Document 0qmkG5vM81MRemBV4QgN8Q4Db

February 28, 1935 Doctor Karl 15. bowman, I os too Psychopathic Hospital, 7l+ Fonwood Road, Tos ton. Mass. Dear Doctor bowmans - I appreciate your courtesy in sending me the material which you are to publish. I have made a few unimportant changes in what I wrote you, either for the sake of brevity or increased accuracy, and I return the manuscript herewith. I have taken the liberty of making a slight correc. fcion of Doctor Aub*3 discussion, in that, having quoted me, he has produced not quite the impression that my article on the subject justifies, quite without any misapprehension of the facts on his part, I dare say. The somewhat greater liberty I have taken in making some suggestions with regard to Doctor Hamilton^ discussion can hardly be expected to go without comment and without discussion with her. I am writing to her, therefore, in order to more fittingly makethe sugges tions for the changes which X have indicated. Her facts a re a little wrong in a f ew instances and her interpretation of the r elationship of this c nge to the public health problem of leaded gasoline is in error, and perhaps my detailed knowledge of the history and the development of this whole matter entitle me to make suggestions, which in relation to most subjects would be presumptlous. It seems only proper that I should point out to you the nature and the reasons for my criticisms of her disou3sion. I shall take them in the order of their appearance in the article. (1) The poisonings referred to in the ''Standard Oil Works" were not concerned with the blending of lead with gasoline, and it is not proper to enter into this error for the reason that there has never been a case of poisoning in connection with these mixing operations. I know this is true for I have the records (and also the clinical responsibility) for all the persons who have ever carried oufc this work. The cases In question originated In an experimental manufacturing plant for tetraethyl lead, in which a new process was being developed. (Perhaps it is vanity on my part, but X wish to say that neither I nor my asso ciates had anj- part in the hygienic problem at this plant.) K 0020107 -2- (2) The ''evidence, of lead absorption" --consisted of a difference in the fecal lead excretion of a test group of garage mechanics - a difference so slight as to have a doubtful significance at that tine (I925) and one which, at present, in view of what we know about lend ingestion with food, and its variability, and particularly In view of the subsequent investigations which show a ?Jide variability . among roups of workmen with respect to fecal lead excretion, nu3t be Interpreted as chance variation. (3) The British Commission did not accept the findings of the American Public Health Service, nor did they accept our more recent and more detailed studios, but they critically examined them and checked the findings at several crucial points, arriving at their own conclusions after satis fying themselves that the facts were correct. (4) The further investigation of this problem has not been confine^ to the examination of eases of reported injury, but it has gone on with an increasingly elaborate scale, and by means of continuously improving methods. Bvery phase of the industry lias been under searching investi gation. (5) This- sentence? gives the misleading impression in print, - not intended by Doctor Hamilton I believe, - that the case of Mr. V/hl't^p, is definitely and immediately related to the hazards associated with the general problem of leaded gasoline, and that the whole question is reopened by it, whereas the problems of the filling station attendant, And the garage mechanic, and the public in genoral, have ilttlerelation to it. No one can disagree With Doctor Hamilton that there is need for vigilance, tut it would be unfortunate if the impression were produced by a ''therefore" that the. careful work which has been done on this question has been all for naught. Perhaps you will think I am somewhat academic In ny point of view on this discussion, and perhaps I am. On the other hand, it may be a virtue - though like many others, somewhat unpleasant at times - to feel a curiously personal reaction against the Introduction of inaccuracies into the written record of a field or an issue with which one is intimately acquainted. At any rate, my one ap&logy. is for the volume of this letter. Cordially.yours, ,x Kfc 0020208 Robert A,. Kehoe