title: Brief communication: the Galler Collection: a little-known historic Swiss bone pathology reference series.
abstract: The aim of this article is to briefly present the Galler Collection, a little-known historic Swiss bone reference series of high value for paleopathological research. The Galler Collection consists of approximately 600 mostly dry-bone specimens of many major bone diseases dating from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Clinical information and autopsy reports are available for the majority of specimens. Rarely documented conditions represented in the collection include: severe forms of myositis ossificans progressiva, kyphoscoliosis, endemic cretinism, hypo- and hyperparathyroidism, and phosphorus-induced bone necrosis. At present, the Galler Collection is located at the National History Museum in Basel (Augustinergasse 2, 4001 Basel, Switzerland, Telephone: +41612665500, Fax: +41612665546).
authors.affiliation: Clinical Paleopathology Unit, Orthopedic University Clinic Balgrist and Institute for the History of Medicine, University of Zürich, CH-8008 Zürich, Switzerland. frank.ruhli@adelaide.edu.au
authors.forename: Frank J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Rühli
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hotz
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Böni
mesh_terms: D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000266:history*; D018732:Forensic Anthropology; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D009144:Museums / Q000266:history; D010336:Pathology / Q000266:history*; D013048:Specimen Handling; D013557:Switzerland