REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. THE Librarian respectfully reports that he has (in conjunction with Dr. Joseph M. Toner, Library Committee) been engaged since the date of the last annual meeting in endeavoring to carry out the expressed wishes of the American Medical Association with regard to the formation of an American National Medical Library, to be located at Washington, D. C. Shortly after the adjournment of the meeting of the Association, held in the city of New Orleans, May, 1869, the following Circular, requesting contributions of books, was prepared and transmitted to the medical journals, officers of medical societies, and colleges, as well as to many of the prominent physicians of the United States, viz: LIBRARY OF AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, Letters of inquiry and business relating to the Library should be addressed to either Robert Reyburn, M. D., Librarian A. M. A., 2129 F Street, or to Joseph M. Toner, M. D., Library Committee A. M. A., 45 Louisiana Avenue. CIRCULAR. The medical profession, and scholars generally, are aware of the ephemeral form in which most of the early American contributions. to the literature of medicine were given to the world, and, indeed, in which many of the more recent are being published. This condition of much of our professional literature is deeply regretted by all, and particularly by those whose taste and research lead them to refer to this class of works, when the fact is made apparent that whole editions of tracts and books have entirely perished through neglect. With a view to provide against such a contingency, and preserve, for the benefit of the profession, in some accessible locality, copies of all home medical publications, the American Medical Association, at its annual meeting in May last, resolved to establish at Washington, D. C., a Library or Repository of American medical works, to which it is believed all the current medical literature of our country will be cheerfully, promptly, and constantly contributed. It is designed that this repository shall contain copies of every contribution by American physicians to the literature and science of medicine, from the earliest settlement of our country, no matter how or where published, including all the books, pamphlets, journals, and even unpublished manuscripts, that can be collected. Nearly all physicians have some book or pamphlet of the character indicated, which may contain facts relative to the diseases of their section published nowhere else, which they can contribute without any inconvenience, and which of itself is of trifling value, yet when many such treatises are assembled together from all parts of our country, embracing its nosology from the earliest period of its settlement, they will form a collection of the greatest importance to the profession. The Librarian of Congress has kindly consented to receive and preserve as a special deposit, in the Government fire-proof building, any collection of medical works the American Medical Association may make, and will catalogue, and keep them in condition to be readily consulted. The accommodation thus offered the Association for accumulating and preserving its library free of cost is generous and most encouraging. Gentlemen having scarce and valuable American medical publications will not hesitate to deposit them in such a safe, central, and national repository, where they will be preserved from destruction and their usefulness secured to the profession. An appeal for contributions to this library is now made, personally and distinctly, to each and every American physician, medical publisher, and editor, to deposit copies of their works in this repository, where they will be carefully kept for reference, and catalogued with the name of the donor. We, the undersigned, members of the American Medical Association, having been selected to carry into effect, as far as practicable, the resolution of the Association to establish a library, have now completed all the necessary arrangements for the reception and preservation of those books that may be sent to our care. Contributions of the class of works mentioned are therefore respectfully |