Document MMgK04geVmkza9dr25BByr03L

Hovember 12*1926. rlr* ''# J* Patterson, gjr* * Atlantic Refining Company* Chamber of Commerce Bldg** Pittsburgh, Pa* My dear Mr* Patterson* _I-a2^viting you concerning your former employee, Mr# _______ who is now in-the Cannonsburg Hospital under 10 care of Doctor John A. Johnston* # In view of the importance of- this case and its relation ship to the industrial and public health hazards of Ethyl gasoline, I wisfh. to make sure that the relationships exist-;'.' ing between this man and his physicians be maintained in the most cooperative spirit. As I told you In conversation in your office some :days ago I do not believe that the pre sent condition Is due to his handling of Ethyl Gasoline* ^ov/aver, if it should turn out to be impossible to make a certain diagnosis of some other condition, the portion of evidence and medical opinion will in all probability tend to a diagnosis of load poisoning* It behooves you, there fore, and all of us who have any coimeetionprlth the mat ter* to maintain on open mind and a willingness to do what ever is good, and proper for the. welfare of this man* In this connection it is-exceedingly important that no ob struction of any kind be put In' the way of the routine machinery of State compensation, and that no feeling of any unwllliingness to take care of the financial end of his medi cal. care be expressed* I am sure that in the even^.of a diagnosis of lead poison ing corapfpiy will be glad to do what you can for - Inly wish to ask you specifically in the absence of conclusive evidence one way or the other to be exceedingly careful not to place yourself or your company in the embarrassing position of refusing assistance because of your doubt as to the cause of his trouble* Meanwhile I should be glad to lend every effort to dis- : cover exactly what is the cause of this illness and what ever v:e discover will be reported to you in*due time, with such advice and suggestions as it is possible for us to make* I wish to thank you for your courtesy and for the opportunity of visiting and- inspecting quite a number of your filling sta tions# In this connection I may later have some suggestions to make as to some of your filling equipment* I did" suggest to Mr* Lane that a rather careful check be mad on any seepage I # W*Patterson Page # 2 November 12,1926# of gasoline over the stuffing boxes and n o z z l e s .Gown . over tho hose and all such lines as carry Ethyl gasoline, in order that there may be no occasion for the frequent and continual wetting of the hands of the.operator* la the main, however, there is very little criticism to be offered about your filling station.equipment,.and after examining it I was all the more convinced of the insignl** fleant exposure to lead occasioned in the handling of Ethyl Gasoline as you handle it# , .. Very truly yours, OJ 0010958