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FEATURE

Heroes in Scrubs

By David A. Schulz

The U.S. Army Medical Department Museum at Fort Sam Hous- multiple storylines, starting with the phlebotomy of bloodletting to
ton represents the rarest gem of specialty museums. Visitors of all release “bad humors” with leeches or those new-fangled mechanical
stripes, ages and interests, regardless of background, leave here with substitutes. Or follow progress in disease prevention in mass popu-
more than a gift shop bag. They carry with them a profound appre- lations, from smallpox inoculations in 1777 ordered by General
ciation for the contributions of the Army Medical Department both Washington from Valley Forge. Or chart the history of general anes-
to survival under the extremes of combat as well as to general health- thetics, the implementation of triage, or the development of emer-
care. Most of all, it inspires a new perspective on the courage and gency evacuation vehicles from the hoop-topped wagon ambulances
valor in practicing medical science in the most calamitous of cir- of the 19th century to the evac choppers in use since the close of
cumstances. World War II. Then take a walk through a glistening Korean War-
era Hospital Rail Car!
Beginning with the creation of the U.S. Army in 1775 and its ac-
cordant Medical Corps, exhibits reach back to the republic’s earliest It becomes quickly obvious how tightly the histories of warfare
days. Dozens of display cases featuring hundreds of artifacts depict and medicine intertwine, and at their heart are stories of the people

24 San Antonio Medicine • July 2016