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Technical Branch, SRS, I&SO Proposed Research - Artichoke

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1. Reference is made to our numerous conversations regarding special proposed plant research in. connectiop with newsubstances for use in the Artichoke prognam As.vou know, . ofOSI has recently returned fromar '; etc.) in connection with research in relationto the plant Piule and other similar plants of interest to us. trip very clearly now establishes that we are heading in the right direction and that the substances in which we have an.interest apparently show strong toxic and narcotic. qualities.

2. On this date, Tuesday, 25 November l952, the writer spent one
and one-half hours with carefully going over the research
to date and then held a fifteen-minute conference, arranged at the re
quest of with his superviso who
is Chief of the Medical Division of OSI.. As you know
has to have the authority oh before he can travel or engare
in any research although is Chief ofhe Pharmacological
and Bio-Chemistry Pranch of OSI. As a result of this conference, it
now appears that an immediate trip and areas south of is essential for:

3. I am setting out below, under individual headings, the broad ramifications of this trip and request that vou and I have an immediate conference in this matter wit and, if necessary I am requesting that the highest possitle priority be actacned to this trip for reasons which will be clearly explained below:

A H-B 16 F

A. Individuals Necessary to See in Mexico.

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had discovered that a world authority on Mexican plants and narcotic and toxicdrugs, is still alive and is residing and working in has an easy entree to by his cover which I will set out below and should be able to obtain first-rate assistance from this scientist. Fhas collaborated with in basic work on Piule and, henc will probably first point of contact.

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In addition, rhas arranged necessary contacts with numrous other individuals in the scientific fieldsin and nearty to assist in this research.

B. Areas to be Visited i

will fly immediately te He will do cerfain.basic research and liaison activity in and around and from there will procede south to th here we have clear records that the local Andian tribes arc reported to have usedand are ncw using 'Piule and othar related narcotic plants. In this arealiisiiy will do plant research, nake field tests, and will procure actual specimens for future work in the United States in connection with the drugs.

C. Time of Trip

It is cssential thaty. foave as soon as possible for it has been detormined that the coilection of plants and seeds, etc. is at its'maximum at, the presenttimeand will be for the next thirty to sixty days. estimates the trin will consumé thirty to sixty days, including necessary nlant research. The writer has ascertained that? is prepared to leave immediately in this-connection and is furthernore propared to undertake the rugged search and plant work required.

D. Assistance Hecessary forweaa.

has. informed the writer that no
assistance will be necessary for this tric excent as
he may require locally i He is familiar with
this area, speaks passahie and has contacts
arranged awer will, of course, require some
funds to purcnase assistance and possibly to pak trans
pertation costs of an i. scientists that feels may be of"vaiue in the field.

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E. Aithoriza'ion to Pass arantine for Bringing Plants Into the Inited States

Phas informed the writer that ne and his associates in OSI will take care of all quarantine regulations and conditions necessary. for the,bringing in of material obtained states that thisorill be done by his contacts in tne en He informed the writer tnere will he no problemin this connection.

F. Cover to be Used

will use the cover of the of wnich he is a menter. He will also besupported by necessary documentation fron and. fromn the He, of course, is a wellknown scientist and by reputation alon? is ahle to ohtain a freedom of movement that other persons might not he able to do. will carry the necessary chenical and biological.testing equipment with him and barring certain purchases which he will have to make in the field, will carry nothing that would give awartheexact nature of his mission. As an explanation, will state tnat he is enenging in nedical research having to do with the examination of narcotic drugs for anestnesia and related purposes.. This is regaried by the writer as being a completely broad enough field to duly protect cur interests.

G. Specific Otjects of this Hesearch to

This trip will be/discover, test, and ostain specimens of the plant group known as Fiule anc many of its related plants. Rosoarch has now shown that these plants have strong narcotic-toxic properties which are of vast interest to Artichoke. At the present time, very little is known of these plants and confusion exists as to which are the ones of greatest interest to us. D will make fieli tests on the spot in connection with all of these plants to assure us no worthless material is colierted.os.s Will use a spocial test that he has worked out and used fer over fifteen years and wnich he knows to be reliable.

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has already collected thirty specimens lecally etc.) of relates plants having toxic and narcotic properties and is presently engagod in tostirg these plants for properties cf interest tc Artichoke. Very little is known of this type of plant and extensive research is, therefore, recuired.

while i ill also attemot to obtain certain poisonous mushrooms, particulari the PANEOLUS CAMPANULAIUS and closely related species whien are found in thearea te-be visited. In this connection, it is known that these have a narcotic effect and are used by Indian tribes in ceremonies and for other pertinent reasons. It should he noted in connection with the use of mushrooms that the liussians have usod narcotic mushrocms to producéntoçicaana mental derangement for some time and, hence, the Artichcke interest in this field.

H. Funds lecessary for this Trip

It is proposed that the Artichoke project pay the total cost for this trip. However, if this is not feasible, it is felt that the trip expenses couii re split. with OS! aitnough the writer feels that the total pa;ment ty Artichoke would be advantageouz in tnis connection. These funds wili inelude all tzanscortation expenses including air travel betaeen rkand return, train fare, automobile, hiring of guides, etc.

Esnould also have funds with hhin fer the purchase offield surplies, food, etc.; for the purchase of technical assistance in coilecting material;, for purchase of actual specinens in bulk and any cther necossary incidental expenditures as wquld be ieternined by A The'writer feels that 'he trir nust not be nandicanped because of lack of funds and will recommend that be given a substantial advance prior to departure. (Ihe writer estimates that the trip expenses, including purchaseof materials, specimens, etc. should not exceed 2oc0.00. The cost of a roundtrip ticketta including Government tax.)

I. Authority for Tris

Perission fcr o make the trin to will have to cone frorl Chief of the Medical Division of OSI. As menlioned abcve,

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in an informal conversation with the writer ascertained that pis apparently willing to give his permission for srinmediate departure.

4. The writer requests that tais matter he taken up immediateiy since time in this case is definitely of the essence. It is believeci that as soon as the krtichoke probiems involved are irored -out, we should arrange a conf:rence wit ancr Sand fir up final details.

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A The followin is taken fror a monorandun t , dated lh Janiary 1953 - Subject - interrogation fron Techniques:

JJ 3. If tho services of 2 trained hymnotist can bo obtained and another nan weli rrounded in conventional psycholorical interrozation and polygriph tecluniuns, a woll-balanced interrogation and the servicns of. research center could hno estanlished in an especiaily selectcd location.

A 3-3-53

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