Page:The Armed Forces Institute of Pathology-ItsFirstCentury.djvu/201

THE MUSEUM IN A WORLD AT WAR material as was obtainable; and gave detailed directions for the fixation and preservation of pathological specimens. The circular covered a broad field, including microscopic materials as well as gross organs and tissues; such pathogenic bacteria as might be isolated in the American Expeditionary Forces; specimens of animal parasites, preferably alive; helmets and other bodily protections; instruments and apparatus; and paintings, drawings, and diagrams of medical interest. "For the psychic effect, a missile removed from the body of a wounded soldier may be given to him if he wishes to keep it," said the circular in paragraph 12. In view, however, of the desirability of securing such material for the Museum, the hope was expressed that when the scientific value of the comparative study of such missiles was explained to them, soldiers might be induced to give up these intensely personal souvenirs of service.

Reference was also made in the circular to General Orders No. 78, General Headquarters, AEF, dated 25 May 1918, in which the earlier prohibition against the use of cameras by anyone other than the Signal Corps was liberalized, and the Medical Department was given responsibility for "technical photography connected with the recording of photographic processes of surgical and pathological matters." 46 The change in the orders as to the use of cameras had little immediate effect. Only a few of the medical units in France had qualified medical photographers in their ranks. Because of the earlier ban on making photographs, still fewer units had suitable cameras among those which had been brought over in spite of the bar to their use. These were put to work; a few others were secured from the French; 3 were borrowed from the Signal Corps; and 24 were secured from the X-ray Department of the Medical Corps itself. This was enough to make a start on the business of securing a photographic record for information and study. 47

Whether because of the relaxation of restrictions upon non-Signal Corps photography, or because of some easing of the ship-tonnage situation, or because of an increasing recognition of the value and importance of the Museum's program, or because of a combination of all three, the ban on Museum Unit No. I getting to France was lifted.

This was done in Courier Cablegram No. 7, 20 July 1918, from the Com-