132 ELECTRO-GILDING. 



ingt he greatest care ; and those who are so fortunate as to escape 

 for a time absolute disease, are constantly liable to salivation from 

 its effects. Paralysis is common among them, and the average of 

 their lives is very short ; it has been estimated as not exceeding 35 

 years. It is difficult to believe that men could be found to engage 

 in such a business, reckless of the consequences so fearfully exhibited 

 before them ; and it would naturally be thought they would hail 

 with pleasure the introduction of any process which would put a 

 stop to such a dreadful sacrifice of human life. But it is very diffi- 

 cult to overcome interest and prejudice, even when the object to be 

 gained is of such vast importance. 



Effects of Cyanogen on Health. The effects produced upon the 

 health of those who work constantly over cyanide solutions are not 

 yet fully tested, by which we could form a comparison with the old 

 process ; for every new trade, or operation, gives rise to a new 

 disease, or some new forms of an old disease. Having ourselves 

 inhaled much of the fumes of that " ominous " gas given off from 

 the cyanide of potassium solution, we are not prepared to stand 

 its advocate, but would rather warn all employed at the business, or 

 who may in any degree have to do with these solutions, to be very 

 careful not to use too much freedom. The hands of those engaged 

 in gilding or plating are subjected to ulceration, particularly if they 

 have been immersed in the solution. The ulcers are not only an- 

 noying, but painful ; and, on their first appearance, if care is not 

 properly taken to wash them in strong cyanide of potassium, and 

 then in acid water, the operator will, in a short time, have to take 

 a few days' rest. We have repeatedly seen, by the aid of a magni- 

 fying glass, gold and silver reduced in these ulcerations. We 

 have also known of eruptions breaking out over the bodies of 

 workmen after inhaling those deleterious fumes, when they 

 were very bad, as when solutions were precipitated by acids or 

 being evaporated to dryness in a close apartment for the recovery 

 of the metal. Repeatedly have we seen the legs of workmen 

 thus afflicted, and always after they have been exposed to extra 

 fumes. 



The following statement of the general effects of electro-plating 

 and gilding on the health of those engaged in them, as experienced 

 by ourselves and others, may not be uninteresting to our readers : 

 but it is necessary to premise that the apartments in which we were 

 employed were improperly ventilated. 



The gas has a heavy sickening smell, and gives to the mouth a 

 saline taste, and scarcity of saliva; the saliva secreted is frothy. 

 The nose becomes dry and itchy, and small pimples are found 

 within the nostrils, which are very painful (we have- felt these 



