Document n9OMXXBKkgwZ8p1mvORbZzp5G

The Saranac Laboratory FOR THE STUDY OF TUBERCULOSIS OF THE EDWAED L TRUDEAU FOUNDATION Saranac Lake, N.Y. Septeater 28, 1944 Dr. George M. Wheatley Medical Director Metropolitan Life Insurance Company New York, New York '. - Dear Dr. Wheatley: '* I hare recently been in communication with Mr. Vandiver Brown .and the local attorneys of the Canadian Asbestos interests regarding the matter of your proposed investigation of the incidence of tuberculosis In the Province of Quebec. I have assured these gentlemen that It would be most desirable from every standpoint If one could obtain more accurate information on the Incidence of tuberculosis In this section of Canada. The local doctors appreciate that they have a problem but I am not sure that they realise how serious It Is. From the claims standpoint In the asbestos industry I think there Is a tendency to attribute much of thi6 infection to exposure to asbestos dust. I don't believe that this opinion can be substantiated because in other sections of thie country where there Is much more asbestosls than there is in Quebec, the tuberculosis rates' are not excessive. In fact in North Carolina there is less tuberculoeis In those exposed to asbestos dust than in all the other industries. I believe It would be most desirable if your organization could establish both male and female rates in the com- Bunitlee of Thetford and Asbestos and also as controls determine rates In other Industrial towns of similar sire. This would afford the Information which Is badly needed on the tuberculosle rates among those exposed to asbestos and provide adequate controls. I would be very much surprised if you found any,excess of tuberculosis in the expoeed male population of the community. where asbestos is mined and milled. A bulletin published by the Metropolitan setting forth these findings would do much to clarify the local opinions on thie natter. We have completed our counts on Mr. Fehnel'e samples of the dust taken at Manvllle and find that the total concentrations are apparently low. Most of the samples contain appreciable amounts of asbestos fibre and we are looking forward to making a comparative study of the material that he will collect In Quebec in the coming weeks. With beet regards, Sincerely yours, Leroy U. Gardner, M. D. Dlreotor