J^atural History . 497 



The most singular results which the committee have obtained relate 

 to the innocuous nature of the exhalations arisingfrom the putrefying 

 matter; everybody examined agreed that they were offensive and 

 disgusting, but no one that they were unwholesome j on the con- 

 trary, they appeared to conduce to health. All the men, women, 

 and children concerned in the works of this kind had unvarying 

 health, and were remarkably well in appearance, and strong in body. 

 The workmen commonly attained an old age, and were generally 

 free from the usual inhrmities which accompany it. Sixty, seventy, 

 and even eighty, were common ages. Persons who live close to 

 the places, or go there daily, share these advantages with the work- 

 men. During the time that an epidemic fever was in full force 

 at two neighbouring places, not one of the workmen in the esta- 

 blishment at Montfaucon was affected by it. It did not appear 

 that it was only the men who were habituated to the works that 

 were thus favoured : for when, from press of business, new work- 

 men were taken on, they did not suffer in health from the exhala- 

 tions. 



In confirmation of the above observations similar cases are 

 quoted : above 200 exhumations are made yearly at Paris, about 

 three or four months after death j not a single case of injury to the 

 workmen has been observed. M. Labarraque has observed, that 

 the catgut makers, who live in a continually putrid atmosphere, 

 arising from macerating intestines, enjoy remarkable health. 

 Similar circumstances were remarked at the exhumations of the 

 Cimetiere des Innocens. 



Whatever disease the horse may have died of, or been killed 

 for, the workmen have no fear, adopt no precautions, and run 

 no risk. Sometimes, when strangers are present, they pretend to 

 be careful, but, upon close inquiry, laugh at such notions. They 

 handle diseased as well as healthy parts always vnth impunity. 

 They frequently cut themselves, but the wounds heal with the 

 greatest facility, and their best remedy is to put a slice of the flesh 

 about the wound. 



On making inquiry of those to whom the horse-skins were sent, 

 and who, besides, having to handle them when very putrescent, 

 were more exposed to effects from diseases in the skin, they learnt 

 that these men, also, from experience, had no fear, and never suf- 

 fered injury. Horse-skins never occasioned injury to those who 

 worked them, but in this they differed from the skins of oxen, 

 cows, and especially sheep, which sometimes did occasion injury, 

 though not so often as usually supposed. — EecueU Industriel, 

 V. 55. i 



3. Detection of Blood. — A difference of opinion has taken place 

 lately in Paris, relative to the efficacy of certain chemical means 

 of ascertaining whether dried spots or stains of matter suspected 

 to be blood, are or were blood, or not. M. Orfila gives various 



APRIL— JUNK, 1828. -2 K 



