Document zo6Xxg921MojvbQq21B87Vw67

PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL Dr. R. M. Andre, Supervisor, Medical Section, The Industrial Commission of Ohio, Columbus 1 5 , Ohio. '' Dear Doctor Andre I write., tills letter under confidential and personal cover since it concerns a matter that obviously should be kept within the pro fession at this. time. This enables me to leave the matter entirely in your hands, and at the same time to point out that if it were possible for me to do anything else, I should be glad of the opportunity t o d o it. . My attention has been called to the fact that Doctor Spence, who is a local medical consultant of the Industrial Commi sslon, 1ms hardly conducted himself, from the aspect of medical judgment and performance, in such a way as to be a credit to the organized activity in which you are deeply concerned. Part of m y information is purely hearsay, but. a part, of it has come from the direct observations of professional colleagues whose ability and honesty are not open to question. In connection with cases of lead poisoning, Doctor Spence has committed himself in words and for the record as believing that lead intoxication always results in prolonged,if not permanent,disability. This is a point of view which might be held on the basis of the careful examination of patients over some considerable period of time, or an extensive experience in the lead trades. It so happens that Doctor Spence does not actually examine most of the persons on whom he passes in this regard, and that Ills experience in the field does not entitle him in any way to the expression of opinion which he expresses. Under the circumstances, and without going into details, I am quite convinced of his Incompetence and of his almost utter lack of judgment, In these r e gards. I think this is an unfortunate situation in this community, and I am also sure that It has very serious significance in relation to the policies and decisions of the Commission. You may be aware of the fact that one of the local companies, through certaiji of Its representatives for insurance purposes, feels Itself ^ a g r ^ e f I n thi3 matter. This is no part of my concern, for I do not speak of any economic problem in this regard except as it may relate to the squandering of the funds available for compensation. My attitude toward industry, in this regard, is a very simple one. Their problem is that of the elimination of the hazards of lead Dr. R . M. Jindre - (2) - December 20, 1949 poisoning from their industry. This can he done, and unless an industrial organization does this, it can obtain v er y little sympathy i'r-om me for its legal and financial trdubles in this relationshiv... I do think -it is disgraceful, professionally, to have work of uiiis sort done by iepresentatives of the Commission, and 1 think something should he done about it. .... . . I have no way of knowing what might be done or how it might be done but I have considered it my responsibility to.bring this matter to your attention. If.you care to suggest some other means of doing something about it that will come within the limits of appropriate professional methods, I should be glad to have you do so. Moreover if I could be of any assistance i o you in 12ms mi ter, I should be glad-if you will let me know. . .. ......- .. .. ; Sincerely yours,, RAK ef Dictated but not read. Robert A . lieho e , M . D . 0019792