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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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The word [cathedra] is Greek, from [καθέδρα] meaning "a high chair", a "teacher's chair" or a "throne". The term was later accepted into Latin with the same meaning.
In the early pre-Vesalian days of anatomy, the teachers would seat in a high-chair or cathedra from where they would read the anatomy from a book while a prosector or demonstrator would dissect, expose and point to the structures. The professor would not consider coming down from the cathedra to discuss the anatomy shown. This was changed by Andreas Vesalius who did the dissections and demonstrations himself, using the books as reference or to prove a point.
The term cathedra has been brought to our times, where we refer to the position at the head of a group as the "Chair": Chair of the Science Department, Chair of Surgery, etc.
The word cathedra was used to refer to a Bishop's chair in a church, so that large churches (which had a bishop) are now known as [cathedrals]. It is also said that someone of authority speaking in uncontestable terms is speaking ex-cathedra (from the chair)
In other languages the term "cathedratic" means a teacher in a high position, while in English the term refers to a Bishop speaking from the chair.
The image in this article is a close up of the title page of Mondino de Luzzi’s “Anothomia Corporis Humani” published in 1478. The person on the image could be Alessandra Giliani (1307 - 1326) who is at the foot of the cathedra following the directions of Mondino de Luzzi. Click on the image for a complete depiction of the title page.
Original image courtesy of NLM
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The term [nystagmus] is derived from the Greek word [νυσταγμένος], (nystagm?nos) meaning "sleepy" or "dizzy". It refers to the sensation of dizziness when you are just awakening from a deep sleep.
In medical terminology nystagmus refers to the rapid, usually lateral, movement of the eyes. This movement has a slower component that moves en eye to one side with a secondary rapid component that brings the eye to the starting point. Nystagmus eye movement is usually bilateral and can be unilateral in rare cases.
Nystagmus is a normal capability of the human visual system where the eyes move slightly to change the location of an image on the retina to avoid fatigue of the retinal components. In some individuals this movement is quite visible but it does not cause a problem and is called physiological or congenital nystagmus as shown in the video..
When nystagmus is pathological it can be the cause for vertigo, as the patient feels that the world is moving, when only the eyes are doing so. This can be caused by a pathology in the abducens nerve system.
Nystagmus can be triggered by using warm fluids in the external ear that will cause flow of the fluid in the semicircular canals of the inner ear. You can also see it if you turn a person around in a swiveling chair for a few turns and then stop and watch their eyes. You will see the rapid nystagmus movement of the eye. If you do this experiment, please be careful, as a person with nystagmus will have poor balance and they can fall with potential for injury.
Thanks to Lashkyrie for the use of her video on YouTube.
Note: The links to Google Translate include an icon that will allow you to hear the Greek or Latin pronunciation of the word.
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The midclavicular line is one of the surface reference lines used in surface anatomy of the thorax.
It is a parasagittal vertical plane that passes halfway through the body of the clavicle. The lateral portion of the clavicle is close to the highest point of the shoulder joint (the acromioclavicular joint), while the head (medial aspect) of the clavicle is found just lateral to the jugular notch of the sternum, a depression in the superior aspect of the sternal manubrium.
Although it was originally used as a thoracic reference point, the continuation of the midclavicular line into the abdomen is used today as a reference for laparoscopic procedures, to indicate the location where a trocar must be introduced into the abdomen. As an example, in a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, one of the four trocars (in this case a 5mm trocar) is introduced into the abdomen on the right midclavicular line four fingerbreadths inferior to the costal margin (the lower border of the ribs). This trocar is used to manipulate the gallbladder and is placed in the gallbladder infundibulum.
It is also one of the lines used to describe the abdominal regions.
Sources:
1. "Clinical Anatomy" Brantigan, OC 1963 McGraw Hill
2. "Tratado de Anatomia Humana" Testut et Latarjet 8th Ed. 1931 Salvat Editores, Spain
3. Davis, Gwilym G. "Applied Anatomy: The Construction of the Human Body Considered in Relation to Its Functions, Diseases, and Injuries"; Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott Co., 1910
Image modified from the original Davis, 1910
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The transpyloric plane (also called the transpyloric line) is one of the surface reference lines used in surface anatomy. It is one of the lines used to describe the abdominal regions.
It is a horizontal or transverse plane located halfway between the jugular notch of the sternum, a depression in the superior aspect of the sternal manubrium, and the superior aspect of the symphysis pubis.
The transpyloric plane crosses the body of the first lumbar vertebra and approximates the course and location of the pancreas. The plane also transects the kidney horizontally in half at about the region of the renal hilum. This plane also passes through the origin of the superior mesenteric artery, the body of the gallbladder, and of course through the pylorus of the stomach, from whence the name of this plane arises.
To be precise, the pylorus will be found on or slightly above the transpyloric plane, and slightly to the right of the midline
Sources:
1. "Clinical Anatomy" Brantigan, OC 1963 McGraw Hill
2. "Tratado de Anatomia Humana" Testut et Latarjet 8th Ed. 1931 Salvat Editores, Spain
3. Davis, Gwilym G. "Applied Anatomy: The Construction of the Human Body Considered in Relation to Its Functions, Diseases, and Injuries"; Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott Co., 1910
Image modified from the original Davis, 1910
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Brainstem. Anteroinferior view
The anatomical term crus cerebri is Latin. The term [crus] means "pillar" or "leg", and [cerebri] means "brain", thus it means the "pillars of the brain" or "the brain legs".
It refers to the anterior view of the midbrain or mesencephalon. There are two slightly divergent columns or pillars separated by the interpeduncular fossa, a space or region that contains in its superior aspect the mammillary bodies. These two columns are also known as the "cerebral peduncles".
The interpeduncular fossa is a dilated region of the subarachnoid space and as such it is a cistern called the "interpeduncular cistern". The oculomotor nerve (third cranial nerve) appears on the lateral aspect of the interpeduncular fossa.
The trochlear nerve (4th cranial nerve) wraps around the lateral aspect of each crura cerebri on its way towards the eye.
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A simple surface anatomy division of the abdomen is into four quadrants. A more detailed division of the abdomen is into nine abdominal regions.
The abdominal quadrants are formed by two planes. The first is the midsagittal or median plane. The second one is a transverse or horizontal plane that passes through the umbilicus. This creates four quadrants with specific content as follows:
Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ): This quadrant contains most of the liver, with the gallbladder, portal vein, the distal portion of the stomach, duodenum, head of the pancreas, part of the ascending colon, part of the transverse colon, the right flexure of the colon, and the right kidney and right adrenal gland
Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ): This quadrant contains the tip of the left lobe of the liver, most of the stomach, spleen, body and tail of the pancreas, part of the transverse colon and the left colic flexure, and the left kidney and left adrenal gland
Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ): This quadrant contains the cecum and ascending colon, vermiform appendix, right ovary, the ileocecal junction, right ureter, part of the small intestine, and the right half of the greater omentum
Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ): This quadrant contains the descending colon, sigmoid colon, left ovary, part of the small intestine, and the left half of the greater omentum