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Medical History

Veeder (Vedder) Family in New York, Rome and Yokohama

March 21, 2021 by Jaap Harskamp 2 Comments

The Lair of the Sea SerpentYoung Alexander and Elihu Vedder were raised in Schenectady, New York. The family had Dutch roots (their parents were cousins). The elder brother was a physician, the younger a painter. In their career choices they showed an outward-looking attitude, cherishing the challenge of foreign experiences while assimilating the riches of cultural exchange. [Read more…] about Veeder (Vedder) Family in New York, Rome and Yokohama

Filed Under: Capital-Saratoga, History Tagged With: art, Art History, Dutch History, Genealogy, Medical History, New Netherland, Schenectady

Museums, Grave Robbing & The Dissection of Boxing ‘Giant’ Charles Freeman

March 7, 2021 by Jaap Harskamp 1 Comment

wood engraving of New York rioters trying to break their way into a doctors dissection areaGrave robbing has a long history in religion and science. As monasteries and churches were repositories of relics, religious institutions competed to take possession of bones, teeth, or skulls. Members of the clergy supported grave robbers – long before the word came into circulation – if a body, or parts thereof, were worthy of reverence. [Read more…] about Museums, Grave Robbing & The Dissection of Boxing ‘Giant’ Charles Freeman

Filed Under: History, New York City Tagged With: boxing, Medical History, New York City, sports, Sports History

The Science of Lunar Lunacy

March 6, 2021 by Paul Hetzler 1 Comment

The supermoon of November 14th 2016 courtesy Wikimedia suer TomruenAs if today’s war on science wasn’t bad enough, it seems researchers have been courting further bad press by admitting they’ve spent countless hours on lunacy studies. To clarify, this research is on lunar effects on our behavior and sleep – I don’t know of any work being done to analyze sheer foolishness and irrational acts, the other kind of lunacy. Given the events that dominated the news this January, though, maybe that would be a fair line of inquiry. [Read more…] about The Science of Lunar Lunacy

Filed Under: Adirondacks & NNY, Nature Tagged With: astronomy, Medical History, Mental Health, nature, Science

One Not-So-Benign Influence Of The D&H Canal

January 26, 2021 by John Conway 3 Comments

canal boats unloading their coal at RondoutThe positive impacts of the Delaware & Hudson Canal on Sullivan County were indisputable. With its opening in 1828, the 108-mile-long waterway made it possible for the first time to easily transport goods in and out of the area, and directly led to the growth of the tanning and bluestone industries. Entire communities, such as Barryville, Wurtsboro and Phillipsport, owe their very existence to the D & H, and while the canal was in operation, each was among the largest communities in the county in terms of commerce and population. [Read more…] about One Not-So-Benign Influence Of The D&H Canal

Filed Under: History, Hudson Valley - Catskills, Western NY Tagged With: Delaware & Hudson Canal, Medical History, Public Health, Sullivan County, Transportation History

Napoleon’s Private Parts On Fifth Avenue: A Cautionary Tale

January 10, 2021 by Jaap Harskamp 5 Comments

The Field of WaterlooThe culture of ancient Rome banned the moving or dividing of corpses. Christians of the third and fourth centuries maintained the desire for proper burial. A call for corporeal integrity runs throughout medieval culture. Bodies intact were ready for the Last Judgment when soul and body were reunited. [Read more…] about Napoleon’s Private Parts On Fifth Avenue: A Cautionary Tale

Filed Under: Adirondacks & NNY, Capital-Saratoga, History, Hudson Valley - Catskills, Mohawk Valley, New York City, Western NY Tagged With: art, Manhattan, Medical History, Military History

Secrets, Poison Gas and Chemotherapy (Podcast)

October 16, 2020 by Bob Cudmore Leave a Comment

The Historians LogoThis week on The Historians Podcast, Jennet Conant discusses her book The Great Secret: The Classified World War II Disaster That Launched the War on Cancer. Also heard is film maker Nick Spark who lobbied for U.S. government recognition of medical doctor Stewart Alexander whose work chronicling the Bari disaster in southern Italy was the impetus to developing chemotherapy. [Read more…] about Secrets, Poison Gas and Chemotherapy (Podcast)

Filed Under: Adirondacks & NNY, Capital-Saratoga, History, Hudson Valley - Catskills, Mohawk Valley, New York City, Western NY Tagged With: Books, Medical History, Military History, Podcasts, World War Two

Nursing Uniforms: A Short History

October 1, 2020 by Suzanne Spellen Leave a Comment

1930s Marvin Neitzel nurses uniformNursing uniforms can trace their origins back to the healer nuns of Medieval Europe. Up until recently, British nurses were still referred to as “sisters,” a reminder of their origins.

The nurse’s cap, which was a de rigeur part of the nurse’s uniforms up until the end of the 20th century, evolved from a nun’s wimple, the traditional head covering. The larger caps had a practical purpose in keeping the hair in place, but by the First World War, the caps had shrunk to almost decorative purposes. By mid-century they were more a symbol of accomplishment and nursing pride. Capping ceremonies were held to commemorate the completion of a nurse’s studies. By the 1970s, they were almost totally out of favor, and largely not required. Today, bouffant caps or surgeon’s caps have replaced them, when needed. [Read more…] about Nursing Uniforms: A Short History

Filed Under: Adirondacks & NNY, Capital-Saratoga, History, Hudson Valley - Catskills, Mohawk Valley, New York City, Western NY Tagged With: Medical History, Military History, Troy

Electropathic Cure: Quackery in the Electric Era

September 20, 2020 by Jaap Harskamp 1 Comment

A Galvanized Corpse What historians now describe as the Victorian Age, was then referred to as the Electric Era. Electricity lit up city centers and transformed the means of communication. Constant availability of power led to automation which, in turn, allowed for the mass production of goods. Electricity gradually entered the home and convenience stores were filled with new household devices. Even the death penalty went electric. [Read more…] about Electropathic Cure: Quackery in the Electric Era

Filed Under: Adirondacks & NNY, Capital-Saratoga, History, Hudson Valley - Catskills, Mohawk Valley, New York City, Western NY Tagged With: Medical History

Medical Scrubs: A Short History

September 18, 2020 by Suzanne Spellen Leave a Comment

Board VitalsBeginning in the 1940s, medical wear began the journey towards what we know and easily recognize today.

What we call “scrubs” originated as the white gowns and drapes that were worn by surgeons and operating staff. At first, everything was white – the doctor’s coats, the operating gowns and the nurse’s uniforms. Operating rooms were also a gleaming sanitary white, with bright task lighting. [Read more…] about Medical Scrubs: A Short History

Filed Under: Adirondacks & NNY, Capital-Saratoga, History, Hudson Valley - Catskills, Mohawk Valley, New Exhibits, New York City, Western NY Tagged With: Medical History

Doctors in the Garden of Science

August 26, 2020 by Amy Catania Leave a Comment

Doctors in Saranac Lake, Courtesy of Jan Dudones.In a time when compassion and logic often seem in short supply, many of us have a newfound appreciation for doctors and scientists.

Saranac Lake, NY’s history is full of professionals in medicine and science who had a passion for learning and an intense curiosity about the natural world. [Read more…] about Doctors in the Garden of Science

Filed Under: Adirondacks & NNY, History, Nature Tagged With: Historic Saranac Lake, Medical History, Saranac Lake, tuberculosis

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