New York Academy of Medicine Library

San Diego is the site of the West Coast's biggest pop culture event, Comic Con International. This year it takes place from Thursday, July 25th until Sunday, July 28th.

Comic books have always faced a bit of a battle. As they gained popularity, criticism was leveraged against them. Was it literature? Could it be rotting the brains of impressionable children? ...To be fair, some of this talk still exists today.

DC Comics listened. They decided to call upon their best-selling hero, Superman, to help fight back. Superman would not only battle foes, he would be the leader of a book club. DC set up an advisory board of their own "superfriends," those involved in helping youth thrive.

This pledge from their "Children and Comic Magazines" pamphlet lays out their goals. Superheroes are the heroes of the modern myth. They understand the power they have when publishing these stories. DC promises not to take your trust for granted.

Take care of yourself today. While that should always be a priority, it matters, especially today; it is International Self-Care Day!

Founded by the International Self-Care Foundation in 2011, it is a reminder to take stock of your health. There's a reason why this specific day was chosen. 24/7 (7/24, or July 24th) reminds us that any time is the right time for self-care.

The term "self-care," as we talked about on National Self-Care Day in April, became popular in the 1950s. Doctors prescribed self-care treatments for those under dire stress. It isn't something you should need a prescription for!

Authors and activists, including Audre Lorde, helped to integrate wellness techniques as part of daily self-care. It was considered "radical" at the time. Now, self-care is a million-dollar industry!

This "Yes!" guide understood the contemporary [c. 1978] "disillusionment" with how our bodies had been treated. Popenoe, the manager of the former, physical Yes! bookstore in Washington, D.C., put together this guide to help the curious. The intent was to make the concept of wellness as easy to understand as possible. It was to be understood that "wellness" was the goal, not only "the relief of symptoms." Taking care of yourself was (and is) only part of a larger course of action.

Whatever self-care or wellness looks like to you, remember to practice it often. Who knows? Maybe you'll inspire others to take better care of themselves!

Researchers and scholars interested in the history of medicine-- there is a month left to apply for one of our two annual fellowships!

The New York Academy of Medicine Library offers two research fellowships to support the advancement of scholarly research in the history of medicine and public health. Fellowship recipients are in-house scholars who conduct research using the Library's collections and resources. Applications from researchers whose projects engage with the history of health equity are encouraged.

The Audrey and William H. Helfand Fellowship in the History of Medicine and Public Health supports research using Academy library resources for scholarly study of the history of medicine and public health. It is intended specifically for a scholar in residence at the Academy Library. While all proposals will be thoroughly considered, preference will be given to applications that include an emphasis on the use of visual materials held in the Academy collections and in other area institutions.

The Paul Klemperer Fellowship in the History of Medicine supports research using the Academy Library's resources for scholarly study of the history of medicine. It is intended specifically for a scholar in residence at the Academy Library.

For more information, check out this link: https://www.nyam.org/fellows-grants/grants-awards/library-fellowships/

Feel free to share!

Saturday marks 55 years since the United States first landed on the moon. Neil Armstrong upon setting his foot down on the surface remarked "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." To commemorate the occasion, July 20th, 1984 was declared the first-ever Space Exploration Day. Also known as Moon Day.

Exploring space comes with its own set of precautions. What happens if one of the astronauts were sick in space? What happens if one of them gets injured? We might not be thinking about this as we dream of space. Thankfully scientists are prepared.

Dr. Frederick Robbins penned the forward to this second edition of "Space Physiology and Medicine" from 1989. Robbins writes that the idea of space has "sparked new and exciting discoveries in a spectrum of medical disciplines." With the new millennium fast approaching, "complementary efforts" are underway to bring even more humans to the "new frontier."

The book gives insight into the tests that were being run in space exploration facilities. This was an update to a 1982 edition. Technology had gone through "significant" upgrades in that period and this upgrade was vital. International space visits also helped shape this new edition.

Yesterday we celebrated America's favorite food. Today, let's look at something with a reputation of being a little more... refined. Let's dish on caviar. It is National Caviar Day, after all.

There are some misconceptions out there about caviar. Luckily, this 1925 pamphlet is here to help. Authored by Lewis Radcliffe, who at the time was deputy commissioner from the U.S. Bureau of Fisheries, he explains how to identify, prepare, and where the food comes from.

Sometimes "fish eggs" are used as a blanket term for caviar. This isn't exactly true! Caviar refers to fish eggs, or roe, from a specific species of fish. This would be Acipenseridae, the sturgeon. Radcliffe notes that if another species had been substituted, their name would have to be clearly labeled as such (ie "whitefish caviar").

Due to overfishing, Radcliffe notes the sturgeon population had been rapidly decreasing. Perhaps, this is why other species were marketing as caviar. The delicacy needed trained hands to be properly made, not "ignorance" for just making a profit. Part of the reason for the pamphlet was to educate fishermen on this.

Sturgeons continue to be one of the most endangered species on Earth because of the product's reputation. If you are indulging in caviar, be sure to make sure it is coming from a reputable source. This doesn't mean it has to be expensive. Providers with a quality product utilize ways, such as fish farming, to ensure the wild population of the fish is never harmed.

Hot dog, it's National Hot Dog Day! The third Wednesday in July celebrates this American summer staple.

Despite the connection to America, the hot dog has it's origins in Germany. Frankfurt, Germany to be exact. Frankfurter Würstchen was a dish given to those of utmost importance. It was a sausage consisting of pork and beef. This then trickled down to the surrounding countries.

It was brought to America by immigrants. Somewhere along the way, the bun was added. The food began to be sold on the streets, at the World's Fair, and on the boardwalks. It became a hit at baseball games too.

Modern-day hot dogs come in all kinds of forms. New Yorkers favor mustard and sauerkraut. Carmy and the rest of The Bear staff wouldn't hear of that; they favor the Chicago-style dog with peppers, onions, and relish. A little kid just wants it cut up into little bite-sized disks. The hot dog really lives the American dream.

Let us now ponder the question.... is a hot dog really a sandwich? At least we can agree that a hot dog, potato chips, and coleslaw for $3.50 is a bargain!

On some Mondays, we wish we could say "nay" to waking up early. But at least on this particular Monday, we get to say "neigh!" as we join in on the Celebration of Horses!

Every year on July 15th, horse lovers, horse caretakers, and horse aficionados can join in to show love to the animal. Horses represent strength, power, and freedom. They also offer companionship! Because of their talents, horses have taken on several jobs. You can see patrol horses out here in New York City. Some horses are service animals, providing a unique form of therapy.

Horses have been alongside (early) humans since approximately 10,000 BC. They were believed to have been domesticated sometime around 3,500 BC. If a dog is a man's best friend, a horse has got to be up there on the friend chain after all these years.

The horse was, and still is, one of the crucial animals in our farm production. They provide transportation across the country. If something's too heavy, they provide the power to pull a wagon across. A farmer may use the horse as a visual aid to wrangle up the other animals.

A horse's importance to American agriculture is shown through our collection of veterinary material. There are a number of books that focus solely on the care, body, and physiology of the horse. These include Hadley's "The Horse in Health and Disease," Goubaux's "Exterior of the Horse," and, adorned with a horse on the cover, "Anatomy of a Horse" by M'Fayden.

It's a perfectly chilled dessert for this hot weather. To be fair though, it's always the perfect time for this dessert. Today is National Eat Your Jell-O Day!

Gelatin had been a common ingredient in food since the 15th century. Because of the laborious way it was produced, it was a more luxury item. In the mid-1800s, powdered gelatin made it easier to make and acquire. New York residents Pearle and May Wait added fruit flavoring to this powder giving us the first Jell-O flavors in 1897.

The tagline "The World's Most Famous Dessert" was used to sell it, even when it wasn't true in the early 1900s. A dedicated workforce helped spread the word over the next few decades. This included a singable jingle, "J-E-L-L-O," over the radio. Why not look for it in your grocery store?

We tend to think of Jell-o as a dessert. This isn't always true. Not only were celery and mixed tomato two of their flavors, but the fruit flavors could be used as ingredients. Did you know the lemon-flavored Jell-O was key for a particular Tart Tomato Salad?

General Foods Corporation, the previous owner of the Jell-O brand, put out this recipe book in 1931. If you were looking for ways to add some new flavor (and texture) to your dishes, they've got you covered. These "Thrifty Jell-O Recipes to Brighten Your Menus" promises that you will never again say you needed something "different" to serve.

It's National Swimming Pool Day! Be sure to watch out for loose cannonball divers.

With the weather being what it has been here in New York City, we don't think anyone would mind if you celebrated this one a little bit early. Maybe you'll want to keep the celebration alive far beyond today. It's a great way to fight the heat off.

Our species flocking to bodies of water to keep cool more than likely predates any kind of written history. In this regard, the Ancient Greeks were the first to dedicate spaces to public aquatic recreation. It was, and continues to be, not only a great way to keep cool but provides a space for socialization and to keep fit. You don't have to be Michael Phelps to get your exercise in at the pool!

In the years that followed World War II, suburbia became a haven. All the luxuries that you could need were now situated under your roof. That included personal swimming pools, usually just outside of that roof. Although using pools as recreational therapy dates back ages, the exercises were now available to be done on your own time. You didn't have to wait until it was adult swim!

Bolton and Goodwin put together this 1956 pamphlet of exercises that could be done safely in swimming pools. They worked with physiotherapists to be sure that they were providing accurate information. Inside are tips and diagrams showing you how to get the most out of your pool exercises.

New York City is in the middle of a heat wave. Our friends at Central Park reported Monday as the hottest day of the year so far. The city wants to help you to beat this heat.

For our fellow New Yorkers to keep cool, New York City keeps places open as cooling centers. These are buildings all over the boroughs where people can cool off. They are completely free! The locations can be found directly at https://finder.nyc.gov/coolingcenters/ or by dialing 311.

Heat exhaustion can be a serious side effect of this extreme heat. If you find yourself (or a loved one) feeling symptoms that may include heavy sweating, headache, nausea, loss of appetite, and/or feeling light-headed, take action. Drink plenty of water, go to a cooler temperature, and reduce exposure to the direct sun. If symptoms seem more severe, dial 911.

The best way to stay up to date is to follow New York City Emergency Management on social media. They can be found on Facebook (NYC Emergency Management), Instagram (nycemergencymanagement) and X/Twitter (nycoem). NotifyNYC can be found online at NYC.gov/notifynyc or on X/Twitter at NotifyNYC.

Attention researchers! Our annual Library Fellowships are still accepting applications!

The New York Academy of Medicine Library offers two research fellowships to support the advancement of scholarly research in the history of medicine and public health. Fellowship recipients are in-house scholars who conduct research using the Library's collections and resources. Applications from researchers whose projects engage with the history of health equity are encouraged.

The Audrey and William H. Helfand Fellowship in the History of Medicine and Public Health supports research using Academy library resources for scholarly study of the history of medicine and public health. It is intended specifically for a scholar in residence at the Academy Library. While all proposals will be thoroughly considered, preference will be given to applications that include an emphasis on the use of visual materials held in the Academy collections and in other area institutions.

The Paul Klemperer Fellowship in the History of Medicine supports research using the Academy Library's resources for scholarly study of the history of medicine. It is intended specifically for a scholar in residence at the Academy Library.

For more information, please follow this link: https://www.nyam.org/fellows-grants/grants-awards/library-fellowships/

Saturday! In the park! It may not be the fourth of July anymore but the first Saturday of July celebrates our parks. National Hop-A-Park Day wants you to seek out the parks in your area and have some fun.

You can do anything in the park! Want to see some friends? Have a picnic! Want to get some exercise? Go for a walk! Want to be alone? Find some shade and read a book! Breathing in that fresh air can clean your lungs and even boost your mood.

In New York City we are lucky to have some of the most incredible parks in the country. And we aren't just saying that because Central Park is at our front door. If you are visiting NYC for the long holiday weekend, or even later in the summer, be sure to make plans to go visit.

Wherever you are, we hope that this weekend you find time to make your way to a park or two. You never know who you'll meet! Take for example, this trade card for Sapanule. It may be "officially" advertising a dubious cure however, your eyes may be more drawn to the meet-cute going on in the park. Side-effects of going to the park may include falling in love, seeing a cute puppy, and/or soaking up some Vitamin D.

We're sure you've noticed but it's getting hotter. If the first few weeks of summer are any indication, it's going to be a hot one. New York City provides information for what to do during these waves of extreme heat.

The best way to stay up to date is to follow their social media channels. New York City Emergency Management can be found on Facebook (NYC Emergency Management), Instagram (nycemergencymanagement) and X/Twitter (nycoem). NotifyNYC can be found online at NYC.gov/notifynyc or on X/Twitter at NotifyNYC.

New York City keeps places open as cooling centers throughout the summer. These can be found at https://finder.nyc.gov/coolingcenters/ or by dialing 311. That tip should be useful to our family, friends, and neighbors who may not be as tech savvy.

New Yorkers may have an outside reputation for being unfriendly. True New Yorkers know that's far from the truth. Check in on your neighbors who might need a little help! You never know who might need the information until you share it.

All of us here at the NYAM Library wish you a safe, healthy, and cool holiday!

Blueberry plants thrive in the summer. Those hot days and cool nights are the temperatures they need to grow and fruit. This is probably why July was chosen to host National Blueberry Month.

They're not only delicious, these berries are full of natural vitamins and antioxidants. A cup of blueberries will contain the most antioxidants of any natural fruit!

These berries are native to North America. They have been a fixture of diets for centuries. And of course, their color makes them a perfect choice for your table this Thursday.

If you're not feeling that, National Blueberry Day is July 8th. This gives you time to get the ingredients together.

Courtesy of the National Biscuit Company (Nabisco), the recipe comes from a 1933 Summer edition of their "Tablegrams" newsletter. According to the author, "Nancy Best," the taste will drive a man to "ecstasies!"

The first day of July means it’s the first day of Disability Pride Month! Every year we celebrate Disability Pride Month in July to commemorate the American with Disabilities Act, which was signed into law on July 26, 1990. Disability pride month embraces and celebrates the diversity of everyone in the disability community.

Disability is part of the human experience; most people will experience some kind of temporary or permanent disability during their life. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 1 in 6 people experience a significant disability – that’s 16% of the world’s population, a total of 1.3 billion people.

Since Disability Pride Month is in the summer, you may want to celebrate by taking part in traditional summer activities like visiting the beach or swimming. One of our health pamphlets, "Water Sports for the Disabled," provides ways to make water sports more accessible. The guide has a variety of sports to choose from and assures readers that “two arms and two legs are not essential” for swimming!

history

We are once again coming up on the first Monday of the month. That means it is "First Monday" over at NYAM! First Monday is a monthly event where we invite visitors inside to explore our library collection.

Books of astronomy and astrology both have a place in the Library’s collections. For July’s First Monday, we will take a look at a few of them for an introduction to how early physicians connected the signs of the zodiac to medical practice as well as an introduction to emerging scientific understandings of our solar system and the universe.

No reservation is required to join and it is a free event. If interested, please meet in the NYAM lobby at 1216 Fifth Ave promptly at noon on this Monday, July 1st.

We hope to see you there!

For the students of New York City, today is the last day of school! It's officially summer. How are you going to spend it?

To celebrate the occasion we offer this dedication from the White House Conference on Child Health and Protection: "Dedicated to the children of America, whose faces are turned toward the light of a new day and who must be prepared to meet a great adventure." You all deserve a break!

Not everyone feels that way. Put out in 1933, this document questioned the current state of the annual dismissal from school. It presented the "problem" of summer vacation in the current "social situation." The authors of this felt that summer vacation was a relic of the past. A fraction of the child's life is now being "slighted" by this break. They decided to offer up some solutions to that...

It sounds similar to what we now call the "Summer Slide." A great remedy for that is to maybe check in on your local public library. Summer reading programs are well under way!

As we said yesterday, this week is about insects. Coming off the heels of National Pollinator Week, we wanted to talk about a specific insect. In case you didn't know, pollinators are any species that help get the stamen to stigma allowing plants to be fertilized. This gives us food, flowers, and new plant life. There's a whole song in Grease 2 about it!

One of the bigger pollinators is, of course, the bees! Every species of bee is a pollinator. The different kinds of bees may help different kinds of plants. For example, a bee that tends to shake as part of its flight pattern may inadvertently be helping to pollinate with that shake.

We must protect these insects. It is believed that 1 in 4 species of bees are at risk for extinction. Bee habitats are being destroyed because of climate change, human made pesticides, habitat destruction, and disease. Their death would devastating for our environment.

From The Bee Book, a (circa) 1922 French book all about the insect by Edmond Alphandéry. (Roughly) translated, this image says "Have bees, you will have beautiful fruit!"

This week is all about creatures buzzing through the air. Each year the last two full weeks of June are dedicated to Pollinator Week followed by National Insect Week, two crucial parts of our ecosystem. We will be buzzing with information on a particular insect later in the week. Today we're going a little... fantastical.

Legends of fairies have been around as long as we have been telling stories. From the Greek nymphs to kindred creatures in the oral and written history of other civilizations, their tales have transcended generations. Their stories began as malevolent or just slightly mischievous. They've evolved to even becoming heroes!

We are taking a look at more tales from Eleanor Glendower Griffith today. Griffith told of the story of Cho-Cho, an elf who becomes friends with the fairy named "Health." In her origin, "The House the Children Built," the fairy learns she will be able to defeat the evil "witches" of the world and defend the youngest human by teaching children how to adapt healthy habits. When we treat ourselves well, we help others. That seems like a nice lesson to think about on a Monday!

Have you noticed any new, furry coworkers in today? Is there more barking than normal around the water cooler? If so, just remember that today is National Take Your Dog to Work Day. That may be why!

While it sounds a bit silly, this day has been around since 1999! It is celebrated the Friday immediately following Father's Day.

The day isn't meant to be distracting. It's meant to encourage more socialization amongst coworkers. It also could prompt someone to decide to adopt a dog.

Adopting a dog doesn't just benefit them. Studies show that having a pet boosts the owner's well-being. It may also lead to a longer life!

This trade card for Take Hood's Sarsaparilla kind of looks like "Take Your Human to Work Day!"

Tonight's the night! The 46th annual Museum Mile Festival is being held today, Tuesday, June 18th, from 6-9pm. The kick-off at Cooper Hewitt (on East 91st Street) starts around 5:45pm.

As you walk along the "mile" of this completely free event, there will be performances, crafts, and giveaways. Some of the museums will even be open late!

Come visit us between 102nd and 103rd! You'll be able to learn about some items in our collection, color images, and even take a picture with our skeleton.

We hope to see you there!

You may have heard parents, guardians, teachers, and other authority figures say it. Now we are saying it... eat your vegetables! Especially today. It is National Eat Your Vegetables Day.

June is National Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Month. This is not to be confused with National Fruits and Vegetables Month which falls in September. See? Eating your fruits and veggies is so crucial that we have at least two whole months devoted to them. If they don't already have a room on your plate, start by slowly incorporating them into what you regularly make. If you don't like the taste of one, try another! With over 1,000 different kinds, you're sure to find a few you like.

Author Eleanor Glendower Griffith wrote books for children regarding healthy habits. She introduced kids to an elf named "Cho-Cho" who was befriended by a fairy named "Health." In one of these adventures, Cho-Cho and Health must protect the Vegetable men from an evil witch. This was later adapted into a short play by the author. We're not sure if this was ever nominated for a Tony Award but it is cute. On the cover you can see the vegetables dancing in the moonlight. The second image shows our hero, Cho-Cho, conversing with a dog.

If you know a picky eater (or you happen to be one yourself), maybe you can rely on the power of Cho-Cho and his vegetable friends to persuade them.