During the early winter of 1943 a series of cases was seen that presented syndromes of emotional disturbance, varying from acute excitement and confusion to depressive traits such as hypochondriasis, vague fears and insomnia. Hallucination, delusions, or ideas of reference, appeared in all. The patients concerned, six in number, were Indian males, all between 20 and 40 years of age, and were referred to the psychiatric section of the combined general hospital at Basra between October and December, 1943. They had a common background, inasmuch as they had all been away from India with their units for a year or more, and were members of military units working in S. Persia, closely in contact with petrol, either as can fillers or can stackers in enclosed spaces. The hours of work were long, and the men were kept at this work for extended periods. It was, at the time, essential to maintain heavy deliveries of petrol, and the men concerned were at work in high natural temperatures with only little consideration being given for possible ill effects from the freely evaporating petrol.