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The Cartoon Medicine Show:
Rare NLM Medical Cartoons at the National Academy of Sciences

A selection of rarely screened historic medical cartoons from the National Library of Medicine will be shown at the National Academy of Sciences on the evenings of October 25 and 26, 2006 from 6 pm to 8 pm.

From the silent film era to the present, physicians, health professionals, governmental agencies, like the U.S. Public Health Service, and voluntary associations, such as the American Cancer Society, have sought to use motion pictures to advance medical science, train doctors and nurses, and educate the public.

"The Cartoon Medicine Show: Rare Animated Cartoons from the Collection of the National Library of Medicine," curated by Michael Sappol of the National Library of Medicine, will feature a rich sampling of rarely screened animated medical cartoons from the 1920s to the 1960s. The films will be shown in a two night series at the National Academy of Sciences Auditorium, 2100 C St., NW, Washington, D.C.

The Cartoon Medicine Show will present a variety of medical themes and genres, including dental hygiene, physical fitness, physiology, mental health, malaria, cancer, asepsis, radiology, tuberculosis and sanitary food preparation. Each evening will consist of a different selection of 10 to 15 short animated medical cartoons by obscure and well known animators, including Walt Disney, Friz Freleng, Zack Schwartz, Walter Lantz, and Shamus Culhane.

Distinguished film historian Donald Crafton (Notre Dame University) and NIH medical historians Michael Sappol and David Cantor will provide commentary.

• EVENT: The Cartoon Medicine Show: Animated Cartoons from the Collection of the National Library of Medicine
• DATE: October 25 and 26, 2006
• TIME: Refreshments at 5 p.m.; Event from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• LOCATION: National Academy of Sciences Auditorium,
  2100 C St., N.W.,
  Washington, D.C.
• COST: Admission is free, but seating is limited.
• RSVP: arts@nas.edu or (202) 334-2436
  http://www7.nationalacademies.org/arts/Other_Events_Cartoon_Medicine_Details.html
• DIRECTIONS BY METRO: Go to Foggy Bottom (Blue/Orange lines).
  Upon exiting Metro, turn right, walk south on 23rd St. Go six or seven short blocks, cross Virginia Ave., pass the State Department. Turn left on C St. (which is closed to cars but open to foot traffic). NAS is the second building on the righthand side with green awning.
  
  Individuals with disabilities who require reasonable accommodation to participate in this event should contact Alana Quinn at arts@nas.edu or 202-334-2436.

Last reviewed: 11 March 2009
Last updated: 22 February 2008
First published: 16 October 2006
Metadata| Permanence level: Permanence Not Guaranteed