Letters Sent to Dr. Herman Schlundt, November 22, 1929

November 22nd,1929. Dr. Herman Schlundt, University of Missouri, Cólumbia, Mo. Dear Dr. Schlundte May I call your attention to a note in the November 16th,1929 issue of the Journal of the A.M.A., in which Dr. Flinn issues a word of caution regarding the use of redium internally. The first case referred to in this connection is that of Mr. Curtis. I was somewhat surprised to find that Dr. Flinn hed made reference to this in print, and discussed the matter with him at a recent conferonce. He felt that he was entirely justified in the refer- ence which he had made, and that there was no reason whatever why he should have consulted either you or me regarding the matter. The other cases referred to are cases from Waterbury which have been under his observation, and which I know little or nothing about. In discussing this matter Dr. Flinn took the attitude that he was attempting to take a position which would prevent prople like Bailey distributing radium to the public at large. I am afraid that his communication has fallen far short of accomplishing the eim which he states he desires. You have doubtless noticed the renewed publicity given to the radium cases during the past few days, with special reference to the fact that some of the children of those afflicted are supposed to be radio-active. Barly this Spring Dr. Kneff asked Dr. Flinn if he would care to examine some of his clients for the presence of radio-activity. Dr. Flinn advised that he would have no objection to making such examina- tions, with the result that Dr. Kneff sent two or three of his patients to Dr. Flinn, as well as children of lrs. Tuck, Mrs. Nets and lrs. MeGuire. Dr. Flinn found the children of Lrs. Meta and Tuck slightly radio-active, but he did not advise their mothers or Dr. Kneff at that time. At a later time, however, he did advise the family physician of lis. Metz and Mrs. Tuck as to this condition, and advised then that should these children show any signs of anemia they should be taken care of. This information was given to the family physician confidentially, but evidently he did not treat it so, and it has gotten to the press, with the result of all the publicity that has been forthcoming, Dr. Flinn advises that the children of Mrs. liets and Tuck are very slightly radio-active, and probably do not contain over one or two micrograms of radium element. This figure he did not substantiate with data but was quoting it apparently from his recollec- tion. He personally has made no statement regarding the matter, but as you may appreciate the responsibility for this information falls upon his shoulders, for after all the family physician states that the informa-