I am doing a research project on the Historic Medicines & Instruments of
the Oakland Museum of California, with the goal of archival storage and
preservation.  If you have such a collection at your institution, I would
appreciate a few minutes of your time responding to this survey.  You may
reply off-list to me at:  [log in to unmask]

Did you, or do you, have any medications, drugs or instruments in any
form in your collection, especially from the 19th century?

Are there reference materials available containing period terminology of
what was then the common name of substances, giving 20th century chemical
names?

Are there any standards for storage of medical collections?  What type of
containers are used?  Are the contents as historically significant as the
containers?

Are there guidelines/resources for visible signs in recognizing toxic
dangers to prioritize materials before doing chemical testing?

What criteria was used for retaining and/or disposing of medicines?  If
toxic medicines were disposed of, how was this done?

How were containers cleaned that were kept?  What if the contents were not
removable?  How were labels kept in tact during cleaning?  What was the
procedure for handling, cleaning, sterilizing containers?  Were employees
inoculated or otherwise protected against contaminates?

Thank you for any information you may be able to share!