Document pp2YEBR7v0XJ1qO0rpb0eqy56

January 22, 1931 Mr* Vto. H. Holliday, Pres. Standard Oil Co. of Ohio, Cleveland, Ohio. My dear Mr. Holliday: I am writing to you in reference to the case of one of your employees, Mr. of Akron Ohio, who has been suffering for the past six months or such a matter with a paralysis of the right hand and forearm. I am taking the matter directly to you for the reason that I have been inform ed that you have already interested yourself in the case and know something of it. There is a further reason for writing you in that a matter of policy is involved which it seems to me will doxibtless be brought to your eventual attention in . any case. X examined Mr. early in October. At that time I was not able to arrive at a certain diagnosis. I suspected that it was not a simple peripheral neuritis, and thought ser iously of the possibility of its being poliomyelitis though it was not an entirely typical case of the latter. I felt that it was necessary to follow the progress of the case, as the diagnosis would be determined somewhat by the extent and speed of recovery. This past week my associate, Dr. Machle, saw and examined Mr. again. His conclusions, in which I concur, are that the thing is of the type of periph eral neuritis, probably not infectious in origin, presumably toxic. This conclusion arises largely from the fact that re covery is taking place at a fairly rapid rate. It is distinct ly more rapid than would be expected in the case of poliomyeli tis. The cause of such a neuritis is difficult to determine. In my opinion the absorption of lead had nothing to do with the condition. This conclusion is based on the fact that his exposure was meagre, if present at all; that his blood findings do not indicate lead intoxication; and that his excretion of lead approximately a month after the onset of this neuritis . was not of such a sort as would be expected in the case of " lead absorption. On the other hand, this type of neuritis occurs as the result of a variety of intoxications, and it would be difficult to say with certainty that it was not lead. The subject had a fair amount of intestinal disturbances pri or to his paralysis, and his occupation involved some exposure to gasoline. If presented therefore, as an industrial condi tion, it would be a difficult matter to rule out for medical legal purposes the possibility of gasoline intoxication or lead Intoxication. usto* H. Holliday, pago 2 1-22-31 It occurs to me that with these possibilities In mind and with a definite feeling on the part of Mrs. that the condition Is lead poisoning, that some action should be taken in this case by way of speedy compensation. If the family chose to bring suit or if, as may happen, they receive the advice of some attorney who feels that they have not had a square deal, to bring suit, it would be an exceedingly em barrassing matter to your company. On the other hand, in view of the reasonable doubt which exists in the case, it would be kind and it would also be politic to take such action as would give both and his mother to feel that they were being dealt with fairly and In a straightforward manner. Under the present circumstances of Mr. re~ covery such an action would not involve any acceptance of liability for serious injury for within a few months time there will be little evidence of injury remaining, and there will therefore be no question of permanent disability. I do not mean to put the matter on too diplomatic basis. I should rather put It on a purely medical and humane one. This has been a very great misfortune for through no obvious fault of his own, and there is somequestTon in the matter as co whether the injury has a relation to his occupation. I personally always feel that the employee should be given the benefit of m y doubt that exists. I merely point out further more that In my opinion it seems a wise thing to do, merely because I recognize that certain legal questions do and must ari 3e I do not know what the situation of your employees is as regards compensation, nor do I presume to Intrude into the affairs of your company in this mpt,,ter. I write thus simply because I think it would be highlyvadvantageous to have a case of this sort brought into the open^as an influence to lay opinion at a time when we are about to find it possible to arrive at fair conclusions on questions involving the dangers of Ethyl Gasoline by straightforward experimental methods. Very truly yours, RAK:EJ KF 0003586