Letters Sent to Major C.L. Beaven, July 16, 1928

July 16th,1928 E.R stilt Surgeme Gen. Major C.L. Deaten, Medical Corps, U.S. Army, Kelly Field, Texas. Dear Sir: In reply to your communication of July 11th, we are glad to give you herewith a list of recommendations whâdh we believe will eliminate any possibility of trouble or hazard connected with the hand) ing and application of luminous radio-active materials to instrument dials, etc. 1. At one time it was quite common for operators to point the brushes with their lips, a practice which should be strictly forbidden. It is generally conceded that where trouble has resulted and radio-active materials have been deposited in the system, this practice served as the means of introducing the material into the system. With the discontinuance of such a practice, this possibility, of course, is eliminated. 2. The work should be conducted in well ventilated and well lighted rooms. 3. Applicators should thoroughly cleanse their hands after handling luminous material. 4. Applicators should refrain from placing hands about the face or mouth then engaged in the operation of applying this material to instrument dials, etc. 5. Operators continously engaged in this type of work should have frequent (qverterly) medical examinations. Such examination consisting of a blood pieture, and a general examination of teeth, heart,chest and lungs. 6. A test has been developed for detecting minute traces (as low as 2 micrograns) of radium element, when deposited in the system. Those engaged in the application of luminous material such as clock companies, are having their employees subjected to this test at various intervals, in order to be absolutely assured that there is no possibility of danger. Dr. F. B. Flinn, who was at one time conntedted with the U. S. Public Health Service in Washington, has been malcing these examinations for a large number of the clock companies, and is in a position to do such work for those interested. The a love referred to recommendations apply to all grades