Research

Scope and Content Note

This series contains correspondence and memoranda between staff relating to the department's efforts to prevent its hospital personnel from being drafted by classifying them as essential to operations.

Also found are records detailing the department's work screening recruits for the Selective Service, which was part of its task in promoting mental health. These records discuss policy considerations such as confidentiality and screening criteria including serious delinquency, perverted sexuality, and a family history of serious mental conditions. The inability of certain institutions to safeguard confidential information is also frankly discussed.