Document ByQyVrX4a65MKxQmR6XDN5xwj

THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY SCH OOL OF H YG I EN E A N D PU BL I C H EA L T H 616 NORTH WOLFE STREET BALTIMORE--6 MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF PHYSIOLOGICAL HYGIENE June 15, 1949 Dr. Robert Kehoe . Kettering Laboratory College of Iledicine university of Cincinnati ' Cincinnati 19, Ohio _ - Dr. Dr. Kehoe: The Iviedical Department has a case of severe porphyrinuria . (uroporphyrins) in the hospital at present about which they v.'ould like your opinion. The man has worked for the past four . years at a gasoline service station where he handled tetraethyl lead and batteries. Previous -to-this he had worked at the ianerican melting and Refining Company. While at the latter company he had his first attack of illness ana during the past four years he has had other attacks. The patient is not mentally clear but the doctor believes the attacks may be similar to his present illness, fie came to our hospital through the Psychiatric Clinic to which he was referred because of the CIS symptoms.. Here they-suspected that he was suffering from porphyrinuria- and" transferred him to the medical ward. In addition to the CNS symptoms including mental changes coma, he also has hypertension, abdominal pain and vomiting,.loss of reflexes and sensory changes. The urine turns to a deep red color, the change being quite rapid in the sun. .. The doctor in charge of the case would like to know if you think this could be related to the tetraethyl lead which' he has been dispensing at the gas station. Ko stippled cells have been found and the blood lead determination has not yet been received. The only reason for suspecting that lead might be a factor is that increased porphyrins have been reported in cases of lead poisoning. . . The doctor asked me to write to you to see if you thought the man's occupation might be related to his condition. Thanks for any help you can give us . Sincerely yours, yiP'-Li *r6bTvr Anna H. Eaetjer, Sc. D. Assistant Professor Physiol.ogical Hygiene