Dr. Paul Gross to Dr. Kenneth W. Smith on Revising a Manuscript on Asbestosis (1957)

A two-page letter of June 21, 1957, from Dr. Paul Gross, a research pathologist, to Dr. Kenneth W. Smith, J-M's medical director. Gross encloses "the Pomerleau report," thanks Smith for a reprint on the solubility of asbestos fibers, and describes his own tests on "superfine asbestos fluff." He has asked for a manuscript to be returned for revision: if they are "on insecure grounds," they will delete all reference to "the paucity of asbestos dust deposits in the lung," but he still wants to say that asbestosis "is to be regarded as a non-progressive disease" unlike silicosis.

What it shows

Gross asks for Smith's marked copy of the manuscript so he can include Smith's corrections, and says that after revising it, "I shall send you a copy for your approval, and, if you approve, I shall then send it to the editor." The letter shows J-M's medical director reviewing and approving a paper on asbestosis before it went to a journal. It ends by asking again about the lung cancer case "in which I could not find the primary" (Gross to Smith, June 10).

In Johns-Manville's chronology

Johns-Manville's own chronology of what the company knew describes this document as follows:

Dr. Gross letter to Dr. Smith dated 6/21/57. Dr. Gross asks for any comments on the lung cancer case in which "he could not find the primary." Dr. Gross also discusses the revision of a manuscript. Dr. Gross states that he would like to leave in a statement that asbestosis is to be regarded as a non-progressive disease note [sic] in contrast to the demonstrated progressiveness of silicosis." Also, Dr. Gross states that "we find that we are on insecure ground, we shall delete all reference to the paucity of asbestos dust deposits in the lung." Dr. Gross asks for Dr. Smith's copy of the manuscript as it contains some corrections made beforehand. Dr. Gross states that after the revisions have been made, he will send Jackson a copy for his approval, and if Jackson approves, he will then send it to the editor.

Editor's note: J-M's description says Gross would send the revised manuscript to Jackson for approval. The letter is addressed to Smith and says "I shall send you a copy for your approval"; Jackson is not mentioned.