PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS IN GILDING. 133 



effects in the nose from the hydrogen of the batteries, where there 

 were no cyanide solutions). Then follows a general languor of 

 body ; disinclination to take food, and a want of relish. After being 

 in this state for some time, there follows a benumbing sensation in 

 the head, with pains, not acute, shooting along the brow ; the head 

 feels as a heavy mass without any individuality in its operations. 

 Then there is bleeding at the nose in the mornings when newly out 

 of bed ; after that comes giddiness ; objects are seen flitting before 

 the eyes, and momentary feelings as of the earth lifting up, and 

 then leaving the feet, so as to cause a stagger. This is accom- 

 panied with feelings of terror, gloomy apprehension, and irritability 

 of temper. Then follows a rushing of blood to the head ; the rush 

 is felt behind the ears with a kind of hissing noise, causing severe 

 pain and blindness : this passes off in a few seconds, leaving a gid- 

 diness which lasts for several minutes. In our own case, the 

 rushing of blood was without pain, but attended with instant blind- 

 ness, and then followed with giddiness. For months afterwards a 

 dimness remained as if a mist intervened between us and the 

 objects looked at : it was always worse towards evening, when we 

 grew very languid and inclined to sleep. We rose comparatively 

 well in the morning ; yet were restless, our stomach was acid, visage 

 pale, features sharp, eyes sunk in the head, and round them dark in 

 colour : these effects were slowly developed. Our experience was 

 nearly three years. 



We have been thus particular in detailing these effects, as a warn- 

 ing to all employed in the process ; but we have no doubt that in 

 lofty rooms, airy and well ventilated, these effects would not be felt. 

 Employers would do well to look to this matter ; and amateurs, 

 who only use a small solution in a tumbler, should not, as the cus- 

 tom sometimes is, keep it in their bed-rooms : the practice is decid- 

 edly dangerous. 



Practical Suggestions in Gilding. According to the amount of 

 gold deposited, so will be its durability : a few grains will serve to 

 give a gold colour to a very large surface, but it will not last : this 

 proves, however, that the process may be used for the most inferior 

 quality of gilding. Gold thinly laid upon silver will be of a light 

 colour, because of the property of gold to transmit light. The solu- 

 tion for gilding silver should be made very hot, but for copper it 

 should be at its minimum heat. A mere blush may be sufficient 

 for articles not subjected to wear; but on watch-cases, pencil-cases, 

 chains, and the like, a good coating should be given. An ordinary 

 sized watch case should have from 20 grains to a pennyweight ; a 

 mere colouring will be sufficient for the inside, but the outside 

 should have as much as possible. A watch-case, thus gilt, for 



