Document NezEgewYRYQXk7gkYpJdnpxaR

March. 27, 1935 Dr* Louis P* Bosnian African Life Buildings St. George*3 Street Capo Town Dear Dr* Bosnian: I have your letter of February 17th with regard to the "qualitative investigation of urine and faeces with a view bo lead". I am not quite certain that I know what you mean or what you wish* v?e in this laloratory have not worked with qualitative methods, hence X am unable to see how . the mere detection of lead in biological material would be useful* lb has been demonstrafced adequately that minute amounts of lead are to be found in practically all types of biological ma terials* The evidence which we have obtained on this subject has, been published in large measure In the Journal of Industrial Hygiene. - Volume 16 - March 1933* The precise quantities found, therefore, under a variety of conditions become essential for any type of interpre tation. If you are merely Interested Irr the most sensitive means of detecting lead, I think it Is quite certain that spectrogranhic methods are the most effective. It is possible to detect the presence of lead in a few drops of blood or urine,pr spinal fluid, or tissues merely by introducing the material in question into the crater of a carbon electrode and after drying it, using the sample in the electrode in the electric arc. The presence of lead in a few parts per billion of material can be demonstrated in this way*. Oh the other hand, if you are thinking of the application of qualitative tests to clinical material, I can only express my complete skepticism as to the consequences of any results which may be obtained* Perhaps I as mis-interpreting your inquiry, and your grounds for interest in the subject* However if you will writs m and tell me what you wish to know, 1 shall do ray best to give you an answer. Very truly yours. RAKslS Ifobert A. ke'hoe, M.D.