Dr. T. H. Davison's Survey of Plant Physical Examinations and Counseling of Pneumoconiosis Cases, with the Plants' Replies (1970)

A memo of February 27, 1970, from Dr. T. H. Davison, J-M's corporate medical director, at the Waukegan plant to all industrial relations managers, asking each location to report on its periodic physical examination program on an enclosed form, with the replies of nine locations. One question asked: "Are identified pneumoconiosis cases routinely advised and counseled regarding their diagnosis?" The Billerica plant reported that "very few" of its 12 cases had been told, mostly older cases advised years before: "Until recently the philosophy was to withhold this info. unless there was a critical reason to."

What it shows

The replies vary. Marrero answered no, "not prior to present studies being made at Tulane Medical School." Long Beach counted 12 cases and 4 advised, the doctor advising "as he deems necessary." The Jeffrey Mine reported 114 of 175 cases counseled, Waukegan 65 of 67, Lompoc 10 of 10, and an unnamed location 57 of 98. Cleburne, Texas, had told its one case nothing, "waiting for completion of further study being conducted in New York." Zelienople wrote that a young doctor's counseling had left some employees "scared to death" and asked "what a person with a pneumoconiosis should be told." Billerica added that C. L. Sheckler, visiting in December 1969, had told the plant doctor to use his discretion. The survey was requested by H. M. Jackson on February 18; Waukegan's earlier practice is described in Dr. Davison's 1963 memo on untold red slip cases.

In Johns-Manville's chronology

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

Memorandum from T.H. Davison, M.D., to All Industrial Relations Managers, dated 2/27/70, requests completion of form re status of periodic physical examination program at each plant. The form contains the following question: "Are identified pneumoconiosis cases routinely advised and counseled regarding their diagnosis?"

Marrero responded: "No, not prior to present studies being made at Tulane Medical School." Waukegan responded: "now yes," and clarified that 57 out of 98 identified cases had been advised to date. Long Beach responded: "yes when recognized and confirmed," and reported 12 identified cases "(for suggested pulmonary evaluation)," only 4 of whom had been advised. "(Dr. advises as he deems necessary)."

Billerica reported that advising employee was solely at doctor's discretion, reported 12 identified cases. As to how many of these 12 had been advised it was noted: "Very few, mostly older cases and employees who were advised 5-10 years ago, by the Co. doctor. Until recently, the philosophy was to withhold this info. unless there was a critical reason to. When Cliff Sheckler was here in Dec. 1969 he advised our doctor to use his discretion in such cases."

Jeffrey Mine responded that identified cases were advised by reported only 114 out of 175 had actually been advised to date.

Zelieniople reported it was experiencing some difficulty in counseling: "Dr. Janicke, being very young and relatively inexperienced, apparently has not shown much discretion in counseling those with a pneumoconiosis since some of our employees have been 'scared to death' upon returning from the examinations. We would appreciate any suggestions you may have concerning these difficulties and specifically information as to what a person with a pneumoconiosis should be told."

Dr. Liss at the Manville plant reported that identified cases were advised "since autumn of 1968", and that "most" of 395 identified cases had now been counseled. (By May, 1970, he reported only fifteen individuals had still not been advised.)

Editor's note: J-M's description says Waukegan had advised 57 of 98 cases. Waukegan's own form reports 67 cases and 65 advised; the form giving 98 and 57 does not name its plant. The figures for Dr. Liss and the Manville plant are not in this file.

Related documents

• H. M. Jackson to Dr. T. H. Davison Asking for a Survey of Plant Physical Examination Programs (1970)