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    "localId": "75727275",
    "label": "Letters Sent to Dr. Herman Schlundt, August 5, 1932",
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    "title": "Letters Sent to Dr. Herman Schlundt, August 5, 1932",
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        "Safety Light Collection",
        "Records Related to Radium Dial Painters"
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    "ocrText": "Ausust 1932.\nDr. Herman Schlundt,\nc/o Roger Toll,\nSuperintendent,\nYellow Stone Park,\nWyoming.\nDear Dr. Schlundt:\nDuring the past few days I have had a few thought which I am\ngoing to submit to you for your consideration while traveling thru the Western\npart of the U.S. For the most part these may be idle dreams, but at the same\ntime I believe that they are not wholly without merit, and fall entirely within\nthe realms of possibilities if we apply ourselves.\nAs I indimted to you in one of my previous letter, I am quite\nconvinced that there is efficacy in the use of radon in connection with certain\nailments, particularly arthritis, and probably other conditions which are not defin-\nitely known at the present time. As we know there is an urgent need for clinical\nevidence establishing the limitations of this type of medication as well as defin-\nite benefits to be derived, It seems to that the University of Missouri should be\ninterested in undertaking a program along this line in view of the fact that from\nthe radium standpoint there is no place better equipped, and at this time you have\nthe biology department sufficiently interested to lend you their whole-hearted\ncooperation. Roughly, there occurs to me the methods of approaching this problem,\nwhich I am going to submit herewith for your consideration and perhaps amusement:\n1. This problem appears to me to be of sufficient magnitude and\nimportance to interest someone in medical philanthropy. In this connection we\nat one time knew that Mr. Mellon was interested in sponsoring some work in this\ndirection, such interest, I believe had been aroused thru our friend Dr. Lindand\nhis connection with Surgeon General Cummings of the U.S. Public Health Service.\nIt is quite probable that with 8 properly prepared program we might again enlist the\ninterest of Mr. Mellon. If you believe that this has any merit you might mention\nthe matter to Dr. Lind during your trip thru Yellow Stone, or at the Chemical\nSociety's meeting in Denver.\n2. This plan is less ambitious and probably quite possible of\nputting into force. The University of Missouri's interest should be enlisted in\nthis cause to such an extend that they would be willing to set aside, say 25 beds\nat the University's Hospital for the study of cases where radon was to be administ-\nered. The patients to be so treated, should have free medical care end hospital\nization, and should, of course, be selected cases only. There might be some a\ngement worked out with patients who were capable of paying whereby in the even'\nthey were benefited a modest fee should be paid, but where patients were unab\"\nto pay they should be treated free of all charges, except their transportati\npage -2-\nand frm Columbia.\nIf it should be definitly established that there is merit to\nthis type of treatment, it is entirely possible that you would soon be treating\npatients of sufficient means that they would be more than glad to give support\nin 8 philanthropic way to the work being done. You can readily visualize the\npossibilities along this line, and of course the thing necessary to arouse one's\ninterest is the belief that there is undoubtedly benefits to be derived from such a\ntype of medication.\nThe unit where the work is to be done should be well equipped from\nthe standpoint of radioactive baths, radium emanatoriums, radium drinking fountains\netc. I should very much like to see such an an institute started at the University\nof Mo., as I believe that they would gain/international reputation, as a result of\nthe work done in this line.\n1 would like to call your attention to an editorial in the July 30th,\nissue of the Journal of the A.M.A., also an article by 10 Des Jardins, Science,\nVol. 75, page 569, June 3,1932. Dr. Des Jardins article would seem to indicate\nas pointed put in the editorial, that the use of radium and x-rays may become a\nvery vital factor in the practical application of medicine, even more so than\nheretofore.\nIn case my exchequer has no unexpected blows, I may possibly\nendeavor to show up at the meeting in Denver the latter part of this month.\nMy\nplans are not at all definite, and this is only a thought at the moment.\nWith kindest regards, I am\nSincerely yours,\nVice President.\nHHBarker:RH"
}