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A collection of nine late-19th century microphotographs of sections of the brain or nervous system.
Organization
A collection of nine late-19th century microphotographs of sections of the brain or nervous system. Of these, three are identified as being taken at the New York State Lunatic Asylum at Utica (later Utica State Hospital) “by order of John P. Gray, Medical Superintendent” but the photographer is not named. Six were made in 1872 by J.W.S. Arnold, head of the physiology laboratory at the medical school of the University of the City of New York (now New York University). Several of the Arnold prints have an inscription noting that the preparation photographed was prepared by Edward Constant Seguin, professor of neurology at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, 1867-1888.
The New York State Lunatic Asylum images are undated but cannot be later than 1886 when Gray died in office.
Subject Headings and Related Records
Administrative Information
Archives & Special Collections has no information on the provenance of these items. They were discovered in a box also containing Edward Dowdall’s watercolors of rheumatoid arthritis patients, but there appears to be no connection between the two collections. E.C. Seguin bequeathed his medical instruments and library to the Pathological Laboratory of the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, so it’s possible these items were included.