Document XRG65gXnrJDd3we818mMxEzqG

4 November 9, 1950 Dr L T. Kaasa, Midland Ho^pital Association, *K)G5 Sturge on Hoad, Midland , Mi ehigan* Dear Doctor icaasa t > There has been sound Information available for a long time on the ability of lead to reach the fetus b y way of the placenta. Much of this has derived from animal experimentation, and It is 3 0 well established that few persons of experience would feel It necessary to remark on It further. Still births have not been reported in any considerable number, with satisfactory evidence of their etiology, and I know of no reports of cases of the type you have referred to, in which illness of this type resulted in death after delivery. There .may have been such reports, but I am not familiar with them off hand* ; I am somewha t interested, and perhaps even a bit concerned by the manner in w:hich the diagnosis of p l m b i s m is made in the four months old child, at necropsy or elsewhere. How does one know that this was lead poisoning? If you are to prove that lead was absorbed in significant amounts, you will require analytical evidence. Is such evidence av liable? If net, and if any material remains, we could assist you in investigating this phase of the matter. I should doubt the wisdom of publishing the case report without such evidence, since questions w ill be asked along this line, and since proof is so readily obtained that the failure to obtain and present it will be severely criticized. I should be glad to have any further comments on the case, with special ref erence to differential diagnosis, that you may care to g i v e . If I can be of further assistance, please let me know. Cordially yours, RAK ef Dictated bu t not read. Robert . ehoe, M. D.'