The Washington herald., 1906-11-22
BORAXNOT CAUSE, SAYS WILEY
Chemist Refutes Allegations as to
Freeman's Death.
Says Data on "POisOn squad" VIII
SHOW Dead Man Was Discharged
as Physically Unfit.

Dr. H. ". Wiley, Chief Of the Bureau Of
Chemistry. SCOTS at the idea that the
acids administered in the foods Of the
poison sound. begun under his direc-
ton four years ago, are responsible for
the death from tuberculosis Of a young
man in this city. although he sympathizes
with the mother.
Mrs. Lurea Latham, Of 617 Thirteenth
street, mother Of Robert V. Freeman,
twenty-three. and a member Of the origi-
nal poison squad" asserts that the death
/ Of her son was due 10 weakened system
/ brought about while attending the expert
meats at the bureau. The young man
died Monday morning, and Mrs. Latham
says her boy was in perfect health when
/ he entered the service.
/ For the first few months We admins
| tered nothing in the food but borax and
( boracic acid" Or. Wiley said yesterday.
I sympathize. deeply with Mrs. Latham.
/ but do not believe that the experiments
are in any way responsible for the disease
which caused her sons death.
LAS a matter OF fact borax and bo-
raclc acid acts on the system as an anti
septic and would have a tendency 10 kill
the tubercular germ. Our records will
show the condition Of young Freeman
when he entered the service. In case
suit is brought against the government,
We have ample records and reports to fail
| back on 10 protect ourselves. But I do
not propose TO make public Just what
the defense will reveal should such q suit
ever be brought 20 trial"
A report Of DIT II. .. Geddings. of
/ The Public Health and Marine Hospital
! Service. who examined the squad during
/ the first several months, would indicate
/ that Robert Freeman was not in TIE best
/ Of health when he offered himself 10 the
/ services OF the hygienic table. Regarding
I Freeman's lungs when he entered the ser
! vice, the report says there were signs OF
a slight bronchitis affection, and a con-
| ducti0n Of vocal resonance over the left
/ lung. There was also evidence Of some
mucous rales. DR.. Geddings examined
/ him frequently. as he do the others Of
/ the class. and on April 4, 1903. recon-
l mcndec Freeman's discharge He did not
consider that his physical condition was
/ III for the experimental work.
Mrs Latham has not yet decided what
action she viii take. Since the boy left
| the class he has been in the West for the
/ benefit OF his health. Several months ago
( he returned 20 Washington, and has
/ gradually declined Mrs Latham is a
/ widow, her first husband being a veteran
I OF the civil war.
! DR.. D. Percy Hickling, the attending
/ physician, does not believe that the ex-
/ periments brought about tuberculosis in
4 the Freeman case. However, he says that
/ the acids might have had a tendency to
! weaken him physically.
/ Before joining the poison squad" each
member signed documents releasing the
| government from all responsibility in
I case Of accident or death. Mrs. Latham
/ says her son was under age at the time.
and that she knew nothing of his inten-
! tiOns until afterward.
! Young Freeman was a member Of the
/ Y, II. c. A, and at one time sang in the
/ choir of the Church Of the Ascension
| The funeral will take place from lie
/ Church Of the Ascension at 1870 o'clock
| this morning.