Document BR1JDqKY6mBzyOBd058Kr79yk

Dr. Robert A. Kehoe, M. D. The University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Cincinnati,' 19, Ohio 1st March, 1958 US VAHospital, 31dg. 77 Roanoke, Virginia Rear Doctor: Thank you for your more than kind letter a? yesterday's date. I can assure you there have been many times in the past when I lave bemoaned the inadequacies of the English language to properly express idea and intent. X ask your indulgence should there be anything in my letters to you which might cause the slightest mis-giving, dis-comfort, or any form of embarrassment. For many years I lived in London amongst seme of the world's finest doctors and surgeons, and know only too well that aiiy person, subject to the Oath of Hypocrates never hesitates to do what he feels best in the' interests of any person or patient in his care. It is a pleasure indeed to make the acquaintance of a person, as well advanced in his profession as you. Let's say there is a clash of ideas; perhaps Ido not agree with you, and perhaps I do; in any event, like the Physiocrats of preFrench Revolutionary days, I Will defend to the death your right to your opinion and your right to express, it. Had mankind been inclined towards uniformity of. ideas, there, would have been but little progress, and we would in all probability still be swinging by tails from the tree-tops rather than developing what most of us hope will be an adequate civilization. To allay any possible qualms, permit me to state that those of us who used petrols containing tetra-ethyl-lead knew that without it we would not have been able to cope at ail; we realized that there were times when it was necessary to use even greater quantities of lead additives than the manufacturers recommended, and that there was., a calculated risk for engines and personnel, all along the line through it's use. The. entire scheme of maintenance for aircraft and engines.of the Royal Air Force was based upon that calculated risk. There were times when the calculations were incorrect; the result was one of the fortunes of war, and those of us who suffered as a result have no more Cause for complaint than does any line infantryman who stepped into an enfilading fire from enemy weapons. It is in an effort to reduce the risk that I seek a method to positively identify lead-poison before it can reach a state prejudicial to the health of the individual, or his symptoms be mis-construed as something that prejudices not only the individual, but his family. Leave will be asked from the physicians of this hospital, and I will ask that they write you to make arrangements which.you suggest as the preferredalternative. Dr. Peterson 'will be asked to write you .briefly stating the results of our association. Permit me to thank you for your interest and kind offer, and to hope that the results will be mutually satisfactory. I have the honour to be, {y Wayne A. Decker .FRloiygahltALirieFuotercneant (Retired) 0013829