p • im \ mm Wix4W^-’ : :,r;± ■ HBf931S£ 511 » IlfeMSflt BP 1 ■ { 'miMmmM (aSs w?:'.1'< i ■ "'?>■-■•■• ''>’.•■ : ■ ■ *: bZ4w. : r (9 It 0 ^G?4- P3YV\ REPORTS. CONCERNING THE WISTAR INSTITUTE OF ANATOMY. On Monday, March 4, the Board of Managers of the Wistar Institute of Anatomy held its annual meeting to consider the work of the year just closed and to approve plans for the year 1907. As the principal aim of the Institute is to serve the science of anatomy it may be of interest to present here a brief excerpt from the Director’s report, which reviewed the essential points of the year’s activities, gave a full statement of the Institute’s finances and suggested plans for the future. The general plan of the Institute, outlined early in 1905, was to organize an Advisory Board of Anatomists, which should be representa¬ tive of the active research anatomists of the country, and by the assist¬ ance of such a Board to determine from time to time the details of a plan which would enable the Wistar Institute, with is modest but steadily increasing endowment, to render the greatest aid to the science of anatomy. The plan further contemplated the organization of a local scientific staff, the assembling of such laboratory equipment as would 1 be required, not only in the ordinary research work of the Institute, but also from time to time in extraordinary researches originating here or elsewhere, and the constant addition to the museum of materials of actual scientific value. The plan met with the approval of those anatomists who were consulted. The Advisory Board at its first meeting prepared definite suggestions for the establishment of a local research staff and for placing the Institute in the proper relation to research anatomy. ^ The following committees were appointed: On Neurology and the Establishment of Relations with the Interna¬ tional Association of Academies: Dr H. H. Donaldson, Chairman; Dr. L. F. Barker, Dr. F. P. Mall, Dr. J. P. McMurrich, Dr. C. S. Minot. On the relations of the Wistar Institute to American Anatomists: Prof. S. H. Gage, Chairman; Dr. G. Carl Huber, Dr. G. A. Piersol. On Comparative Anatomy and Embryology: Dr. G. S. Huntington, Chairman; Dr. E. G. Conklin, Dr. F. P. Mall. p z a z s o 120 The Anatomical Record June 1, ’07. Aside from the routine duties in connection with a public museum almost the entire year 1905 was spent in developing the plans suggested. At the beginning of 1906, the records of which we have just officially closed, the Institute secured as its research chief in neurology Dr. Henry H. Donaldson and the real work was begun. Later in the year the scien¬ tific staff was augumented by the election of Dr. George L. Streeter and Dr. S. Hatai as Associates in Neurology, making a total of seven on the staff. The internal readjustment of the affairs of the Institute and the equip¬ ment of the laboratories have progressed steadily during the year. In April, 1906, the second meeting of the Advisory Board was called, and the results of their discussion are briefly set forth in the following suggestions: 1. That the Institute initiate a study of racial anatomy of the brain and cooperate with foreign institutes to secures brains of other races. 2. That the Neurological Committee be requested to consider means for the further organization of neurological workers in this country. 3. That it be recommended to develop a staff of expert laboratory assistants, such as draughtsmen, modelers, and technicians, to facilitate the mechanical work of research. 4. That investigators be admitted from time to time by the Director to the full advantages of the laboratories as guests for such periods as may be determined upon. 5. That whenever opportunity offers of obtaining specially desirable material for the study of comparative anatomy and embryology this should be secured and preserved for future use. Of suggestion No. 1 our report will show an addition to our collection of 77 human brains, representing the racial anatomy of this organ. Nine of these specimens are worthy of special mention, but for obvious reasons their identity must be withheld. This is an important part of our work, and the large number collected during the year is due primarily to our relations with other institutions. The collection of human brains representing race types is perhaps one of our most important and immediate duties as a museum, for this will be impossible in the not very distant future. Concerning recommendation No. 2, it may be said that the Neurological Committee has made progress. Its work is not yet completed and cannot be reported in full. xAn effort is being made to connect our Institute with other institutions which will furnish opportunities for clinical work and the collection of another class of material. June 1 , '07. The Anatomical Eecord 121 Recommendation No. 3 is perhaps one of the most important for the success of onr laboratory and can be carried ont when our income is augmented or when we are able to economize in some other direction. To make our facilities complete and satisfactory we must have labora¬ tory assistants, draughtsmen, modelers, and technicians as recommended. It is just here that most laboratories are weak and are unable to furnish the investigator with that perfection of apparatus and technical assistance which will enable him to complete his researches. This part of our force will be developed as rapidly as possible. It must be said, however, that such equipment should come slowly as the work demands it, other¬ wise there will be a useless waste of energy and funds. Investigators are admitted to our laboratories as proposed in recom¬ mendation No. 4. A number have availed themselves of the opportunity during the year. Concerning recommendation No. 5 it may be said that we have collected and stored material for comparative anatomy whenever the opportunity presented itself. The museum is especially rich in certain lines and some of this material has been sent to investigators in other laboratories. As a result of our effort to create here a Central Anatomical Institute and of our decision to follow neurology for the present as our major subject we received, in February, from the Central Commission for Brain Investigation, through the Imperial Academy of Sciences at Vienna, a formal recognition of the Wistar Institute as an international central institute for brain research in America. Hereafter all work in America in cooperation with the Central Brain Commission may be communicated through the Wistar Institute. In May a meeting of this Commission was held in Vienna. Professor Donaldson, as a member and the Director of the Institute, by special invi¬ tation, attended this meeting. The actions of this Commission, soon to be published by Professor Waldeyer, will be of interest to neurologists. Naturally our museum growth has been greatest in neurological material, and while not great in numbers every specimen is significant. In the museum catalogue during the year 148 entries have been made, comprising 27 series of neurological preparations containing 2568 slides; 23 series of shad embryos, 6 reconstructions of the developing shad's heart, 2 models of embryo shad (the series of embryos, reconstructions and models all belonging to one research), and 77 human brains of special value and interest, the remaining entries consist of a variety of anatomical material. Of the human brains received 63 were negro brains presented The Anatomical Record.— No. 5. 122 The Anatomical Record June 1, ’07 . by Professor Franklin P. Mall, of Johns Hopkins University. They represent a series which has been carefully studied for certain race characteristics (American Journal of Anatomy, Yol. V, Ho. 4,) and are now held for future investigations on the brain of this race. Nine brains of special individual interest have been received during the year. In addition to these the museum has acquired a number of special preparations presenting normal human anatomy, which add to the attrac¬ tiveness of this part of the museum, though they are not of special research significance. The equipment of the laboratories has required no small amount of attention. Such apparatus as may be purchased in the markets has been supplied. The best forms of Zeiss microscopes, photographic lenses, the newest types of microtomes, and the many other appliances which go to make up a laboratory equipment have been furnished. Among the special devices which have been built in our own shop may be mentioned the projection and photomicrographic apparatus. This instrument is designed to meet the requirements of the anatomical labora¬ tory where drawing or photographs from sections or other objects may be required and obtained with the least possible effort and minimum amount of time, or where the object may be studied directly and measurements made by means of this apparatus without the photographic processes. The apparatus is always in working order, no rearrangement of cumber¬ some pieces being necessary to operate it. The apparatus is mounted in a dark room, with a developing room adjoining, directly in one of our main laboratories so that the work of preserving, preparing, and photo¬ graphing or drawing a specimen may be done on the same floor within a radius of a few feet. Although we now have two large microtomes the reconstruction of a new brain-cutting microtome for much finer and better work is under¬ way. This will add to our facilities for producing valuable series of brain sections. As anatomy has been studied by the various mechanical means of analyses there now remains the chemical means of attack. For this purpose the Institute has recently equipped a bio-chemic laboratory supplied with all the necessary apparatus, much of which was constructed in our own shop. I mention in some detail these bits of special equip¬ ment to emphasize the fact that our shop facilities make it possible to supply any apparatus which cannot be purchased in the market but which may be demanded for special research work. Concerning library facilities it is not necessary for me to say that June 1, *07 . The Anatomical Record 123 Philadelphia is uneqnaled in this respect, the magnificent library of the Academy of Natural Sciences, of the American Philosophical Society, of the College of Physicians, and of the University of Pennsylvania, not to mention a number of other large libraries are all accessible to the mem¬ bers of our laboratory. Of the Institute’s library it may be said that here are to be found all the principal journals and reference books required in anatomical work. This year 46 new volumes were added to our library, making a total to date of 1486 bound volumes. We have received 41 periodicals and 14 books issued in parts, 55 in all. The reprints have all been carefully catalogued under both author and subject. One of our most important accessions is, perhaps, a complete set of the bibliography cards relating to microscopy, physiology, and anatomy, issued by the Concilium Bibliographicum. They are divided as follows: Microscopy, 3230 cards; physiology, 16,098 cards, and anatomy, 28,056 cards, making a total of 47,384 cards correctly filed and accessible. These cards represent bibliographical data in the three subjects named from 1898 to date, excepting in physiology, in which branch the publication was discontinued from 1899 to 1904, but was resumed in 1905. This set of cards of the Concilium Bibliographicum is, I believe ,the only set in Phila¬ delphia, and is, of course, open to anyone who may desire to use it. While every book has been accessioned, I regret to say that on account of lack of time we have been unable to complete our card catalogue of the library. This will be taken up during the summer months when there are less demands from other directions upon the time of the librarian. The neurological library belonging to Professor H. H. Donaldson has been placed in the Institute for the use of investigators in the laboratories. The library consists of more than 1000 bound volumes and 4000 re¬ prints and subscribes to 14 scientific journals. It forms a most valuable acquisition to our working equipment. In this connection I must also mention the very valuable library, con¬ sisting of some 4000 volumes, largely scientific, willed to the Institute by General Wistar and which has been placed in dust-proof cases in a specially prepared room at the Institute. It is with pardonable pride that I record the results of our efforts to establish research in our laboratories and make our museum subservient thereto. Investigations for the present are directed to neurology, and the chief resources of the Institute are being expended to develop research in this department; there is no desire, however, or effort made to limit researches to this field, should any investigator desire to pursue in our 124 The Anatomical Record June 1, ’07. laboratories investigations in any other field. In neurology, under the direction of Professor Donaldson, some fourteen pieces of research are underway in our own laboratory while a number of others are being prosecuted elsewhere, also under Professor Donaldson’s direction. In pursuing researches in neurology it is essential to have an abundant supply of fresh material, and a single type of animal tends to increase the accuracy of deductions. It is for this reason that we have established a colony of Albino rats which are bred to a standard of weight and size and furnish material of the proper kind. This colony comprises several hundred animals. In addition to this we have established also a colony of opossums (Didelpliys virginiana) the only representative of its family in America and presenting an extremely interesting anatomy from the neurological and embryological standpoint. These two forms will furnish abundant material of its kind for laboratory use. Every effort will be made to strengthen our relations with other labora¬ tories and to assist in every possible way in promoting researches in anatomy. To this end we have attempted to take the most liberal view in all matters relating to the privileges offered by the Institute, a policy which I believe will tend to knit together in the closest bonds the men who are so unselfishly devoting their lives to the development of our science. A number of men have availed themselves of the laboratory privileges during the year and we are glad to say that there is always room and the necessary supplies for the man who has a problem to solve and knows how to solve it. At their recent meeting the Board of Managers of the Institute took a number of important steps for the promotion of our work. They authorized the Director to dispose of such materials of the museum as have only taxonomic interest and secure in lieu thereof materials related more properly to the problem of the Institute; they also authorized the support of a research room at the Woods Hole Laboratory, and a subven¬ tion to the American Journal of Anatomy. The Director was also authorized to make such arrangements with the Graduate School of the University of Pennsylvania for the promotion of research work in anatomy as will be mutually beneficial, and the same arrangements and privileges are to be extended to other universities which may desire to cooperate. The details of such arrangements will be considered by the Advisory Board. M. J. Greenman. Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2017 with funding from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Alternates https://archive.org/details/concerningwistarOOgree THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF ANATOMY. EDITORAIL BOARD. CHARLES R. BARDEEN, Univ. of Wisconsin. HENRY H. DONALDSON, Wistar Institute. THOMAS DWIGHT, . Harvard University. JOSEPH MARSHALL FLINT, Univ. of Cal. SIMON H. GAGE, . . . Cornell Univ. G. CARL HUBER, . . Univ. of Mich. GEO. S. HUNTINGTON, . Columbia Univ. FRANKLIN P. MALL, Johns Hopkins Univ. J. P. McMURRICH, . . Univ. of Mich. CHARLES S. MINOT, . . Harvard Univ. GEORGE A. P1ERSOL, . Univ. of Penna. H. McE. KNOWER, Secretary, Johns Hopkins University % The American Journal or Anatomy is issued in quarterly numbers, each number of about 125 pages. A volume of four numbers will contain at least 500 pages, with plates and figures. The net price per Current volume, Postage Prepaid, is: To subscribers in the United States and Canada, $5.00; To subscribers in other countries, $5.50. Remit direct by Postal Money Order; Mandat de posts ; Postanveisung , or by draft on New York. Circulars giving prices of back volumes and special rates on sets, and containing the contents of Vols. I, II, III, IV, V, and VI will be supplied free to applicants. This Journal is the official organ of the Association oe American Anatomists. The Anatomical Record will contain articles of the special character indicated in the announcement in No. 1. (In back of Volume VI, No. l f of this Journal.) Manuscripts may be sent to any of the editors. Subscriptions and all other communi¬ cations should be sent to the American Journal of Anatomy, Corner of Wolfe and Monument Streets, Baltimore, Md., U. S. A.