BACKGROUND AND BEGINNINGS
49
and fifth cervical vertebrae and the perforated spinal cord, all of which are now on exhibition in the Museum. 34[1]
With the surrender at Appomattox and the collapse of the Confederacy, the war which had been responsible for the birth and growth of the Museum was approaching an end. Soon the grand armies of the Union would march in review up Pennsylvania Avenue and would disband to their homes. Many of the war-born institutions would come to a close — but not the Army Medical Museum. It would continue its mission of showing, by specimens, preparations, and illustrations, the nature and form of disease and injury, and teaching ways and procedures to alleviate suffering and lessen mortality according to the medical lights of the time.
- ↑ 34 (1) Purtle, op. cit., p. 74. (2) Medical and Surgical History of the War of the Rebellion. Surgical History. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1870, pt. I, vol. II, p. 453.
