Publication InformationSmithsonian InstitutionWashington, D.C., March 29, 1881

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Dear Mr Marsh.

Dr S. Wier Mitchell, one of our most eminent physicians, & a special friend, is extremely interested in the biography of Sanctorius.# He has ordered every thing that he could find, in regard to him or his works. One book, however, has, so far entirely escaped his search; & I promised I would write & ask you if you could [do] any thing to secure it; or, if he cannot have it otherwise, he would like to borrow it, with every condition to bind him for its safe return.

Nothing especially new with us, although the National Museum is growing enormously in its various departments. The Smithsonian is all right. The Fish Commission is becoming a great power, the appropriations for it last year by Congress, amounting to nearly a quarter of a million of dollars. Part of this, however, or $103.000 was for a large ocean steamer for industrial & scientific research in the deep sea.

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Yours very truly.Spencer F BairdHon. George P. Marsh.U.S. Minister.Rome,Italy.

#"Life of Sanctorius, or Santorini, by Casseli & published in Venice, in 1750.."

References in this letter:

The neurologist Silas Wier Mitchell (1829-1914) developed the " rest cure" as a treatment for mental disorders. He was also a prolific novelist and poet.

Sanctorius Sanctorius (1561-1636) was an early Italian physiologist who introduced quantification and measurement into the study of physiology.

An International Fishery Exhibition was held in Berlin in April, 1880.