Joseph Erlanger (1874-1965) was born in San Francisco, studied at the University of California (B.S., 1895) and received his medical education at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore (M.D., 1899). He was an intern at the Johns Hopkins University Hospital under William Osler, 1899-1900. From 1900 to 1906, Erlanger was an assistant in physiology at Johns Hopkins under William H. Howell. He became professor of physiology at the University of Wisconsin Medical School in 1906. In 1910, he accepted an appointment as professor and head of physiology at Washington University in St. Louis. Erlanger retained this position until retirement in 1946, continuing in research at the university for several years afterward. In 1944, he and Herbert S. Gasser were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine "for discoveries relating to the highly differentiated functions of nerve fibres."
Erlanger's chief contributions to physiology can be divided into two distinct phases. Until 1921, he concentrated on problems relating to the cardiovascular system, developing an improved sphygmomanometer, and making important discoveries about the relation of blood pressure and the conduction of electrical impulses in the heart. The second phase of his research career began in collaboration with Gasser, a former student. The two adapted a cathode-ray oscillograph for the purpose of amplifying and recording electrical conduction, or action potentials, of the nervous system. Using this instrument, they analyzed and compared action potentials of different portions of the nervous system, determining that the speed of conduction is proportional to the diameter of the nerve fiber. Erlanger's later research built upon this key electrophysiological discovery, with studies of excitation and polarization of nerve fibers, among other investigations. Throughout his tenure at Washington University, Erlanger played an important role in the governance of the medical school through its Executive Faculty council. He also made important contributions to the American Physiological Society and other scientific organizations.
Published
This collection includes 37 certificates and artifacts documenting the professional and scientific achievements of Joseph Erlanger. Certificates and medallians include various honorary degree diplomas, award certificates and medallions, and scientific society membership certificates. The collection also includes various academic hoods, an academic gown, Erlanger, Gasser and Bishop's home-made cathode ray tube, and the death mask of Erlanger.
[---LOCATION---RECORD---]
Storage: BBML-Archives-Stacks;
Content: VC128 VC128001-041 (incomplete);
Range: 13;
Section: B;
Shelf: 1;
Extent: 0.50;
Extent Unit: Linear Feet;
[---LOCATION---RECORD---]
Storage: BBML-Archives-Stacks;
Content: VC128 VC128032-039 (Academic hoods);
Range: 13;
Section: D;
Shelf: 1;
Extent: 2.50;
Extent Unit: Linear Feet;
[---LOCATION---RECORD---]
Storage: BBML-Archives-Stacks;
Content: VC128 VC128042 (Academic gown);
Range: 13;
Section: G;
Shelf: 7;
Extent: 1.50;
Extent Unit: Linear Feet;
[---LOCATION---RECORD---]
Storage: BBML-Archives-Stacks;
Content: VC128 VC128009 (Cathode ray tube);
Range: 13;
Section: D;
Shelf: 6;
Extent: 3.00;
Extent Unit: Linear Feet;
[---LOCATION---RECORD---]
Storage: BBML-Archives-Stacks;
Content: VC128 VC128014-020, VC128026-027 (oversize);
Range: 13;
Section: G;
Shelf: 7;
Extent: 1.50;
Extent Unit: Linear Feet;
[---LOCATION---RECORD---]
Storage: BBML-Archives-Stacks;
Content: VC128 VC128043 (Death Mask);
Range: 12;
Section: G;
Shelf: 7;
Extent: 1.50;
Extent Unit: Linear Feet;
[---LOCATION---RECORD---]
Storage: BBML-Archives-MapCase;
Content: VC128 VC128021-025 (Drawer 5);
Range: ;
Section: ;
Shelf: ;
Extent: 0.00;
Extent Unit: Update Extent Unit;
© Copyright 2019 Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives. All rights reserved.
The collection is open and accessible for research.
Users of the collection should read and abide by the [Rights and Permissions](https://becker.wustl.edu/resources/arb/policies/rights-permissions) guidelines at the Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives.
Users of the collection who wish to cite items from this collection, in whole or in part, in any form of publication must request, sign, and return a Statement of Use form to the Archives.
For detailed information regarding use of this collection, contact the Archives and Rare Book Department of the Becker Library (arb@wusm.wustl.edu).
Preferred Citation:
_Item description_, Reference Code, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Published
The collection is open and accessible for research.
Preferred Citation:
_Item description_, Reference Code, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Published
The medal is housed in its original, velvet-lined box and is engraved with Erlanger's name and the date of the award on the back.
The collection is open and accessible for research.
Preferred Citation:
_Item description_, Reference Code, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Published
The medal is engraved with Erlanger's name and the date on the back.
The collection is open and accessible for research.
Preferred Citation:
_Item description_, Reference Code, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Published
The medal is housed in its original, velvet-lined box.
The collection is open and accessible for research.
Preferred Citation:
_Item description_, Reference Code, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Published
The congress was held in Boston, Massachusetts.
The collection is open and accessible for research.
Preferred Citation:
_Item description_, Reference Code, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Published
The congress was held in Rome, Italy.
The collection is open and accessible for research.
Preferred Citation:
_Item description_, Reference Code, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Published
Envelope includes a reprint of Erlanger's "A report of some observations of heart-block in mammals," and a typed note that reads: "Clamp devised by Dr. Erlanger which permitted him to apply reversibly controlled pressure to the auricular-ventricular bundle of a dog's beating heart, thus enabling him to reproduce experimentally all desired degrees of heartblook. See attached reprint. (Johns Hopkins Bulletin, 16:234, 1905)."
The collection is open and accessible for research.
Preferred Citation:
_Item description_, Reference Code, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Published
Erlanger and several other prominent researchers were recruited for the experiments by Vannevar Bush.
The collection is open and accessible for research.
Preferred Citation:
_Item description_, Reference Code, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Published
The collection is open and accessible for research.
Preferred Citation:
_Item description_, Reference Code, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Published
The sphygmomanometer (blood pressure meter) is contained in a wooden box.
The collection is open and accessible for research.
Preferred Citation:
_Item description_, Reference Code, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Published
The certificate is mounted in a bound enclosure.
The collection is open and accessible for research.
Preferred Citation:
_Item description_, Reference Code, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Published
The medal is engraved with Erlanger's name on the back.
The collection is open and accessible for research.
Preferred Citation:
_Item description_, Reference Code, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Published
The collection is open and accessible for research.
Preferred Citation:
_Item description_, Reference Code, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Published
The collection is open and accessible for research.
Preferred Citation:
_Item description_, Reference Code, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Published
The collection is open and accessible for research.
Preferred Citation:
_Item description_, Reference Code, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Published
The collection is open and accessible for research.
Preferred Citation:
_Item description_, Reference Code, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Published
The collection is open and accessible for research.
Preferred Citation:
_Item description_, Reference Code, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Published
The collection is open and accessible for research.
Preferred Citation:
_Item description_, Reference Code, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Published
The collection is open and accessible for research.
Preferred Citation:
_Item description_, Reference Code, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Published
The collection is open and accessible for research.
Preferred Citation:
_Item description_, Reference Code, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Published
The collection is open and accessible for research.
Preferred Citation:
_Item description_, Reference Code, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Published
The certificate is torn.
The collection is open and accessible for research.
Preferred Citation:
_Item description_, Reference Code, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Published
The collection is open and accessible for research.
Preferred Citation:
_Item description_, Reference Code, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Published
The collection is open and accessible for research.
Preferred Citation:
_Item description_, Reference Code, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Published
The collection is open and accessible for research.
Preferred Citation:
_Item description_, Reference Code, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Published
The collection is open and accessible for research.
Preferred Citation:
_Item description_, Reference Code, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Published
Folder includes the original velvet enclosure for the certificate.
The collection is open and accessible for research.
Preferred Citation:
_Item description_, Reference Code, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Published
The collection is open and accessible for research.
Preferred Citation:
_Item description_, Reference Code, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Published
The certificate is housed in its original cardboard enclsoure. The four men honored at the dinner were Joseph Erlanger, Eugene L. Opie, Philip A. Shaffer, and Robert J. Terry. Folder includes two newspaper clippings about the dinner.
The collection is open and accessible for research.
Preferred Citation:
_Item description_, Reference Code, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Published
Folder includes the schedule for the presentation ceremony, as well as a photocopy of a letter from the Erlanger collection that was once in a frame. The letter was to Erlanger from William H. Welch of Johns Hopkins University.
The collection is open and accessible for research.
Preferred Citation:
_Item description_, Reference Code, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Published
The collection is open and accessible for research.
Preferred Citation:
_Item description_, Reference Code, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Published
The collection is open and accessible for research.
Preferred Citation:
_Item description_, Reference Code, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Published
The collection is open and accessible for research.
Preferred Citation:
_Item description_, Reference Code, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Published
The collection is open and accessible for research.
Preferred Citation:
_Item description_, Reference Code, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Published
The collection is open and accessible for research.
Preferred Citation:
_Item description_, Reference Code, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Published
The collection is open and accessible for research.
Preferred Citation:
_Item description_, Reference Code, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Published
The collection is open and accessible for research.
Preferred Citation:
_Item description_, Reference Code, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Published
The collection is open and accessible for research.
Preferred Citation:
_Item description_, Reference Code, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Published
The letter congratulates the mayor on his election and thanks him for his note congratulating Erlanger on winning the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine.
The collection is open and accessible for research.
Preferred Citation:
_Item description_, Reference Code, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Published
The letter thanks them for their editorial on him after his Nobel Prize win, and corrects a small error they made in the editorial.
The collection is open and accessible for research.
Preferred Citation:
_Item description_, Reference Code, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Published
The collection is open and accessible for research.
Preferred Citation:
_Item description_, Reference Code, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Published
The mask is mounted on a board.
The collection is open and accessible for research.
Preferred Citation:
_Item description_, Reference Code, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Published
The patent date on the gauge is February 13, 1912.
The collection is open and accessible for research.
Preferred Citation:
_Item description_, Reference Code, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.