Document 2J3z3pvk3jj9Lv2opBV3g5GE7

i August 22,1927* Mr# J* G* Martin, .1829 West Gtaco St*, - Richmond, Va* . Dear Mr* Martin? I received a letter from the Hew York office of the Ethyl Gasoline Corp., containing your letter concerning an operator at the Harvey System sta tion# Skin irritation and skin infection are very common among workmen in general* They are especial ly common among handlers of petroleum products for a variety of reasons, which have to do with the uncleanly habits of the men and the somewhat irritating character of the products* When such things are seen in the case of a man working with Ethyl Gasoline it is not surprising that some of the results should be attributed to the Ethyl Gasoline* However, there is no reason for believing that the Ethyl Fluid content of the gasoline has anything to do with the condition* We have investigated quite a few such complaints only to find that we were dealing v/ith a common type of ordinary skin infection, which had no rela tion to the occupation* Iff this man is worried he should see a doctor about hl3 ikin condition, preferably a skin special1st* Then if there is any reason for so doing, one of my staff .can investigate the matter* Unless there is some question as to the diagnosis, however, there is no good purpose served by our Intervention* The important thing to remember, in these case?, is that several hundred men under our direct obser vation have handled Ethyl Gasoline in every way over a ' period of almost five jaara, without any evidence of skin injury or other illness* Very truly yours, RA&OB ,