Executive Notes
4th Annual Medical Museum Open House
by Linda Stratton
Nearly
150 physicians and members of the public attended the Medical Museum and Library’s
open house on Sunday, February 4th. It was a most successful event
and it gave us an opportunity to stop and appreciate the efforts of our Historical
Committee in preserving the history of the development of medicine.
This year’s theme was "Medicine and Surgery in the Civil War". Dr. Bert Davidson, an Upland fertility specialist and well-known medical historian, gave an interesting lecture and slide presentation. Dressed in military uniform, Dr. Davidson reported that Civil War battle surgery was gruesome. Amputation was the only method and gangrene was a common problem. He reported that nearly one-third of the soldiers who underwent amputation died. He talked about common diseases during the Civil War and how doctors relied on mercury, arsenic or bleeding as cures. Dr. Davidson showed how some of the items displayed in the museum’s glass cases were used.
Docent tours of the museum followed Dr. Davidson’s lecture giving attendees the opportunity to view the museum’s multiple display cases that line the walls of the lobby, hallways and conference center. A guest appearance by Charles Brame, as Abraham Lincoln added to the afternoon. Mr. Brame is an actor, educator and expert on Abraham Lincoln. We also had featured appearances by Historical Committee members Dr. Ralph Kleinman as General Robert E. Lee, Dr. Elliott Weinstein as Rhett Butler and Carole Weinstein as Scarlett. The SBCMS Alliance graciously provided hors d’oeuvres, wine, sparkling cider and dessert.
It was a wonderful afternoon. If you have not visited our medical museum I invite you to do so. The museum is a project of the SBCMS Historical Committee and is supported by donations and funds through the Physicians’ Memorial, Gift and Benevolence Fund, a 501(c) (3) charitable organization. Donations of medical equipment, medical books published prior to 1930 and money are encouraged. All donations are tax deductible. If you would like further information contact the Medical Society at (909) 825-6526.
Send mail to Bulletin Managing Editor with questions or comments about the publication.
