Document K1Zy21JDBna8JQ9yvEjx0Z6Q

DIRECTOR OF LABORATORIES: OE PAUL HOSPITAL LUTHERAN HOSPITAL ST. JOSEPH'S HOSPITAL. ALTON, ILL. W A LTE R J. SIEB ER T, M. D. PATH OLOGI ST 2418 N. KINGSH1GHWAY BLVD. ST. LOUIS, MO. December 22, 1942 Robert A. Kehoe, M.D. Kettering Laboratory of Applied Physiology University of Cincinnati Cincinnati , Ohio Dear Dr. Kehoe: Please find enclosed a letter written to me by the trial attorney for the 'iTestern Cartridge Company of Alton, Illinois. This letter will explain to you the essence of the problem with which we are confronted in connection with de fending a number of apparently fraudulent claims of lead poisoning which have been filed against this company during the past year. So .far we have been successful in defending these claims by showing the courts that there was no clinical evidence of lead intoxication. The plaintiffs claims have in every ease been based upon the finding of large quantities of lead in the feces, blood and urine, rather than upon clinical evidence. Furthermore, the only laboratory in the St. Louis district in which lead determinations are made on biological material is one upon which complete reliance oannot be placed. I therefore advised Mr. Baetz that his defense could be greatly strengthened if your laboratory would perform these lead tests. We have many reasons for dis crediting the lead claims which have been filed against the Western Cartridge ,/ Company, one of the chief ones being that none of these claimants have been employed in a department where lead is present except as an impurity in brass. Furthermore, we are fearful that if any of these claims are won, based only on finding abnormal quantities of lead in the blood and urine,, there may be an epidemio of such claims. At present we have won the right to have these claimants in our hospital for an observation period of 3 daysr away from contact with other physicians, before the blood, urine and feces samples are obtained. This was done beoause in a recent case the most plausible explanation for a large quantity of lead in the stool (10 mg.plus per 100 gram3 of dried feces) was that it was due to the claimant having taken by mouth a large amount of lead shortly before entry into the hospital. The urine report in this case was .0141 mg. %. The blood determination was not reported. The man had not been employed for over six months and showed no symptoms the least bit suggestive of lead poisoning. This case, as in the others, has shown a marked discrepancy between the large amounts of lead in the feces .(and sometimes in the urine) and the com plete absence of clinical evidence of lead intoxication. In my opinion this is due either to faulty technique in the performance of tests or tampering with the patient or the samples. The performance of the tests by a reliable labora tory at least will simplify our problems. 2 fully realise your many responsibilities and I know that you are not looking for added ones. However, we are in such desperate need for your ser vices ir. this matter that I don't know what we can do vrithout ycur help. N24676 DIRECTOR OF LABORATORIES: 06 PAUL HOSPITAL LUTHERAN HOSPITAL ST. JOSEPH'S HOSPITAL. ALTON, ILL. W A L T E R J. S1EBERT, M. D PATH OLOGI ST 2413 N. KJNGSH1GHWAY BLVD. 8T. LOUIS. MO. (Cont.) Robert A. Kehoe, M.D. Please advise me as soon as possible as to your decision. If-you decide to cooperate with us, please send me some lead-free containers for blood and urine (and feoes if you think it necessary). There is at present a case which we are to study before January 1. I sincerely hope that you will assist us in this and future cases. ,St. Joseph's Hospital Alton, Illinois P.S. Mr. Baetz inibrms me that the matter is of such importance to the Western Cartridge Company that expenses are of miner importance. " /)