Professor R A Peters (1889-1982): British Anti-Lewisite (BAL) and treatment of post-arsphenamine jaundice

Peters, Rudolph Albert, Sir, 1889-1982

Date:: 1941-1953

Reference:: GC/197

Archives and manuscripts

Collection contents

Professor R A Peters (1889-1982): British Anti-Lewisite (BAL) and treatment of post-arsphenamine jaundiceGC/197
- BAL (British Anti-Lewisite)GC/197/A
- Arsphenamine jaundice and methionineGC/197/B

About this work

Description

This small group of papers was received by the Contemporary Medical Archives Centre in July 1996 along with a number of other collections transferred from the Wellcome Unit for the History of Medicine, Oxford. The papers had apparently been received in the Unit in or around September 1991 but there is no information about who presented them. Rudolph Albert Peters (later Sir Rudolph Peters) was a distinguished medical scientist and Professor of Biochemistry, Oxford University. In both World Wars he was involved in research on the effects of gas warfare, and these files deal with his involvement in research into defence against chemical warfare agents, in particular mustard gas and Lewisite. He and his co-workers were able to develop an effective antidote to the latter, 2:3-dimercaptopropanol (British Anti-Lewisite or BAL). This substance also proved of clinical use in treating dermatitis arising from arsenotherapy (then still in use principally as a treatment for syphilis). A couple of files here deal with the related problem of arsenaphine jaundice and its treatment by methionine. The files include reports and correspondence and other material concerning the development of BAL ointment including its extensive testing on animals, beginning with guinea pigs and rabbits, monkeys and horses and eventually human volunteers, and the interest from the United States, which was concurrently developing the similar DHT.

Publication/Creation

1941-1953

Physical description

4 boxes

Contributors

Peters, Rudolph Albert, Sir, 1889-1982

Arrangement

A. BAL (British Anti-Lewisite), 1941-1953
A.1/1-6 Reports 1941-1950 A.2 Specifications
A.3/1-5 MRC BAL Conferences/BAL and Allied Substances Committee
A.4 Letters re publications on BAL
A.5 Correspondence on Italian newspaper articles on BAL

B. Arsphenamine jaundice and methionine, 1943-1945

Acquisition note

Collection transferred to Contemporary Medical Archives Centre in July 1996 along with other materials from Wellcome Unit for the History of Medicine, Oxford, where they had been received c. September 1991. It is not known who placed them there.

Biographical note

Biographical material on Peters may be found in Biographical memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society, Vol 29, 1983, and obituary in The Times, 2 Feb 1982.

Related material

Additional Peters material in PP/HBF, PP/MEL, PP/PBM, SA/PHY, SA/SRL

Notes

Index to correspondents

>Letters to and from Peters and between his associates.

Admiralty, Medical Department of the Navy A.3/1
Air Ministry Medical Service A.3/5
Allen, J A.4
American Embassy , OSRD Office, Johnson, John R A.2
Amor, AJ, Ministry of Supply A.1/5
Anderson, TE A.3/5, B.1
Animal Diseases Research Association, Stewart, I A.3/5
Australian Scientific Research Liaison Office, Bull, LB A.3/5
Barnes, JM A.3/3
Bensted, HJ B.2
Berk, Messrs FW and Co Ltd, Law, JA, Works Manager A.3/5
Biochemical Journal, King, EJ, Editor A.4
Blair, DM , South Africa, Office of the Secretary of Health/Dept of Health, Southern Rhodesia A.3/2, A.3/3
Boots Pure Drug Co A.4
- Broom, WA A.3/2
- Coppock, JBM A.3/5
- Dale, HE A.3/2
- Drummond, JL A.3/3
- Garforth, B A.1/5, A.2, A.3/1, A.3/5
- Harvey, EA A.3/2
- Hobday, GI A.3/3
- Marshall, J A.4
- Parkinson, Marshall, Production Planning Office A.2
- Smith, KL A.1/5
- Thomson, WAR A.3/3
- Williams, JRF A.3/3
Boyland, E A.2
British Council, Rome, Tahourdin, P A.3/3
British Drug Houses
- Brown, H Trevor A.3/2, A.3/3
- Carr, FH A.3/5
British Medical Bulletin, Popjak, H, Subeditor A.4
British Pharmacopoiea Commission, Denston, TC, Deputy Secretary A.3/3, A.3/5
Broom, WA, Boots Pure Drug Co A.3/2
Brown, H Trevor, British Drug Houses A.3/2, A.3/3
Brull, L A.4
Buffa, P A.5
Bull, LB, Australian Scientific Research Liaison Office A.3/5
Burn, JH A.1/1, A.3/3, A.5
Bywaters, EGL A.3/5
Calder, R A.1/1
Cambridge University Press
- Syndics of A.4
- University Printer, Johnson, D for A.4
Cameron, GR , Porton Experimental Station A.3/4
Carleton, Alice A.3/5
Carr, FH, British Drug Houses A.3/5
Cartledge, L A.3/5
Chandler, Joy S, Rheumatism Research Unit of the South West and Oxford Regions A.3/3
Charterhouse Rheumatism Clinic, Coke, Harry A.3/5
Chemical Research Defence, Ministry of Supply, Williams, Ltd A.2
Coke, Harry, Charterhouse Rheumatism Clinic A.3/5
Commission Internationale Permanente pour la Medicine du Travail, Davies, HJ, A.4
Cooke, AM B.2
Copeman, WSC, Savage, OA for A.3/5
Coppock, JBM, Boots Pure Drug Co A.3/5
Cunningham, IJ, Superintendent, Wallaceville Animal Research Station, New Zealand A.3/5
Currie, AN, Factory Dept, Ministry of Labour and National Service A.3/2
Cuthbertson, DP, Medical Research Council A.2, A.3/5, B.2
D'Adintorio, G A.5
Dale, HE, Boots Pure Drug Co A.3/2
De, HN A.3/3
Danielli, JF A.3/5
Davies, HJ, Commission Internationale Permanente pour la Medicine du Travail A.4
Denston, TC, Deputy Secretary, British Pharmacopoiea Commission A.3/3, A.3/5
Din, GM A.3/5
Drummond, JL, Boots Pure Drug Co A.3/3
Eason, EF, Chemical Defence Research Establishment, Ministry of Supply A.1/4
Edoardo, C A.5
Ellis, A, Medical Research Council A.1/5
Fairley, A A.1/1, A.1/2, A.3/5
Felton, CS, Chief, Medical Section, Monsanto Chemical Co A.3/5
Forgan, R, May and Baker Ltd A.3/3
Foster, WR, Ministry of Supply A.3/1
Fullerton, A A.3/5
Gaddum, JH A.1/5, A.2, A.3/1, A.3/2, A.3/5
Galway, County MOH A.3/5
Gamble, JA, Editor in Chief, Journal of Clinical Investigation A.4
Garforth, B, Boots Pure Drug Co A.1/5, A.2, A.3/1, A.3/5
Gilbert, HH, Medical Superintendent, Quebec A.3/5
Glasgow Public Health Dept, Moore, WR A.3/5
Glaxo Laboratories, Tomick, EG A.3/2
Graham, JDP A.3/5
Granger, AF A.1/5
Green, FHK, Medical Research Council A.3/3
Greenwood, M B.1, B.2
Guzman Barron, ES A.4
Haarer, Herbert Assistant Secretary , St John d'el Rey Mining Co Ltd A.3/1
Haddon, CE, Ministry of Supply B.1
Hammond, Dr A.3/5
Harmsworth, WP , Johnson Matthey and Co Ltd A.3/5
Harrison, K, Porton A.1/2, A.2, A.3/4
Harrison, LW , Ministry of Health A.3/4
Hartog, JM, National Research Development Corporation A.3/3
Hartley, P, National Institute for Medical Research A.1/5
Harvey, EA , Boots Pure Drug Co A.3/2
Harvier, P A.3/5
Hawking, F, National Institute for Medical Research A.3/5
Heath, JC, Strangeways Research Laboratory A.3/3
Herrald, FJC, Medical Research Council A.1/5, A.2, A.3/1, A.3/2, A.3/3, A.3/5
Himsworth, HP, Medical Research Council A.3/3
Hobday, GI, Boots Pure Drug Co A.3/3
Holmes, GA, Agricultural Liaison Officer, New Zealand A.3/5
Holmes, LHA, Ministry of Supply A.2
Howarth, AT A.4
Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd, Thelwall Jones, A A.3/2, A.3/5
Ingrassia, G A.5
International Paint and Compositions Co Ltd, Robinson, R, Chief Chemist A.3/5
Irwin, JO, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Statistical Research Unit A.3/2
Jealott's Hill Research Station, Thruston, MN A.3/5
Johnson, D for University Printer, Cambridge University Press A.4
Johnson, John R, OSRD Office, American Embassy A.2
Johnson Matthey and Co Ltd, Harmsworth, WP A.3/5
Journal of Clinical Investigation, Gamble, JA, Editor in Chief A.4
Kellaway, CH, Wellcome Research Institution A.3/1
Kalkar, HM A.3/5
King, AJ A.3/5, B.1, B.2
King, EJ, Editor, Biochemical Journal A.4
Kingan, R, British Chemical Warfare Representative, Washington
A.3/5, A.4
Kirner, W R, USA National Defence Research Committee A.1/1, A.2
Klaber, R A.2
Kucy, A A.3/2
Lamotte-Barrillon, S A.3/5
Law, JA, Works Manager, Berk, Messrs FW and Co Ltd A.3/5
Lawrence, AJL, Ministry of Supply A.2
Levvy, GA A.4, B.2
Lewart, RM A.3/3
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Statistical Research Unit, Irwin, JO, A.3/2
Longscope, WT A.4
Lorenzo, L A.3/3
Lourie, EM A.3/3
McCance, RA A.3/5
McFarlan, AM B.1
Tooke, E pp B.2
MacFarlane, WV A.3/5
McKenna, R, War Office B.2
McKenna, RAB A.3/5
MacLeod, JG A.3/5
McQuillin, FJ, Ministry of Supply A.2
Mandelbrote, B A.3/5
Maestra Santi, L A.5
Marotta, D A.5
Marshall, J, Boots Pure Drug Co A.4
Martin, WJ B.2
May and Baker Ltd, Forgan, R, A.3/3
Mazzei, ES A.3/2
Medical Director-General, Medical Department of the Navy,
Admiralty A.3/1
Medical Research Council
- Cuthbertson, DP A.2, A.3/5, B.2
- Ellis, A A.1/5
- Green, FHK A.3/3
- Herrald, EJC A.1/5, A.2, A.3/1, A.3/2, A.3/3, A.3/5
- Himsworth, HP A.3/3
- Mellanby, E A.3/4
- Thompson, JLS, Secretary to Dr Herrald A.3/1, A.3/5
- Whittaker, JD A.4
Meerapfel, O A.3/5
Mellanby, E, Medical Research Council A.3/4 `
Middlehurst, WH, for Sutcliffe, Speakman and Co Ltd, Engineers A.2
Miles, AA, National Institute for Medical Research A.1/5,A.3/1
Ministry of Health, Harrison, LW A.3/4
Ministry of Labour and National Service, Currie, AN, Factory Dept A.3/2
Ministry of Supply [see also Porton Experimental Station]
- Amor, AJ A.1/5
- Chief Controller Chemical Defence A.3/1
- Foster, WR A.3/1
- Haddon, CE B.1
- Holmes, LHA A.2
- Inspectorate of Medical Supplies, Rothery Mr A.2
- Lawrence, AJL A.2
- McQuillin, J A.2
- Owen, GA A.4
- Phillips, JWC, Superintendent, Research Establishment A.3/1
- Randall, WMS A.1/1, A.1/2, A.2
- Short, EI A.1/2, A.1/3
- Uffelmann, FR A.1/2, A.1/4, A.1/5, A.2, A.3/1, A.3/4, A.3/5, A.4
- Wheeler, CR A.1/1, A.2
- Williams, LTD A.1/1, A.2
- Woodward, FN A.1/5
Mond Nickel Co Ltd, Morgan, JG A.3/5
Monsanto Chemical Co, Felton, CS, Chief, Medical Section A.3/5
Moore, WR, Glasgow Public Health Dept A.3/5
Morgan, JG, Mond Nickel Co Ltd A.3/5
Morris, RM, South Africa, Office of the Secretary of Health/ Southern Rhodesia, Dept of Health A.3/3
Müller, AW A.3/5
Müller, J A.5
National Institute for Medical Research
- Hartley, P A.1/5
- Hawking, F A.3/5
- Miles, AA A.1/5, A.3/1
National Research Development Corporation
- Hartog, JM A.3/3
- Zvegintzov, M A.3/3
Nemmarino, E A.5
New Zealand
- Holmes, GA, Agricultural Liaison Officer A.3/5
- Wallaceville Animal Research Station Cunningham, IJ, Superintendent A.3/5
Ormerod, CJ A.3/5
OSRD Office, American Embassy, Johnson, John R A.2
Owen, GA, Ministry of Supply A.4
Owen, LN A.3/1, A.3/3, A.3/5
Paluch, E, State Institute of Hygiene, Poland A.3/5
Parkes, GD A.5
Parkinson, Marshall, Production Planning Office, Boots Pure Drug Co A.2
Perales, N A.3/3
Peters ADK, Royal Ordnance Factory A.3/3
Phillips, JWC, Superintendent, Ministry of Supply Research Establishment A.3/1
Pimazzoni, D A.5
Poland, Paluch, E, State Institute of Hygiene A.3/5
Poole, LT B.1, B.2
Popjack, H, Subeditor, British Medical Bulletin, A.4
Porton Experimental Station
- Cameron, GR A.3/4
- Chief Superintendant A.2
- Eason, EF A.1/4
- Gaddum, JR A.2
- Harrison, K A.1/2, A.2, A.3/4
Pratt, JD B.1
Prosser Thomas, EW A.4
Quebec, Gilbert, HH, Medical Superintendent A.3/5
Radcliffe, W A.3/5
Randall, WMS, Ministry of Supply A.1/1, A.1/2, A.2
Reeve, JL A.3/5
Rheumatism Research Unit of the South West and Oxford Regions, Chandler, Joy S A.3/3
Rimington, C A.3/5
Ritchie-Russell, W A.5
Rittey, DAW A.3/2, A.3/3
Robinson, R, Chief Chemist, International Paint and Compositions Co Ltd A.3/5
Rothery, Mr, Inspectorate of Medical Supplies, Ministry of Supply A.2
Royal Ordnance Factory, Peters ADK A.3/3
Royal Society, Salisbury, E A.4
St John d'el Rey Mining Co Ltd,
- Herbert Haarer Assistant Secretary A.3/1
- Managing Director A.3/1
Salisbury, E, Royal Society A.4
Savage, OA for Copeman, WSC A.3/5
Short, EI, Ministry of Supply A.1/2, A.1/3
Smith, KL, Boots Pure Drug Co A.1/5
Society of Cosmetic Chemists of Great Britain, Wells, FV A.5
South Africa, Office of the Secretary of Health
- Blair, DM A.3/2
- Morris, RM A.3/3
Southern Rhodesia, Dept of Health
- Blair DM A.3/2, A.3/3
- Morris, RM A.3/3
Spray, GH A.4
Stewart, I, Animal Diseases Research Association A.3/5
Stocken, LA A.1/5, A.2, A.3/1, A.3/2
Storey, I A.4
Strangeways Research Laboratory, Heath, JC A.3/3
Stuart, AM A.4
Sutcliffe, Speakman and Co Ltd, Engineers, Middlehurst, WH for A.2
Tahourdin, PA, British Council, Rome A.3/3, A.5
Taylor, JA A.3/5
Thelwall Jones, A, Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd A.3/2, A.3/5
Thompson, JLS, Secretary to Dr Herrald, Medical Research Council A.3/1, A.3/5
Thompson, RHS A.1/5, A.2, A.3/1, A.3/2, A.3/3, A.3/5, A.5
Thomson, WAR, Boots Pure Drug Co A.3/3
Tomick, EG, Glaxo Laboratories A.3/2
Tooke, E pp McFarlan, AM B.2
Thruston, MN, Jealott's Hill Research Station A.3/5
Uffelmann, FR, Ministry of Supply A.1/2, A.1/4, A.1/5, A.2, A.3/1, A.3/4, A.3/5, A.4
USA National Defence Research Committee, Kirner, W R, A.1/1,A.2
van der Horst, L A.3/5
Wallaceville Animal Research Station, New Zealand, Cunningham, IJ, Superintendent A.3/5
War Office, McKenna, R B.2
Weatherhead, M A.5
Wellcome Research Institution, Kellaway, CH A.3/1
Wells, FV, Society of Cosmetic Chemists of Great Britain A.5
Wheeler, CR, Ministry of Supply A.1/1, A.2
Whittaker, JD, Medical Research Council A.4
Williams, DI A.3/5, B.1, B.2
Williams, JRF, Boots Pure Drug Co A.3/3
Wilson, G A.3/4
Williams, LTD, Chemical Research Defence Dept, Ministry of Supply A.1/1, A.2
Woodward, FN, Ministry of Supply A.1/5
Wormall, A A.4
Young, FG A.3/1
Zvegintzov, M, National Research Development Corporation A.3/3