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Photos exist throughout the collection and were not removed from their original context to this series. This series was created to house photos and scrapbooks that were stored separately from other photos integrated into files within the collection or that were too large to fit within those files. Note was made on the folders within other series when photos and other materials were removed. Materials date from 1849 to 1979.

Major topics in this series include, but are not limited to, the conception of the department (based, in part, on the Johns Hopkins model) and development of pathology research at Duke. The administrative files in this series cover topics related to the day-to-day operation of the department. They include budgets and patient statistics for both the department and Duke Hospital from the 1930s until the 1960s, the development of departmental policies and procedures which impacted the hospital and medical school, and the set-up of subspecialties within the department such as neuropathology. Staffing, equipment, and the physical plant are also covered in these administrative records. Another group within this series includes student and staff applications with evidence of the evolution of the student and staff applications process. Additionally, this series contains groups of records related to grants; research manuscripts, and prospectus; departmental and interdepartmental memos and correspondence; and visitors to department from other medical institutions. The bulk of the biographical information on Wiley D. Forbus is in a folder in this series. Materials date from 1923 to 1966.

Bulk of the series includes accounts and correspondence related to the operation of Duke Pathological Service, Duke University School of Medicine's laboratory and pathological examinations for smaller hospitals and private physicians to aid in the diagnosis or treatment of illness or injury, or in the case of autopsy, to obtain cause of death. Account books and correspondence reveal difficulties in getting compensation for pathological services and other information about small, regional hospitals, especially in North Carolina. Materials date from 1924 to 1960.

Series is divided into two subseries: Personal and Professional Correspondence. The organizational scheme was born out of the original ordering of the collection and because of time constraints and the seemingly logical arrangement, the material was left divided as it was found. An effort was made to list any significant content in all files on the folder tab. Some records were removed to the Restricted Files series and labeled with a similar file name. Attempts were made to note the removal on the outside of the Correspondence folder. Materials date from 1924 to 1978.

Series is organized by autopsy number with significant gaps. Instances where a single autopsy case number has records with correspondence, reports, and statistics are rare. The statistics files are incomplete; however, they are informative. The gaps in this series should not obscure the importance of autopsy. Evidence exists throughout the collection to suggest that the Pathology department was centered around autopsy. Autopsy was the basis for determining not just the disease processes but, also, the life history of the sick individual and was therefore the chief means of educating residents and integral to the teaching of year two medical students. Diagnosis for patients throughout the healthcare system ran through the pathology lab and understood through the reports it generated. Additionally, research was "stimulated by observations at autopsy." Surgical pathological cases were relegated to the Restricted Series when necessary under HIPAA guidelines. Graphic images and content are noted on folder tabs when possible. Practices relating to Segregation are evident. Materials date from 1925 to 1959.

Series is organized by author, Wiley D. Forbus, and year with the topic as part of the folder name. The location the lecture was delivered is also included when possible. The materials for the publication "Medicine in North Carolina" (MNC) are segregated at the end of the series by publication name, i.e., "MNC", because it is a collection of essays and did not easily fit into the organizational scheme. Materials include drafts, reprints, notes, correspondence, transcripts, and photos. Graphic photos are noted on folder tab. Materials date from 1926 to 1976.

Series primarily contains administrative correspondence, reports, and meeting minutes and resolutions related to various Duke University and Duke School of Medicine Committees. Forbus sat on numerous committees including, but not limited to, the Building, Cancer Training, Hanes Fund, and Hospital Administration Committees. Records are a good source of information about the running of Duke University, School of Medicine, and Hospital. Materials date from 1927 to 1969.

Series is organized alphabetically by organization name and then sub divided under the organization name by committee names and conferences when applicable. Series includes materials from annual meetings, administrative records, topical reports, journal review documents, newsletters, and research on committee topics among others. Major topics of interest are the Medical Society of the State of North Carolina (MSSNC) and North Carolina Society of Pathologists Committees on the Coroner's System. This series differs from the Conferences series in that much of the Conferences series is specifically Duke related, whereas, the conferences within the Organizations series are those for national and regional entities. Materials date from 1928 to 1973.

Series includes clinicopathological conference dictations and some reports for the 1950s; School of Medicine pathology course materials including the class curriculum, record, evaluations, ratings, schedules, photos, regulations, procedures, syllabi, manuals, and rosters from 1948 until 1960; files for specialized course materials for topics such as legal medicine; and student comments from 1933 until 1960. The curriculum was designed by Forbus as case method teaching with everything centering around the autopsy. "Teaching is Dr. Forbus' driving force and chief activity...These have been fearsome exercises for many...but the laughter which comes from the autopsy room...indicates that everyone is enjoying the show." The Medical School students in the pathology course helped perform autopsies, studied microscope sections, compared them to the extensive pathology library slides and gross organs from jars, and then described them completely with an eye to general principles rather than isolated facts. It was a clerkship in pathology. Residents were to be independent investigators with descriptions and diagnoses presented weekly to the entire pathology staff. The case was discussed, and a summary was dictated by Forbus. For thirty years, weekly clinicopathological conferences were held, Thursday evenings, for the House Staff, always with full attendance. Some material has been separated and placed in the Restricted Series because it contained protected student information. Materials date from 1930 to 1962.

Series contains correspondence, notes, reports, and grant information. Forbus was convinced that Hodgkin's disease, because of its granulomatous component, was a reaction to injury by an infectious agent. He conducted research in the 1930s and 1940s by soliciting case-based data from other medical institutions; a method well documented in the correspondence of this series. A subject matter expert, he presented multiple lectures on the topic text of which are found in the Manuscripts, Addresses, Speeches, Lectures series in this collection. Forbus' interest in the subject continued through his professional life. Hodgkin's disease and brucella references can be found throughout the collection. Materials date from 1931 to 1957.

Series is organized by conference date. The bulk of the conferences and panel discussions were hosted by Duke School of Medicine. Materials include, but are not limited to, programs, transcripts, and schedules. This series differs from the Organizations series, which also includes conferences, in that that series is almost exclusively national and regional entities. Materials date from 1931 to 1963.

Series is organized alphabetically by name with a corresponding autopsy number when present. Records include correspondence, reports, notes, reprints, photos, x-ray films, and notes among other items. The medico-legal work done in the Duke Pathology department was in collaboration with Duke's law school. These records contain evidence of Wiley D. Forbus' private medico-legal pathological work. A quote from a February 24, 1953 letter from W. D. Forbus regarding case #6969, "services I have rendered in this case are a strictly personal nature...do not involve in any way whatsoever...Duke Hospital..." this does not seem to be the norm within the series. Forbus' experiences in medico-legal work likely influenced his lobbying to change the North Carolina Coroner's system. The records relating to that legislation are found in the Organizations and Committees Series. Surgical pathological cases were relegated to the Restricted Series when necessary under HIPAA guidelines. Graphic images and content are noted on folder tabs when possible. Materials date from 1931 to 1967.