Document 9J3MqkzmLG35en9v6yLgXBya3
May 20, 1931
Mr. /. V. Hartmann, V. P., Gulf Refining Company, Prick Building Annex, Pittsburg, ?a.
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"Dear Mr. Hartmann:
Your letter of May 8 to Mr. Taylor of the Ethyl Gaso line Corporation enclosing a copy of a letter received from your service station superintendent at Hattiesburg, Mississippi, has been referred to me for reply.
; The condition described in the letter is one which I
do not believe requires investigation by a physician. It Is
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quite clear from the story that there was no possible opportuni
ty for the customer in question to have absorbed any appreciable
quantity of lead as result of his experience. The actual quan
tity of lead contained In the gasoline which might have been
taken into his mouth In blowing out a gasoline line, is of no
consequence. Furthermore tetraethyl lead does not volatilize
out of gasoline in any measurable quantity, therefore it would
have been impossible under the conditions for this Individual
to have been exposed to the fumes of tetraethyl lead. It is
possible that he may have absorbed some gasoline, or that he
may have sv/allowed some, although it would not be a usual exper
ience. Just what produced his symptoms it is difficult to say.
They may have been Imaginary, they may have been the result of
exertion, they may have been produced by a variety of things.
In any case it was utterly impossible that it could have been
a paralysis referable in anyWay whatever to lead absorption.
In general, it is the purpose of myself and my assist ants to Investigate any and all claims of Injury which have arisen as result of the handling or use of Ethyl Gasoline. Occasionally it occurs that a complaint is so bizarre that we cannot from a medical point of view regard'it as worthy of in vestigation. in this particular Instance, unless some situation should arise which would change the picture, I cannot regard this complaint as one which would justify the time and expense which would be required for personal investigation.
If there is any further development In the case I should be obliged if you would inform me.
Very truly yours,
RAKjEJ
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IN TER-OFFICE CORRESPON DEN CE
E t h y l Ga s o l i n e Co r p o r a t i o n
Ch r ys l e r Bu il d in g
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135 Ea s t 42n d S t r e e t
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N E W YORK
May 11, 1931.
Dr. Robert A. Kehoe, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Dear Dr. Kehoe: I am attaching an original letter ust
received from Mr. W. V. Hartmann, Vice-President of
the Gulf Refining Company, and copy of By reply.
We should appreciate your handling this
directly.
D:B
J. C. Ta s l o r
S A L E S M AN AGER
Et h y l . Ga s o l i n e Co r p o r a t i o n
Ch h s l e r Bu i l d i n g 135 E a s i 42*2 St r e e t
IVe w York. Say II, 1951,
Sr, W. V. E&rtssasn, Viee-Prssidoat,
Golf .Refining Company, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Dear Mr, Hartasanaj.
We acknowledge receipt
Ur letter
8th.
We are referring-.
to our Medical
Department with the suggestion
Dr. Xshoe write you
when the complain
Very truly yours,
i
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