[An atypical case of acute zinc poisoning]

The paper discussed a case of acute zinc intoxication in a 48-year old welder, after four days of cutting zinc-plated pipes with an oxy-acetylene torch, in poorly ventilated places. The zinc fever has been diagnosed on the basis of the symptoms and confirmed by laboratory findings: high zinc blood and erythrocyte concentration and increased urinary excretion of zinc. One year the intoxication the manifestations of the psycho-organic syndrome with predilection to pseudoneurotic reactions were still present. The non-standard factor in this case is the very short time of exposure to zinc oxide and the occurrence of chronic encephalopathy is also singular.