Document zV6a5bVMdgBvLxaGrnNwXr6g

I >n ANDREW FUETCH KR^RUIDCNT BROWNIlL, VICE ^KCBIOCHT MARTINO, VIC PHCBIOSNT XOLUER.ViCI >RCSieCMT ROBERT LINOLCY2IEOFCLD, SECRETARY - TREAtURfR lirntfiaastMces 6 0 EAST 42n d STREET NEW YORK 17, N Y. May l, 1957 MANFRED BOWDITCH OIRICTOR OF HEALTH AHO tAPCTY Robert A. Kehoe, M. D., Director Kettering Laboratory of Applied Physiology University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Eden Avenue Cincinnati 19, Ohio Dear Bob: The paragraph marked in the reproduction from the May 3rd U. S. Morbidity and Mortality Report enclosed herewith was brought to my attention by Sherman Pinto, who brands it as "nonsense," as do I. For the reasons (1) that my views on plumbism are apt to be viewed with skepticism by those who are strangers to me, (2) that I have no close friends of importance in the , Public Health Service since Seward Miller pulled out,and (3) that you are the outstanding wieLder of the trenchant pen in situations such as this, I hope you will feel like asking how come they gave space to so screwy an item. As Pinto also says, "unfortunately publication in this U. S. Public Health Service bulletin will make many people believe the tale." yours, KB: gmk Enclosure: N22145 Morbidity and Mortality Wtrklv PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE U S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE Prepored by the NATIONAL OFFICE OF VITAL STATISTICS ixicetivi 3-6300, Ext. 4744 For release May 3, 1957 Washington 25, D. C. Vol. 6, No. 17 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report EPIDEMIOLOGICAL REPORTS--Continued [ Chemical poisoning Dr. J. D. Martin, Louisiana State Department of Health, ery, Alabama, states that at present 30 Isolates of influenza' has reported the occurrence of 3 cases of lead poisoning in 1 have been received by the Center this year. All are clearly | family. The patients experienced abdominal cramps, nausea, within the type A set of strains currently distributed world vomiting, diarrhea, and metallic taste from 45 minutes to 2 hours wide. Continued studies with representative viruses are In J after eating duck. The duck had been killed in the southwestern progress with the view toward more detailed antigenic analyses] part of the State and had been stored in a freezer for approxi and comparisons of virulence. Regional laboratories are en-| mately 2 months prior to consumption. Chemical analysis of couraged to send additional isolates so that other variants can < the remaining portion of the meat revealed the presence of 0.12 be included in these observations. Laboratories collaborating .percent of lead (as Pb). In the program are requested by the Center to send representa tive isolates to their Regional Laboratories. The plan has been Gastro-enterltls that these laboratories would (unction as a "clearinghouse," The California State Department of Public Health has re provide rapid antigenic typing service, and forward a limited ported an outbreak of gastro-enterltls among 65 persons in a number of viruses to the Center for more detailed, long-term boys' camp. Of these, 11 became ill with fever, nausea, vomit studies. Whe*h laboratories send isolates directly to the Center, ing, headache, cramps, and diarrhea from 3 to 14 hours after copies of the communications should be forwarded also to the eating pork roast and gravy. Bacteriologic examination of raw Regional Laboratories which may then request the viruses if and cooked pork and gravy revealed a small number of staphy.- desired. lococci. The California State Department of Public Health also re Rabies in man The California 9tate Department of Public Health has re ports 4 cases of Staphylococcus aureus food poisoning following the ingestion of ham sandwiches in a restaurant. ported a case of rabies in a 41-year-old man living in Orange County. The patient developed symptoms on April 7 and died 4 days later. The diagnosis was confirmed by microscopic examination of brain tissue and by mouse Inoculation. Histoplasmosis Dr. Mason Romaine, Virginia State Department of Health, has reported a case of histoplasmosis in a 8-year-old boy. This child visited relatives and explored their chickenhouse. One Psittacosis The California State Department of Public Health has re ported 2 confirmed cases of psittacosis. One additional case week later he became ill with fever (105 degrees), cough, and weakness. These symptoms lasted for approximately 2 weeks. The patient was hospitalized and a physical examination re was reported but for it there was no rise in complement fixation vealed characteristic radiologic findings and a positive lntratiter and because of a long Incubation period it was not con dermal skin test for histoplasmosis. sidered a confirmed case. However, a titer of 1:32 indicated a previous infection. An X-ray examination of the chest of one patient showed an abnormal density inferior to the right hilar QUARANTINE MEASURES area with some discoid atelectasis extending laterally from this region as well as above Ute right costal phrenic angle. This Immunization Information for internsHnnsi Travel patient owned a parakeet which was thought to have killed it Public Health Service Publication No. 384 self. The owner denies that the bird was ill. The other patients also owned parakeets which died. No tests were made on any The following name should be added to the list of Desig of the dead birds. nated Yellow Fever Vaccination Centers, Section 6: Dr. S. H. Osborn, Connecticut State Department of Health, has reported a case of psittacosis in a 05-year-old man. This man became ill with fever and fatigue, but had no definite upper Center Clinic hours Fee respiratory symptoms. A blood specimen collected about 3 days Knoxville-Knox County after onset of illness was positive for psittacosis in a dilution Health Department By appointment only No of 1:04. The patient had been exposed to a parakeet purchased P. O. Box 1070 in Massachusetts. The bird died; the body was destroyed and Knoxville, Tennessee was not available for laboratory teats. Tel. 2-5195 or 4-1163 N22145.01