OFFICE OF THE SURGEON GENERAL

TREASURY DEPARTMENT

BUREAU OF
THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE

 

ADDRESS THE SURGEON GENERAL
U.S. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE

lewrence Kolb, Surgeon,

Medical Officer in Charge,

UeSePublic Health Service Hos pital #97,
Waukesha, Wise

iw RePLYiNa WASHINGTON July 12, 1921

Dear Doctor:
On June 24th I sent you the following wire:

"Senate Committee investigation Service hearing complaints from former
patients charging neglect and abuse by officers stop Service should
receive credit for good that has been accomplished stop Inform your
patients of situation if they desire to commend Service ask them to
wire or write Senator Sutherland at once."

Up to this date I have not heard from you as to whether or not you attempted
to comply with my request.

At the time I sent you the above telegram, a special Senate Investi-
gating Committee was investigating the Services who have charge of the rehabil-
itation work of the ex-service men. Numerous witnesses were appearing each day
before this committees and unusual statements were made before the committee by

' former patients. Charges of gross neglect, inefficiency on the part of the
mdical oificers as well as abuse. Our Service was not being heard and I felt
that it should be commended for the good that it has done.

twenty hospitals have replied.to my request, sending in over one
thousand commendatary letters and telegrams, ina mumber of places the local
Legion Posts have joined with the patients in sending in these letters.

I am asking you to interview yow® patients and, if they feel like do-
ing so, suggest to them that they write to Senator Howard Sutherland, United
States. Senate, Washington, D. C., and express their opinion of your institution.
I would also suggest that you call on the local Legion Officers and explain to
them that these Service hospitals have been attacked and, so far, the only way
they have to reply is in the manner above mentioned.

Please give this your immediate attention and send me copies of the
letters that are written. ‘he committee is still in session and have stated
through the tress that special investigators will be sent out by the committee

to inspect the various hospitals.

  

‘THOMAS He SCO’, Senior Surgeon (Reserve),
General Inspector, UeSePeHeie,
weneral Inspection Services