Page:The Armed Forces Institute of Pathology-ItsFirstCentury.djvu/8

Viii cases, much teaching material is prepared and made available for loan to governmental and nongovernmental pathologists.

Starting soon after World War II, the Institute embarked on the publication of the fascicles of the "Atlas of Tumor Pathology," in conjunction with the Division of Medical Sciences of the National Research Council and, specifically, the Committee on Pathology and its Subcommittee on Oncology. To date, some 33 of the 39 fascicles of the Atlas have been completed and are available at nominal cost through the American Registry of Pathology. These fascicles have been enthusiastically received by pathologists throughout the world. It is through the fascicles that the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology is known by practically every pathologist and other medical workers in all countries. While the authors of these fascicles are outstanding authorities throughout the United States and the United Kingdom, it has only been through the efforts of the staff of the Institute, the American Registry of Pathology, the Institute's Medical Illustration Service, and the National Research Council that the publication and dissemination of the fascicles has been made possible.

With the designation of the Institute as an Armed Forces activity, the U.S. Public Health Service also began to play an active role in the Institute and has had pathologists assigned to the staff since that time. This Public Health Service participation was endorsed during the centennial year with the establishment of the Radiation Pathology Registry; additional financial and personnel support was given to this important endeavor so vital within the framework of the Institute's organization.

The greatest problem that confronted the Institute and The Historical Unit in beginning the compilation of this history of the Museum-Institute was securing an author who could sift through the mountain of records and other historical material that would tell the story of the organization. It was desired that the story be told in such a manner that it would have appeal to the lay reader but still preserve the scientific content. In Robert Selph Henry. Litt.D., of Alexandria. Virginia, such a man was found. Dr. Henry is one of the leading American historians and famed for his writings of the Mexican War and the American Civil War. He is a man of varied interests who has served many years as Vice President of the Association of American Railroads and has prepared numerous treatises on railroading. In addition to being a member of the Board of Regents of Vanderbilt University, his alma mater. Dr. Henry was also one of the consultants in the preparation of the third edition of "Webster's New International Dictionary." Within a brief period of 2 years. Dr. Henry sorted through the voluminous document file of the Institute and