Addiction to the inhalation of gasoline fumes in a child

Abstract

G AS OLINE inhalation and intoxication is a well-known condition in industry. Workers in rubber and gasoline plants no t inf requent ly suffer f rom inhalation of volatile hydrocarbons. The mental symptoms depend to a great extent upon the acuteness of onset and size of dosage. They probably vary also according to the personali ty pa t tern of the individual. Many instances of naphtha jags in rubber plant workers have been reported wherein the fumes of toxic hydrocarbon solvents are inhaled voluntar i ly to achieve a pleasm'able feeling. The reaction is not always one of hilarity. The victim may show irr i ta t ion and belligerence. Machle 1 reviews the literature in detail and discusses the syruptomatology, the toxicology, and the pathological findings. The volatil i ty of gasoline makes the effect a t ransient one, although repeated inhalation of a high concentration of fumes may cause damage to the central nervous system. I t is difficult to ascertain to what extent lead poisoning occurs following inhalation of the fumes from gasoline t reated with te t rae thyl lead, but difeet contact with this product is known to be a source of lead intoxication. Mention is also made of the fact tha t children are known to inhale gasoline oc-