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fwd: Frankenstein: Penetrating the Secrets of Nature 

I am forwarding a message from the History of Medicine Division of the 
National Library of Medicine (NLM) in Bethesda, Maryland (USA) about an 
exhibit that will still be in place when the ISHN meets in Annapolis in 
June.

The Division's phone number is included for folks who would like 
further information or want to arrange a tour.  You can find additional 
information about the NLM and other repositories at the "Archives and 
Special Collections in Maryland, Virginia & the District of Columbia" 
web site  created for 
attendees of the ISHN meeting.

Cheers,

Russell Johnson
HISTNEUR-L administrator



--- Begin Forwarded Message ---
Date: Tue, 21 Apr 98 17:05:40 -0500
From: patricia_tuohy@nes.nlm.nih.gov
Subject: Frankenstein: Penetrating the Secrets of Nature
To: rjohnson@library.ucla.edu
Cc: elizabeth_fee@occshost.nlm.nih.gov
Reply-To: patricia_tuohy@nes.nlm.nih.gov

     Below is a description/press release about the National Library of 
     Medicine's current exhibition which may be of interest to members 
     attending the ISHN conference.
       
     
     The National Library of Medicine is featuring an exhibition called 
     "Frankenstein: Penetrating the Secrets of Nature," which can be viewed 
     at the Library Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (with 
     extended hours Thursday, till 9:00 p.m.), and Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 
     12:30 p.m through August 15 1999. 
     
     "This thought-provoking exhibit is both timely and timeless," 
     explained NLM Director Donald A.B. Lindberg, M.D. "On Halloween eve, 
     its theme is entirely appropriate, of course. But this exhibit 
     explores some of the fundamental questions of all time," Dr. Lindberg 
     explained. "Why has the public at times feared science? Have changes 
     in communication technology made the public feel close to the center 
     of decision-making regarding science policy? If so, has this allayed 
     their fear of science?" 
     
     The exhibit will feature artifacts associated with resuscitating the 
     nearly dead from the early nineteenth century, early efforts at blood 
     transfusion, experiments conducted with "animal electricity," and 
     other attempts to reanimate dead bodies. Other parts of the exhibition 
     include posters and pacemakers, masks and monsters, comics and 
     cartoons, books and brains, all illustrating the ways in which people 
     have coped with their desires, hopes, and fears of medical science.
     
     "Frankenstein, the tale of a young man of science who creates a 
     monster by animating human flesh, represents an enduring myth that has 
     gripped our imaginations for almost two hundred years," said Elizabeth 
     Fee, Ph.D., Chief of NLM's History of Medicine Division. "This 
     exhibition provides a serious historical examination of the many 
     meanings of the Frankenstein legend. It starts with Mary Shelley's 
     rational but tragic creature who searches vainly for human 
     companionship and explores the different meanings of the celluloid 
     monster of 1930s Hollywood and its continuing echoes in popular 
     culture. We also see this exhibition as an opportunity to recognize 
     some of the social, ethical, and philosophical concerns raised by such 
     scientific endeavors as cloning, xenografting, the Human Genome 
     Project, and other new developments in biomedicine." 
     
     Susan E. Lederer, Ph.D., Visiting Curator of the exhibition, noted, 
     "Unlike Mary Shelley's day when access to medical and scientific 
     knowledge was limited to a wealthy and educated elite, today we have 
     unparalleled access to such information through institutions like the 
     National Library of Medicine, through the popular media, and through 
     the World Wide Web. The challenge is how to navigate this ocean of 
     information to educate ourselves about new developments in biomedical 
     science in order to make responsible decisions." As Mary Shelley long 
     ago explained, we must like Prometheus, "use knowledge as a weapon
     to defeat evil, by leading mankind, beyond the state where they are 
     sinless through ignorance, to that in which they are virtuous by 
     wisdom." 
     
     Those interested in a tour of the exhibit or additional information 
     may contact the Exhibition Program at(301) 435-5240.

--- End Forwarded Message ---
<HISTNEUR-L@library.ucla.edu>