Document 6RV4xJqdxZ2aG3dJkn6NQzGBd

March 8, 1947 .Ur. E. Davison, The Associated Ethjl Company Limited AaUilJLXei^y^nnnr', Art114-rrjy LOtT, 7T^^uu2Za Landon-, ? * V --1, England. . tzLy Dear Dr. Davisons lour letter of November 28, 1946 has gone without reply Tor some time, and yet not through neglect on my part, nether there were a number of considerations, some of which I thought would be settled more definitely after the lapse of a little time, which I wanted to be a little more definite about before making reply. Then coo, by virtue of conversations going on between myself and Mr. Sevan, which only recently were brought to a head by his visit here, I felt that we could profit by having a little clearer understanding of the overall situation. The confusion of our previous arrangements, as brought about by the war; made it a little difficult for me to see just how we should proceed. Matters are a little clearer at present, and therefore I can write in a some what more definite manner. First with reference to medical consultants in different parts of the world, one recognises that the problem of providing adequate information is somewhat difficult. I attempted to cover this situation reasonably well by collecting together the pertinent information on the subject in a book, of which, I trust, you have a copy, entitled "Lead Studies." This is a volume bound in green, and if you do not have a copy, I must make it a point to find one for you and sent it to you. This volume was originally put together by gathering together reprints of published material. There were 122 or 125 copies, which were distributed to Englishspeaking consultants and to a few other people who require the information. They are now scattered all over the world, and no doubt some of them have been lost. I still have a few copies, which I gathered in from persons who needed them less urgently than others who had not been supplied. In order to take care of consultants who could neither speak or read English readily, selected items of this material were trans lated into Spanish and Italian and these were used in loose-leaf form for distribution to Mexican, Central American and South Ameri can consultants and to Italian-speaking physicians and health authorities. All of the available work from this Laboratory was translated into German and French. The German volume was printed in German and against my instructions was prepared as a bound volume for distribution by I. G. Farben and sold by the publisher. Approximately lOu volumes were to be made available to me, but the J*-; Dr. 2. Davison - (2] - March 3, 19kJ war intervened, and I have one copy. Others are available in Germany, but God knows where. The French material is in my hands in large volume. I have supplied Bevan with copies of all of these translations in the loose-leaf form and in $ suitable binders^ a3 I plannee them for distribution. Some of them have been sent out through the years to various consultants. The remainder d&u, available for such use as may be required. This material provides the background of information which should give any of our consultants the knowledge he should require, and therefore there is no reason-to suppose that these people should not be prepared to provide information and advice to others, if their capabilities are such that they can understand comparatively simple experimental and clinical evidence. Therefore,the problem is not as great as it would seem at first glance. As to the consultants themselves, ve have undertaken to obtain the services of the best men available in the various countries. In' the main ve have not done a bad job, for we have generally had men of outstanding capacity. Some of these men X have seen and talked with. Some of them X have corresponded with since our first inter views , and with many of the others an exchange of correspondence has indicated that they have some grasp of the situation. It is not fair to generalize, but if one wrere to do so, it could be said that local refinery doctors and practicing physicians have not taken the trouble to inform themselves, and have not had the professional and scientific interest necessai'y to study the available material. However, the men who have represented us on a nation-wide basis. In different parts of the world, have usually been fairly well Informed. As you may realize,we have undertaken in every important instance to consultL7epublic and industrial health authorities, and to provide them vittifairly comprehensive Information. This has assisted us in dealing with the medical and hygienic problem on a straightforward professional and scientific basis. I have not anticipated that every one of our consultants would be able to comply adequately with the instructions given in the medical memorandum. On the other* hand, X have not considered It amiss to hetrg high so as to have some men in each part of the earth who would have some intelligent point of view, and who because of their standing might be consulted by representatives of industry, public health officials, and medical colleagues. This, I think, is quite necessary, for the mere care of the men at mixing plants, while Important, is In ny opinion, only one phase or the jcb. I should feel, therefore, that as time would permit and as circumstances require, ve should be able to visit the various areas of distribu tion, consult vith the representatives of industry, and with the medical men involved in thi3 work, so that eventually ve shall have a competent, well-Inlonned group of professional men of the highest possible standing, to do the job that is required. I feel that ve KF 0010014 Dr. E* Davison - (3) - March 8, 19^7 vere on the verge of a reasonably adequate accomplishment of this purpose, vhen the war came and shattered our arrangements. Concerning your own activities in this field of work, I*should anticipate that you would take over as I leave off. I cannot devote the time to this that is required, and although we shall continue to keep in touch with the problem on the world-wide basis and will conduct experimental and field surveys as required, the day by day direction of the medical activities at this end will have to be discontinued. In accomplishing this general purpose, I .should feel that it would be well for us to confer in the not too distant future, to size up various aspects of the situation, and to use such present methods of setting up the routine activities as will be in keeping with present circumstances, facilities, and economic considerations. Any specific plans at this time would be premature, and therefore I shall not undertake any immediate modification of present working arrangements until ve have had an opportunity to meet and talk over the matter in detail. I am indeed glad that you have expressed a willingness to undertake this job, and I am looking forward to our association with interest and pleasure. Sincerely yours, RAK ef Original by Steamer. Copy by Air Mail. Robert A . iiehoe, M. D . HE 0010015