Denial of a Trial for Carlisle Indian School Physician's Potential Tuberculosis Remedy

Date
December 4, 1914 - January 23, 1915

Carlisle Indian School Physician Dr. Walter Rendtorff informs the Commissioner of Indian Affairs that he thinks he may have developed a cure for tuberculosis, which he has used on David Belin and two others. He requests to give it a trial at the Fort Lapwai and Toledo sanitariums. 

Assistant Commissioner E. B. Meritt tells Rendtorff to write to the heads of the Fort Lapwai and Toledo sanitariums, who are Dr. John N. Alley and Dr. Robert L. Russell, respectively. He also suggests that Rendtorff communicate with the Public Health and Marine Hospital Service. 

Rendtorff writes to Dr. John F. Anderson at the Service hoping to present his remedy and theories to him. Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Bo Sweeney asks that his department be informed about Rendtorff's cure.

Sweeney then informs the Assistant Secretary of the Interior that the Public Health Service Surgeon-General does not have time to investigate Rendtorff's claims and suggests that he presents his findings to a local or state medical society. Meritt forwards this information to Rendtorff. 

Time Period
Year
Repository
National Archives and Records Administration
Location
RG 75, CCF Entry 121, #130749-1914-Carlisle-734
Denial of a Trial for Carlisle Indian School Physician's Potential Tuberculosis Remedy