The University of Chicago Library > The Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center > Finding Aids > Guide to the Illinois Society for Medical Research Records 1895-1975
© 2006 University of Chicago Library
| Title: | Illinois Society for Medical Research. Records |
|---|---|
| Dates: | 1895-1975 |
| Size: | 4.75 linear ft. (10 boxes) |
| Repository: |
Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center |
| Abstract: | The Illinois Society for Medical Research was organized in 1951 by doctors, biologists, and researchers to educate the public on the benefits of medical research, particularly on the necessity of animal experimentation. The Society Records contain correspondence, research manuscripts, manuscripts concerning legislative campaigns, printed matter, and newspaper clippings on issue of interest to the Society including vivisection and animal experimentation. The collection documents the Society's educational programs and lobbying efforts, as well as the day-to-day management of the Society. |
The collection is open for research.
When quoting material from this collection, the preferred citation is: Illinois Society for Medical Research. Records, [Box #, Folder #], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library
The Illinois Society for Medical Research was organized in 1951 by doctors, biologists, and researchers to educate the public on the benefits of medical research, particularly on the necessity of animal experimentation. The Society grew out of the earlier Illinois Society for the Protection of Medical Research which operated from 1928 to 1951.
The use of animals in medical research was introduced in Illinois by the Chicago medical schools at the start of the 20th century. In 1920, the Chicago Scientific Association was formed in co-operation with the Chicago Board of Health to ensure the proper distribution and humane treatment of impounded dogs that were used in teaching and research laboratories. Some public organizations, such as the Chicago Anti-Vivisection Society, subsequently attempted to prohibit the practice of animal experimentation. In response to such protests and to the prohibitive legislation they supported, the Illinois Society for the Protection of Medical Research was formed in 1928. A. J. Carlson was chairman, A. C. Ivy (also of the Chicago Scientific Association) was Secretary-Treasurer, Frank Billings was honorary president, and Jane Addams and Charles Gilkey were among its councilors.
The Society was instrumental in the defeat of the Illinois Courtney Bill (1929) which proposed outlawing animal experimentation of all types, as well as the Chicago Bederman Bill (1931) which would have prohibited experimentation on dogs. It also supported the passage of the Chicago Arvey Ordinance (1931) which required unclaimed dogs of the city pounds to be made available to research universities for experimental purposes. The actions of the Chicago anti-vivisection groups were a favorite subject of the press, particularly in the papers owned by William Randolph Hearst, including the Chicago Herald-Examiner. Perhaps the most prominent champion of the anti-vivisection cause was Irene Castle McLaughlin, the Chicago entertainer and socialite. Irene Castle McLaughlin's exploits in the Chicago and Illinois courts and legislatures made headlines daily and did much to make animal experimentation one of the most hotly contested issues of the 20s, 30s and early 40s. After the Second World War those opposing animal experimentation were fewer and less vocal, in part due to the efforts of the Illinois medical societies and the National Society for Medical Research, which had been formed in 1946. These groups actively publicized the many medical advances utilized in the war made possible by animal experimentation. In 1951 the Illinois Society for the Protection of Medical Research was re-organized as the Illinois Society for Medical Research. It has continued to educate the public about medical activities through its lecture series, high school essay contests, and many publications. A more detailed account of the Society's early history can be found in the ISMR Bulletin.
The Illinois Society for Medical Research Records contain correspondence, research manuscripts, manuscripts concerning legislative campaigns, printed matter, and newspaper clippings on issue of interest to the Society including vivisection and animal experimentation. The collection documents the Society's educational programs and lobbying efforts, as well as the day-to-day management of the Society.
The Records of the Illinois Society for Medical Research are divided into five series: Series I: Correspondence and Research Manuscripts Concerning Legislative Campaigns; Series II: Research Manuscripts; Series III: Manuscripts Concerning Legislative Campaigns; Series IV: Printed Matter ; and Series V: Newsclippings.
Series I: Correspondence and Research Manuscripts Concerning Legislative Campaigns |
| Box 1 Folder 1 | 1919 |
| Box 1 Folder 2 | 1920-1927 |
| Box 1 Folder 3 | 1928 |
| Box 1 Folder 4-6 | 1929 |
| Box 1 Folder 7 | 1930 |
| Box 1 Folder 8-12 | 1931 |
| Box 1 Folder 13-14 | 1932 |
| Box 2 Folder 1 | 1933 |
| Box 2 Folder 2-3 | 1934 |
| Box 2 Folder 4-8 | 1935 |
| Box 2 Folder 9 | 1936 |
| Box 2 Folder 10 | 1937 |
| Box 2 Folder 11 | 1938 |
| Box 3 Folder 1 | 1939 |
| Box 3 Folder 2-3 | 1940 |
| Box 3 Folder 4 | 1941-1945 |
| Box 3 Folder 5 | 1946-1948 |
| Box 3 Folder 6-8 | 1949 |
| Box 3 Folder 9 | 1950-1951 |
| Box 3 Folder 10 | 1952-1956 |
| Box 3 Folder 11 | 1957-1975 |
Series II: Research Materials |
| Box 3 Folder 12 | Abstracts-Animals
|
| Box 3 Folder 13 | Articles
|
| Box 3 Folder 14 | Proceedings of the Conference on Animal Experimentation
|
Series III: Manuscripts Concerning Legislative Campaigns |
| Box 4 Folder 1-3 | McLaughlin radio broadcasts and debates |
| Box 4 Folder 4 | Campaign materials, Arvey Ordinance |
| Box 4 Folder 5-7 | Campaign materials, proposed legislation |
| Box 4 Folder 8 | Resolutions |
| Box 4 Folder 9 | Court proceedings, legislation in cities other than Chicago |
| Box 4 Folder 10 | "The Humane Movement," script to radio broadcast |
| Box 4 Folder 11 | Statistics related to legislation |
| Box 4 Folder 12 | Miscellaneous manuscripts |
Series IV: Printed Matter |
| Box 4 Folder 13 | Advisory Committee on Allocation of Dogs |
| Box 4 Folder 14 | American
|
| Box 4 Folder 15 | American-Anti
|
| Box 4 Folder 16 | Camp, D. E., "Contributions of Small Animals to Human Welfare" Colliers |
| Box 4 Folder 17 | Conference-County
|
| Box 4 Folder 18-19 | Committee on Experimental Medicine |
| Box 5 Folder 1 | Cr-Du
|
| Box 5 Folder 2 | Edison Round Table |
| Box 5 Folder 3 | Fe-Fi
|
| Box 5 Folder 4 | Ga-Gr
|
| Box 5 Folder 5 | Ha-He
|
| Box 5 Folder 6 | He-Hu
|
| Box 5 Folder 7 | Hygeia |
| Box 5 Folder 8 | Hygeia, "War and the Anti-Vivisectionist Racket" |
| Box 5 Folder 9 | Il
|
| Box 5 Folder 10 | Il
|
| Box 5 | ISMR Bulletin, complete set (7/52-4/69) |
| Box 6 Folder 1 | Il-Jo
|
| Box 6 Folder 2 | K-L
|
| Box 6 Folder 3 | Me-Mo
|
| Box 6 Folder 4 | Ma
|
| Box 6 Folder 5 | Na
|
| Box 6 Folder 6 | NORC Poll |
| Box 6 Folder 7-8 | National Society for Medical Research |
| Box 6 Folder 9 | Nature Magazine |
| Box 6 Folder 10 | Me-No
|
| Box 6 Folder 11 | Ne
|
| Box 6 Folder 12 | Ne
|
| Box 6 Folder 13 | Ne-Pa
|
| Box 6 Folder 14 | Pa-Pe
|
| Box 6 Folder 15 | Pe-Ph
|
| Box 6 Folder 16 | Photographs, cartoons, illustrations |
| Box 7 Folder 1 | Po-Ps
|
| Box 7 Folder 2 | Pu
|
| Box 7 Folder 3 | Q
|
| Box 7 Folder 4 | Refutation of Anti-Vivisection propaganda |
| Box 7 Folder 5 | Re
|
| Box 7 Folder 6 | Ro
|
| Box 7 Folder 7 | Sample news releases |
| Box 7 Folder 8 | S
|
| Box 7 Folder 9 | Sa-Sc
|
| Box 7 Folder 10 | Sc
|
| Box 7 Folder 11 | Sc
|
| Box 7 Folder 12 | Sc-Su
|
| Box 7 Folder 13 | Si-Sm
|
| Box 7 Folder 14 | So-Su
|
| Box 7 Folder 15 | Th
|
| Box 7 Folder 16 | Time |
| Box 7 Folder 17 | To-Tr
|
| Box 7 Folder 18 | U
|
| Box 8 Folder 1 | U-V
|
| Box 8 Folder 2 | V
|
| Box 8 Folder 3 | Wi-Wo
|
| Box 8 Folder 4-9 | Dutch journals concerning vivisection, including De Tribune |
| Box 8 Folder 10 | Miscellaneous printed matter |
Series V: Newsclippings |
| Box 8 Folder 11-12 | 1895-1897 |
| Box 8 Folder 13 | 1898-1927 |
| Box 8 Folder 14 | 1928 |
| Box 8 Folder 15 | 1929 |
| Box 9 Folder 1 | 1930 |
| Box 9 Folder 2-5 | 1931 |
| Box 9 Folder 6 | 1932 |
| Box 9 Folder 7-9 | 1933 |
| Box 9 Folder 10-15 | 1934 |
| Box 10 Folder 1-4 | 1935 |
| Box 10 Folder 5 | 1936-1937 |
| Box 10 Folder 6 | 1938 |
| Box 10 Folder 7 | 1939-1941 |