Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-10-21
AN ARTIST OF WOUNDS AND DISEASES By Frederic j. FIaskn


of training operators and standardizing
methods The medical fraternity, in and out
of the government seem agreed that some
way must be found of enabling him to 10
this.
The value of these wax models in dag
nosing diseases was we'll illustrated by the
case of ivy poisoning with which this story
began. Experienced physicians were unable
to decide what was the cause of this painful
and seemingly incurable eruption. 1t was
being treated as eczema. DR.. Wallis, being
a specialist in skin diseases, recognized it
as ivy poisoning. He points out that if his
model had been at the disposal of the physi-
clans, together with a model Of typical
eczema rash, there would have been no diff
fcuIty in making the diagnosis.
Another case which occurred in the medi-
cal corps was that of a man who suffered
from lichenplanus. This is a skin disease
chronic and generally considered incurable,
which is so rare that the average practitioner
would not see it once N life time. DR.. Wal
lis made IL model of this case of Iichenplanus
for the museum. This model was seen by
girl who was suffering from the disease,
and she herself diagnosed her ailment and
came to DR.. Wallis for treatment
In this case, the YAK model enabled an
unframed person to recognize a disease
,nICn many a trained physician would have
oeen unable to identify from mere descrip-
ems and pictures.
The value Of these models in teaching med
cine, and to the practitioner i'm making
diagnoses, scarcely needs emphasis. But
good museums of such models are also of
much interest and value to the public. Peo-
pie may learn to recognize certain diseased
tates, and may be encouraged to avoid them.
-. Wallis has made q series of models show
ing the effects of syphilis which, as an argu-
meat for personal purity, could scarcely be
surpassed
TO The army, the great value of wax model
ling is for the preservation of records of
wounds. For example, a certain method of
eating gaping wounds has been worked out.
1t applies in certain cases and in others it
does not DR.. Wallis has made models show
ng what sort Of wounds can be healed bv
ms method and what sort cannot. But for
>hese models the appearance of such wounds
.ould probably have completely faded from
he memories of men before the next war.
These models of gaping shrapnel and bull
ct wounds are among the most horrible and
beautiful in the collection. Their colors are
IS fresh and bright as those of flowers. One
f the most gruesome of these exhibits is
he model of a large section of mans leg
5hich was amputated in Europe. Because it
illustrated some important scientific fact
MS piece Of leg was picked and shipped to
MS country in barrel, much like corned
29f. When it arrived it was put I'D in
preservatiVe solution. But specimens in such
solutions are never satisfactory, as they can
not be examined we'll, they change color and
dls1ntegrate, and the solution becomes cloudy
Accordingly, DR.. Wallis made a wax model of
this piece of mangled leg, just as it was
when it came out Of the brine and a sngu-
larly horrible looking affair it is He also
MADE model of cross section o. it, which
looks exactly like a raw beefsteak. some
what far gone.
But these records of wounds are of inter-
est chiefly to the army doctors. In addition
to them, all of the hundreds of skin dis
eases can be exactly represented in wax so
that almost anyone may diagnose them. All
of the eruptive diseases, such as chikenpox,
smallpox, measles, and scarlet fever can be
represented by wax models. It is remark
able how often even experienced practition-
ers are unable to diagnose these diseases
correctly. And there are many other dis
eases which may be recognized by conditions
of the skin. Hookworm and pellagra are
among them. There are probably no diseases
OF which wax models are more urgently need
ed. DR.. Blue states that field workers for
the public health service are often unable
to recognize these diseases when they see
them, although the appearance of the pa
TENTS skin is highly Characteristic
There is also said t. be large field for
the making of models of rare troLical dis
eases, Of which there are a number that are
almost unknown to medical science
DIR. Wallis has carried this art A. stem
farther than any Of his European prede-
ceSSors by making models of diseased in
lernal organs. When a diseased liver or kid
ney or spleen has been removed during an
autopsy, the doctor makes it's exact likeness
10 be guide to surgeons forever after