Letters Sent to Dr. Frederick B. Flinn, October 16, 1925

COPY G.E. Pfahler, M.D. B.P. Widmann, M.D. 1321 Spruce St., Phila.Pa. October 16,1925. Dr. Frederick B. Flinn, Prof. of Industrial Hygiene, Columbia University, 437 West 59th St. N Y.C. Dear Dr. Flinn: I zam very mach interested in your letter of October 14th, I fear that I can add vory little to your information. I have not como in contact with the Industrial workers. I belivvo, howovor, that the effect on these girls which you describe and the article concerning which I had previously read, may possibly be explained from the effect of these particles of radio activo matter getting into the bone through open spaces in the cancellous structure connected with phorrhea. As you well lmow, even many years ago when necrosis of the jaw followed wither extensive administration or workers in load, mereury or phosphorlus, it was found that these patients were not likely to devolop these conditions if their mouths and teeth were kept clean. By x-Tay examination, we continually show the open cancellous spaces connected with phorrhea. It does sem possible, therefore, that continued use over a long period of time might lead to the absorption of these particles just as pus or infections germs are absorbed in these phorrheal open spaces. I know of no bone changes in connection with radium administration excepting when the bone is directly OVE - exposed and then the offect is local. I have seen this when I have applied radium in connection with malignant disease by means of needles or even by prolonred contact application with radium capsules. Dr. Cameron, who is connected with the Radiun Chemical Co., Forbes & Harris Sts., Pittsburgh, could probably give you a rather striking case along this line, showing resistance of the body and the resistance of the bone even to radiation. As I remembor the details, of this caso, which is not in print the patient received at the time the report was made to me approzimately 100,000 radium milligram hours applied to the thirh on account of some malignant disease. This was scattered over a year of more but I bolieve there was no damago noted to the bone and no serious demage to the blood. I am enclosing a reprint of some blood studies, which I made in connection with the radiation effect some years ago With regard to the present workers, I bolieve that they should be caution- ed with regard to an emmination of their teeth and gum and instructed as to the proper care of them. I doubt bory mach if these precautions are talcen that there is any appreciable risk in the work. Very sincerely yours, t (signed) G.E.Phahler