Preservation of Historical Data—An Appeal

To the Editor:  —Up to the present time there has been no concerted effort made to collect and preserve historical data in regard to the origin, evolution and personnel of our profession in this part of the country. The result of this delinquency has been the total loss of much material that should have been preserved, especially pertaining to medical schools and societies, and biographical matter in connection with the practitioners and teachers of medicine of by-gone days. A good deal of material of this character is still obtainable if a systematic effort is made to locate and preserve it. It is in the possession of individuals, families and private libraries and will eventually be lost. The Western Association for the Preservation of Medical Records was organized in May, 1909, for the purpose of collecting the historical and biographical records of the profession of the west and south. We wish