Document 8V9Vd17X3v7nYNLBdoyqXwdqB

" January 2k, 1939 / Dr*. Paul 3, Newcomb Defiance Ohio ` My dear Pauli- -' Thanks very muchfor your* letter* of January 1st and the report from Dr Waggoner, Unfortunately this report and your own comments do not give me much help In ' the matter of arriving at a diagnosis of lead poisoning. Polyneuritis due to lead,, at the time it first appears, is an acute intossicati on, and in iay experience it is always accompanied definite signs' of abnormal lead, absorption* A t the time of onset, in my experience, there are always other symptoms of intoxication and there are always blood changes. The absence of these and th absence of any mention of them either on your part or by Dr, Waggoner is, in my opinion, in and of itself, almost conclusive evidence that the condition was not due to lead, Xn any case, one fepuld not be Justified in making a diagnosis of lead intoxication without find ing certain very definite.evidences of abnormal lead absorption, and I talcs it that neither you nor Bp* Uaggoer found such evidence* The diagnosis of lead poisoning would rest, therefore', on a vague and indefinite history of lead exposure*. Dr. Waggonerls statement that exposure to leaded gasoline sometimes produces lead poisoning Is untrue, so fr as I know, On the oontrary, the type of lead exposure indicated in this man*s history lias never in my experience of fifteen years, been demonstrated to have produced a single case of lead intoxication. Moreover we. have studied this type of exposure in terms of the lead excretion of a large number of the most seriously exposed filling station workmen and garage mechanics, and we have never been able to obtain the slightest evidence that there is any significant lead absorption associated with these activities. As a consequence of these fact5 it would not be possible for me to arrive at the conclusion that this man had ever had any significant exposure to l e a d compounds unless I was presented with indubitable evidence that he had absorbed lead in some fashion .froms-some- source. In the absence of such Information* I can not bring myself to conclude that lead iras a factor In hie illness. Thanhs very much for your Information. hope you will live up to your promise to come In and see ms hen you com to Cincinnati the next time* I would like very much to show you around and to show you some of the things we are doing. I am With kindest personal regards, Sincerely yours> HAM a Hober'^&*":"kehoe, S. b. #1?. 0011890 .1 r Mi