May 15, 1959

Mrs. Geraldine Valentine
hl Mase Avenue
Dover, New Jersey

Dear Mrs. Valentine $

Thank you for your letter concerning research at the National
Institutes of Health.

For a number of years I have followed carefully the research at
the Institutes and know personally those who testify. I am convinced
that the policy of the Institutes is to practice the highest humanitarian
treatment of all living things and I am sure that unnecessary suffering
of patients or animals would not be tolerated.

In answer to your specific question concerning the monkeys in the
research reported by Dr. Pearce Bailey, I am advised there is no indica-
tion of suffering. It is my understanding that thousands of persons who
suffer from various mental disorders are helped each year in hospitals
through the use of electrical stimulation called shock treatment and
there is no evidence that pain or suffering is involved in such treatment.
Also, in brain surgery the doctors tell me it is necessary to use elec-
tronic stimulation to locate the extent of the lesion to be removed and
that in such cases, only a local anesthetic is necessary when the elec~-
trodes are inserted into the scalp and the patient is then able to remain
awake and feels no discomfort during the application of the stimulation.

I can well understand your concern for humanitarian treatment of
animals. Our committee frequently reviews with care the policies and
research practices of the National Institutes of Health and you may be
assured that the highest standards of research, patient care, and human=
itarian treatment are maintained at all times.

With kindest regards,

Sincerely,

John E. Fogarty, M. Ce