[ 356 i 



are found no lefs deftruftivc to domeflick animals, 

 fuch as dogs, cats, fowls, &c. nay, even vegetables 

 in its neighbourhood foon lofe their verdure; 

 nor can plants thrive in pots compofed of this 

 metal., Its various preparations, as litharge, red 

 and white lead, are all poifonous, and their activity 

 is increafed by their union with acids. Lead un- 

 fortunately being thus liable to be corroded, or 

 even diflfolved, by almoft every fpecies of acid, the 

 dangerous confequences are proportionably in- 

 creafed. For it not only unites with the ftronger 

 mineral acids, but alfo with thofe of the weaker 

 vegetable kind, as that of wine, beer, cyder, vinegar, 

 verjuice, &c. to which it imparts a manifefl fweet- 

 nefs, forming a fait termed fugar of lead. Hence 

 the foundation of that mod dangerous abufe of 

 corre6ling acid wines and cyder with litharge, or 

 other preparations of this metal. Lead alfo unites 

 with exprefTed oils, and other unduous bodies, as 

 butter, fuet, lard, &c. 



Hence in Holland it has been cuftomary to 

 correal the more offenfive exprefTed oils, fo as to 

 fubftitute them for oil of olives, or almonds, by 

 impregnating them with lead. — Another horrible 

 abufe, and which merits the moft exemplary pu- 

 nifhmentl Deliberately thus to adulterate the com- 

 mon articles of life with a flow poifon, and wantonly 



to 



