DOCUMENT 2 (TAB I-5) Review of Saenger Application by Army Officials OFFICE MEMORANDUM - United States Government TO: Chief, Radiological Service Date: 20 October 1958 Walter Reed Army Medical Center FROM: Asst Chief, Biophysics and Astronautics Research Branch, U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command SUBJECT: Application for Research Contract 1. The inclosed coy of research proposal entitled, "Metabolic Changes in Humans Following Total Body Radiation," has been submitted for or consideration to Dr. Eugene L. Saenger of the University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio. 2. Request review of the attached proposal and please give your recommendations as to whether or not this study should be supported by the Army medical Service. 1 Incl Arthur D. Sullivan OTSG Form 108 ARTHUR D. SULLIVAN Lt Colonel, MSC ______________________________________________________________ "illegible" To: Asst Ch, Biophysics & Astronautics Research Branch, US Army Medical Research & Development Command FROM: Chief, Radiological Svc, WHAH DATE: 22 Oct "illegible" ColIsherwood 1. Recommend approval. 2. Much work has been done on the effects of total body irradiation in an "illegible." There has been no real effort to date for similar studies on humans. The valid "illegible" of the assumption that animal reaction is identical with that in humans is purely an assumption. There is definite need for basic work in this field. Any correlation of tumor response to total dose of irradiation by such means as proposed in this project would be of great value in the field of cancer. In addition if any means such as those proposed accurate knowledge of the total dose of radiation received could be determined it would be of inestimable value in case of atomic disaster or nuclear warfare. The applicant, Dr. Saenger, is well qualified to conduct such research. He is not only an enthusiastic and tireless worker but the ability to stimulate his co-workers and assistants. He has an unusual "illegible" mind and is an excellent organizer and administrator. I believe the facilities which he as available are well adapted to the project. It is believed that any funds spent on such a project are well worthwhile. 1 Inc John A. Isherwood n/c JOHN A. ISHERWOOD Colonel, MC Chief, Radiological Service 1 OFFICE MEMORANDUM - United States Government "illegible" TO: Deputy Commander, Date: 20 October 1958 U.S. Army Medical Research & Development Command FROM: Special Assistant for Nuclear Energy, OTSG SUBJECT: Application for Research Contract 1. This investigator is well known to the undersigned as a competent, honest researcher who will surely perform the research in commendable fashion. Accordingly this proposal should be supported if: a. U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command supports basic research. b. Monies are available. 2. If this proposal can be construed as a means of detection of exposure to radioactivity (and consequently its management), it could be supported as applied research. Clinton S. Maupin 1 Inc. CLINTON S. MAUPIN n/c Colonel, M.C. 2 US ARMY MEDICAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COMMAND MEDDH-MR 3 November 1958 MEMORANDUM FOR: COLONEL SULLIVAN SUBJECT: Application for Research Contract, "Metabolic Changes in Humans Following Total Body Radiation", submitted by Eugene L. Saenger, MD, College of Medicine at University of Cincinnati 1. I have reviewed the subject proposal in detail and think that it will provide us with much needed information on the little-known metabolic changes in humans following irradiation. 2. I know nothing about the responsible or principal investigators, but presume that they must be of high caliber. The University of Cincinnati College of medicine and associated hospitals are well recognized and accepted in the medical community. 3. This program also fits in well with work being done at the US Army Medical Research Laboratory, Fort Knox, Ky. 4. I recommend that the AMS support this contract. 1 Inc William W. Cox WILLIAM W. COX, LTCOL, MC Chief, Medical Research Branch 3 DISPOSITION FORM File No Subject: Application for Research Contract To US Army Med Research and Development Command, Attn: Lt Col. A.D. Sullivan From Director, Division of Nuclear Medicine and Chemistry Date 7 Nov 58 Comp Dr. Saenger's proposal has been reviewed and the following comments appear pertinent: 1. I have very little hope that a study of amino acid excretions will result in practical data. As is pointed out in the proposal, a number of people have looked at the problem and the levels vary widely and there appears to be no consistency. A great deal of work has been done in animals, again without consistent findings. Apparently the biological variations are so great that one cannot isolate any particular amino acid. The Y- 12 experiment, however, was petty good. Any study of this nature must also consist of metabolic evaluations including specific food intakes, etc. The proposal does not indicate that this is planned. 2. In spite of the above, I feel that Dr. Saenger should be supported with a high priority. There are so few radiologists in the country willing to do total body radiation that those that are should be encouraged more. His past research experience has been good and I feel that he is a very reliable investigator. If he is supported I am sure he will soon decide that some other phase of the radiation program should be investigated and switch to this. His budget appears somewhat excessive in personnel, particularly for the first year. I doubt that he will have enough patients to keep this many people busy. This is certainly true of the statistician. The remainder of the budget appears reasonable. James B. Hartgering, 1 Incl JAMES B. HARTGERING, Lt. Colonel, MC n/c Director 4