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Here's an idle thought for Wendy Tebay, the environment detective: Have you any data or anecdotes about childhood subjection to ether as anesthetic? I recall as a little kid, like millions of others, I had tonsils out and ether was used. Made me sick afterward, and for many years the slightest whiff of ether, alcohol, or anything related would make me sick again. I used to dread auto trips because in those days alcohol was commonly used as antifreeze and I could smell it. As an adult, I have used ether as a solvent with no ill effect, and as for alcohol, I often enjoy drinking it. Ether continued in use as anesthetic for several decades, don't know about now. If there is a connection between this childhood exposure and PD 60 or 70 years later, it sets a new record for prolonged latency, but with PD nothing is too strange to consider. J. R. Bruman (818) 789-3694 3527 Cody Road Sherman Oaks, CA 91403