Document GKbVXyM0DVVv8kgOOwgy61qp7

Dr. Robert A. Kehoe College of Medicine University, of Cincinnati Cincinnati, Ohio Dear Dr. Kehoer Mr. A. H. Cook, Industrial Relations Depart ment, Tide Water Associated Oil Company, New York City, forwarded the letter you wrote him on May 18, 1937. was referred to me for physical examination on May 11, 1937. I am enclosing a copy of the report made to Mr. F. D; Frost following my examina tion. I had conversation with Mr. Frost, at which time I informed him that it was my opinion that the con centration of tetra ethyl lead in Tydol gas was not suf ficient to result in sufficient absorption of lead to cause intoxicating symptoms by absorption through the skin. I pointed out to him also that gasoline itself might cause or aggravate an existing dermatitis but was in no way related to the tetra ethyl lead contact of the gasoline . The reason for the request for your considera tion is the report submitted by Dr. E. Van Brunt Ferguson, Baldwin, New York, as noted in the third paragraph of the enclosed report. In view of Dr. Ferguson1s diagnosis of lead intoxication, it seems important from a Company stand point that this diagnosis either be confirmed or disproved. s. ' Enel. '' fg ooliti N8326 May 12, 1937 REr Leo McNulty, Age 21 Mr. F. L. Frost Tide Water Oil Company 17 Battery Place New York City Dear Mr. Frost* M r ^ H H j H ^ reported to Bayonne for physical exami nation on May . The patient stated that he began employment in the Metropolitan District of the Sales Corporation on December 2, 1936; that his work consisted largely of cleaning pumps with gas and painting pumps; that he averaged about four pumps a day; that in the cleaning process regular Tydol gas was used on waste or rags, which was applied without gloves or other hand protection. He further stated that about two weeks after beginning this work a dermatitis of both hands appeared, becoming moderately severe and persisting up to about one week ago when he stopped work. He stated that about two months ago he began to feel weak, becoming excessively tired on slight exertion; that he had a feeling of loss of nower of the upper and the lower extremities; that actually he was able to use his muscles without any definite evi dence of impairment of strength but that he had to exert his will power to overcome the feeling of inertia. He also stated that he suffered from a somewhat dry and irritated throat. He continued at work until May 1st when he was forced to stop. During the past week he consulted with Dr. E. VanBrunt Ferguson, Baldw^^JI^^fork, 'who signed a certification stating in effect that symptoms suggest illness from exposure to ethyl lead gas and advised an early change to some other form of work. M r s t a t e d that Dr. Ferguson told him that he found changes in his blood which strongly indicate lead intoxi cation. Physical Examination; .. Physical examination was essentially negative throughout. The throat showed considerable redness but no membrane was seen. The mucous membrane on the side of the mouth showed small spots of canker sores. Teeth and gums appeared normal. Reflexes were normal throughout. HE 0011438 C O P - Tide Water Oil Co. RE; 2- - May 12, 1937. ' %... i-* Physical Examination; (ContM.) Blood pressure - normal. Heart - normal. Pulse rate - 80 per minute. There was marked redness of the hack of both hands, probably the result of dermatitis, which is now subsiding. Comments; Physical examination failed to reveal any defi nite evidence of lead intoxication. It is possible, however, that such Intoxication may exist without definite evidence f; by such examination as I could make. In view of the symptoms and the findings as recorded by Dr. Ferguson, it would seem expedient to request Mr. McNulty to submit to further intensive study in order to establish a positive diagnosis. I would suggest that you contact Dr. Kehoe of the Ethyl Corporation, who, I am sure, will be very glad to cooperate with you in the matter of further examination. Yours very truly, J. W. Harvey, M.D. S. Kfc 0011439