Document KJ5M8VMMw8NOBLMgjvVg5pb7r

C L IN T O N H . C R A N E . PRESIDENT F . H , B R O W N E L L . VICE PR ESIDENT F. W . R O C K W E L L , VICE PR E SID EN T F E L IX E D G A R W O R M S E R . SECRETARY AND TREASURER O- 4 2 0 LEXINGTON AVENUE >JIOW Y O R K , X .Y . m March 9, 1940 Mr. Robert A. Kehoe College of Medicine University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, Ohio Dear Dr. Kehoe: I wonder if you have had an opportunity to read an article whic a appeared, in the January 20, 1340 issue of the "Journal of tne American Medical Associa tion" entitled, "i`oy Dishes and Plumbism" by Rathmell and Smith, wnich appears on page 242. I have had to read it because this was the basis of some nationwide publicity under the pen of Dr. Dafoe, in his syndicated medical colunnand also over the air under the auspices of the American Medical Association's radio service. Frannly, the article does not impress rue as a careful bit of scientific observation. If' the con clusions reached by Messrs. Rathmell and Smith are cor rect, then it seems to me that every child in the United States should have acute lead plnmbisxa every day because I am quite confident thaw the amount of lead that is found in every-day food, whether or not it is in obvious contact with lead, is more than the 0.0113 mg. of lead in the 20 cc. of orange juice which is alleged to have been responsible for the attack of acute plumbism of the 22 months old child. How such a minute amount of lead could cause an 'acute attack of plumbism, which passed away so quickly, is beyond my comprehension. I am also puzzled with tne fact that even if the child squeezed the orange juice in a lead-bearing toy, the chances are that the orange juice did not stay in the container very long and was consumed quite rapid ly before the orange juice had an opportunity to dissolve in lead. I am also puzzled by the prompt manner in which the illness of the child was diagnosed as acute plumbism based on the symptoms described. It strikes me as these symptoms might very readily be caused by infected food or some other cause. March 9, 1940 As you knoiv, we are opposed to the use of lead in children's toys. From what r have learned as a layman studying the subject of lead poisoning many years and benefitting from your own invaluable studies and that of other compe tent workers in the field whose careful investigations and conclusions r respect, it does seem to me that this item makes out a very poor case. I am anxious' to have your own comments for I may be 'wrong in my judgment. hith kindest regards, Sinanely yours, ^ ) Ql _ Secretary. KET 0014685