542) and Vesalius. The elderly Cortius, Galen’s book in hand, discussed the impossibility of what Vesalius was demonstrating, arguing that Galen “just cannot be wrong”. This discussion was reenacted during one of the lectures by Rebecca Messbarger, Ph.D. at the “Vesalius and the Invention of the Modern Body” interdisciplinary symposium.
With the publication of the Fabrica the reaction of many Galenists was fierce, probably none more caustic than Jacobus Sylvius (1478 - 1555). Sylvius was a teacher of Vesalius and saw his anti-Galenic position as treason. Known for his propensity to foul language, Sylvius started a personal was against Vesalius, even publishing a small book where he called Vesalius a “madman” plus “purveyor of filth and sewage, pimp, liar, and various epithets unprintable even in our own permissive era” (excerpt from Magner, 1992). Sylvius’ publication was entitled “Vaesani cuiusdam calumniarum in Hippocratis Galenique rem anatomicam depulsio” (A refutation of calumnies by a certain madman against Hippocratic and Galenic anatomy). Garrison (2015) explains the play on words where Sylvius transforms “Vesalii” into “Vaesani” – the madman.
Initially Vesalius tried to be conciliatory and scientific, trying to persuade his opponents with the facts as seen in the human body. His final argument was published in October 1546 in “Epistola rationem modumque propinandi radices Chynae dedocti“ a publication known to many as the “Epistle (letter) on the China Root”. Vesalius used the excuse of writing on a controversial medicinal plant as the venue to explain in detail the reasons why he deemed Galen wrong in many aspects of human anatomy. The “Epistle on the China Root” was printed in Basel by Johannes Oporinus and the introduction was written by Andreas Vesalius’ brother Franciscus. The "Epistle on the China Root" has recently been translated (2015) by Dr. Daniel Garrison, one of the authors of the "New Fabrica".
Personal note: It is clear to me that Vesalius is not the first to promote scientific thought processes, but he is the one that used human anatomy to start the debunking (and acceptance) of portions of what was known at the time in that particular arena. Dr. Miranda
Sources
1. “Jacobus Sylvius (Jacques Dubois) 1478-1555 – Preceptor of Vesalius” JAMA (1966) 195 13; 1147
2. "Andreas Vesalius; The Making, the Madman, and the Myth" Joffe, Stephen N. Persona Publishing 2009
3. “A History of Medicine” Magner, LN Ed. M Deckker Pub 1992
4. “Vesalius: The China Root Epistle. A New Translation and Critical Edition” Garrison DH, 2015 Cambridge University Press
5. “Andreas Vesalius' first public anatomy at Bologna 1540 – An Eyewitness Report by Baldasar Heseler” Eriksson, R 1959 Almquist& Wiksells Boktryck