Document r6xxgg9JY72yJ4QrVRq7ozVVv

October 14,1926* Mr* 3* Webb, ' The Ethyl Gasoline Corporation, 25 Broadway, Hew York, 1J.Y* ly dear Hr* W e b b : X thank you very much for your letter of October 7th concerning the organisation o f 'our medical work for the coming year* I, too, have given considerable thought to this matteri and, without at this time opposing your suggestions, I should like to give you my point of view as to just what we m y expect to do in a medical way* - The supervision of our equipment throughout the field of distri bution has so reduced the dangers of"handling Ethyl Fluid, bar ring unforeseen accident, that I have come to the conclusion^ that we can gradually reduce the frequency of- visits to all point which have installed what we feel at the present time to be an ideal set-up* Our problem at any one point is to make a first examination and proper selection of tmn for doing the work, and to go instruct these men as to give them an abiding impression of the necessity for care* hen we have done this, and when we have in stalled the proper equipment, we have done away with the possibility of acute poisoning and the llklihood of chronic poisoning over a period of years* It may please you to know that X think that the dangers at any such point are exceedingly small, and that there is less llklihood of a development of even a chronic type of lead poi soning under these conditions, than is to be found in most of thef lead industries# Under these conditions it will b necessary for us to call around frequent enough to see that the precautions which have been established are not relaxed* The medical examinations aro important but become more in the nature of an experimental problem* For these reasons I feel that after w have once assured ourselves that things are as they should be, quarterly examinations will be sufficient, and I am inclined to believe that in the course of one years time examinations need, not be made more frequently than twice yearly* You will see, therefore, that 1 am planning a diminishing amount of work for our Medical /Department, and with this there will be a diminishing expenditure and time consumption in travelling, and more time for investigation and Htrouble-shooting"* I wonder if this picture will not alter somewhat your feeling as to the necessi ty for local medical representatives* There are certain diplomatic Questions ih connection with working at refineries whleh it is well to consid8r * say not be unsur- stElOOO 3 H M r* ,B* \ " * Webb ` X . .1 . ... - . 1 ` \ ' 1" 1 :.q. \ Se p t e m b e r 1 4 ,1 9 2 6 \X ' N Page 4 2 AN - X -. . ; mountable difficulties 'out I present them for Wimt they are X \ s\ . worth, /it most of the points \where sen are e m p i r e s there Is '' , already a refinery physician, or a contract physician In the : , town who is called, upon to take, care- of cases f o r :the'refinery# These men are frequently able men, sometimes they are sat very able or very careful, in any! case, however, t h e refihery^anage- ment and these physicians hat a distinct'apprehension.to qal* ling in outside men* . They- hsfve^ accepted our medical,dicltfitbi^hip so no speak in a very courteous and cooperative'spirit, because, whether justly or n o t , they,have a:,-point1 of.?.view-that, w e ur.\-more^,;. or less, experts- and specialists in this line*- `f h e . m r e f^&t that wo come. from, some distance tends to support, this feeling of"theirs* I question whether they will-have, the same feeling,, and -will..give the same cooperation to, local men,. It. seems to me*, therefore,. ' we should as far as possible make use of the refinery, physiefiank, being'tactful not.to give them the impression that our Medical.Staff is attempting to get out from^under responsibilities, but Is Prather.,. asking, them for more assistance* 1 think th a t 'they will*,give thi#'v assistance freely, and that we can in proper places work with hes^\ men very satisfactorily*. ' hcrever a new point is opened up, 1 think that one of m y assis-'- . fcants. should make the initial inspection and examinations and W \ should repeat his visits once or twice in order to make sure, that 'X \ everything is properly arranged and that the men are properly ap~ v prcciativo of the possible dangers of their work* After that I . think we should put as m u c h of the woxds in the hands- of the ref in- ery medical staff as seems advisable in the specific case, and' that wo should visit these points only as frequently as is necessary to make 3ure that they continue to .maintain proper safeguards.* Under these conditions oven if the number of the points is doubled within a year we shall be able to take care of them without further addi tion to our Medical staff, and at a diminished rather than a n ,in* creased expense* In addition to this I shall be able with my,pre- sent m&dieal assistance to properly carry out the annual investiga** tion, ahd to do it with fair rapidity* 1 should prefer doing.the. thing in this way" rather than to Imv official representatives scattered around at different points la the country* ,. ' \ i : I? ^ K 0001346 I appreciate that the present arrangement is expensive and time consuming, and in that connection I should like to ask whether it is your feeling that the medical expenses!, salaries and travel ing expenses .exceed what you would consider a fair allottment for that work* in other words is the overhead expense attributable to medical work too high if jtfc stays at its present figure* I ask this entirely for Information because the present arrangement if it can be carried out gives an opportunity for experimental obsorvation and for a. rather high quality Of industrial medical work which is quite unique and in which I am very proud to have a part* hr, iebb October 14*1926 Page # 3 The above program which I have outlined has all of the appear ance of being quite in opposition to the one Milch you suggested. I do not intent it in that way# I intend it to be rather the plan which has evolved in ray mind going in the direction o f the same thing which you have worked but in a different fashion# I present it not at till as an argument, against your plan* but rather as the basis of a discussion, Milch X should like to have with you when I am in JJew'York next week* I am planning a trip/, to V/ashingfcon on the 18th to discuss our investigation w i t h Doctor Leake* and am expecting to bo in Hew York the following day* I should appreciate very much the opportunity^of duscussihg this entire matter with you a n d will consider the abo v e .when-taken with your letter as a basis for e scusslon*- I trust that you M i l be orenared to die;cuss with me he matter of what expenditures would seem ;o 03 advisable for medical work in order that we may work out togethe/ r a program which will bo properly limited in that re- sppet* and will fulfill the needs of the situation* ' with kindest regards* Very truly yours* -Ynii:OJ 0001347