TREASURY DEPARTMENT
U.S. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
WASHINGTON

 

IN REPLYING

ADDRESS THE SURGEON GENERAL

U. S. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE. May 20, 1938

PERSONAL

Medical Director Lawrence Kolb
Medical Officer in Charge

U. S. Public Health Service Hospital
Lexington, Kentucky

My dear Doctor Kolb:

I have been intending to write you a personal note con-
cerning the matter of taking fingerprints of voluntary patients
admitted to Lexington. This matter has been discussed at some
length with the legal representatives of the General Counsel's
office and with others here, and all of us feel that the taking
of fingerprints is hardly in keeping with the intent of the act
authorizing the farm. It would seem that sufficient identifica-
tion exists in the signatures on the application. Verification
of signatures is one of the principal means of identification in
banks, especially safety deposit sections. It might be desirable
to give consideration to a print of the index finger, to be placed
upon the application of the individual when received for admission,
in order that there would be no difficulty in identification, to
make sure when the time arrives for discharge that the case in
question is actually leaving the institution.

To take fingerprints of voluntary patients and file them
with the fingerprints of ex-prisoners, probationers, etc. is sure
to result in an accident at some time, and through change of per-
sonnel such fingerprints may find their way to another government
agency, and if we do not have such records there would be no means
whereby they could go astray. Moreover, such an accident would make
the individual medical officer in charge of the institution person-
ally liable should a case undertake to bring a matter of this sort
into court. I have discussed this matter with Ossenfort and he is
in accord with our views about the matter. This is referred to you
for such action as may seem appropriate.

I am in receipt of your personal note of May 16th, advis-
ing that you will arrange the temporary storage of my furnishings
when they arrive at Lexington, and 1 very much appreciate your
courtesy in this matter. All of the things that we are shipping
by van will be used in the quarters, and consist of a few living
room pieces, some dishes, bric-a-brac, and other items of personal
furniture which we can put into the quarters. It is not very much
a

and when you arrange for storage you may keep in mind that it
will only be for a temporary period.

With kindest personal regards, and looking forward to
seeing you in San Francisco, I am

Sincerely,

WX heatmra

Assistant Surgeon General
Division of Mental Hygiene

WLT: JE