Document kmOnnmJk39OB3Ez4zvmwybn5V

Copy to Hr. Graham Edgar April la* 193k Mr. H. U. Harwood McGill Universlty Montreal Canada Dear Mr# Harwoods 1 am naturally quite sympathetic with your interest in the production of central nervous system lesions by the administration of lead compounds, w have been making some observations of this type on experimental animals but wo do not have any very definite or specific findings to report. I think2 however# I should acquaint you with ay skepticism concerning the essential similarity of lesions which may b produced by tetraethyl lead ad compared with those which af ght bo produced by inorganic lead cosr.'pnnds# Our chemical observations Indicate that the distribution of lead In the brain tissues is somewhat different in the two instances# With this background of information# X should regard it as doubtful whether -lesions produced by tetraethyl lead could be- regarded as characteristic of lead Compounds in general, .Uowcveft that is a mere detail and the production., of specifia' lea * ons In any instance would be a matter of considerable importance* Unfortunately X aa not in position to supply you with tetraethyl load X have only a very small amount of the pure tetraethyl lead which was supplied to me by the Research Laboratory- of the Ethyl pascl!no Corporation# Moreover#. If 'I. did.have. the- material on hand* I would have some considerable, reservation about supplying It to you without first obtaining the consent of the officials of the Ethyl Gasoline, Corporation#. since they have adoptedthe policy that the release of tetraethyl lead to investi gators must be in every instance carried out by the designated representative of the Corporation. Accordingly I am referring your latter to Dr# Graham Edgar* Director of Research of the Corporation with the recommendation that the material you request be supplied, if it is possible. On the assumption that you will probably receive some small mippXy of tetraethyl lead, I wish to point out the quit considerable danger of handling even small amounts of tetraethyl lead. The compound obviously can be handled with safety by experimental workers but it will not brook any careless handling. It la necessary that precautions be taken R* U, Karoood work with anlia&Ia should bo carried out- In a hood with strong forced ventilation, I have no doubt :/ou understand the precautions necessary but as an. additional precautionary measure, 1 feel called upon to at*?eaa ;tli# Ipt'apver 1:" glad: td glvs^ypu any further' information. sfileh I have which mifchfc be of assistance to 70u Cordially yours, RAKjIS- ^ 0015529