Document MMjjd8OkwwyKdnJdQjr358KLk

fcr- is ic s 0. .1, p May. 11, 1933 Dr*.Prank R Morton Director of Medical Dept. Standard Oil Company 910 South Michigan Avenue Chicago* Illinois Re i Dear Dr. Morton; I have gone over 1 of one of your employees. examination From the report I take It that the diagnosis of encephalitis is probably correct. However, this Is not a help since the question at once arises as to what was the cause of his encephalitis. You are undoubtedly aware that most of the cases of tetraethyl lead poisoning have had cerebral symptoms. It is also generally accepted, whether correctly or not, that the sequela of lead en cephalopathy may resemble a sequelae of infectious en cephalitis, In fact, I have known two cases following significant lead exposure In which the Parkinson's syndrome was the most striking part of the clinical picture. Thus It Is impossible to say from the record that this was not a case of lead poisoning. The question of diagnosis now Is obviously difficult. It has been shown experimentally that the lead findings disappear even In eases of serious exposure after a period of a year to eighteen months. Thus negative lead findings on this man at the present Including such things as blood changes, lead line and lead in the excreta have ho slgnlfi^ canoe whatever either positively or negatively. You are, therefore, In the situation of having to make a diagnosis from the history only. The question remains, therefore, did this man have a significant exposure to lead. If he did have such significant exposure. It would be difficult. If not Impossible, to combat a claim for compensation or suit. In fact, such a think could not be done In good conscience and wit|i a reasonable consideration for justice unless there are things in the clinical picture which justify the diagnosis of infectious encephalitis rather than lead Injury, Pjrom what you tell me In your letter, I would assume that this man has had a significant exposure. That may or may not be the case, but In the second paragraph of the examination It is stated that he mixed Ethyl Fluid with gasoline by draining It from a barrel into a vessel, and 2 pouring it Into a tank of gasoline. If this was done without due precautions, he most undoxibtedly had sig nificant exposure to tetraethyl lead and may have de veloped an acute lead encephalopathy. Your only recourse In obtaining the facts in this case is to carefully establish the nature of his exposure to tetraethyl lead. If it can be proven that his exposure to load was in significant, his present condition can be explained on another basis. However, as you are aware. It Is just the type of exposisre ?fhlch Is described In this history which I have attempted to completely eradicate from the Ethyl Gasoline mixing operations, I have not done it for theoretical reasons but rather because I know It Is dan gerous* Therefore, It is my opinion that unless you can demonstrate that this man did not have the exposure de scribed in the history, it will be impossible to make an adequate defence against his claim. Very truly yours. RAKsIS 0017477