438 



DOMESTIC ECONOMY. 



[GnAp. IV. 



492. PoisonSi — There are numerous poisons lurking unsuspected about 

 many dwellings that tend to produce sickness. Among other poisons, we 

 enumerate — 



Oxalic acid used in solution tor cleaning brass and removing stains from 

 linen, is a vii-ulent poison. Lime forms an insoluble compound with it, and 

 proves the best antidote wlicn it has been taken into the stomach. 



Among vegetable poisons wc find the mountain laurel {Kalmia latifolia), 

 and the dwarf or sheep laurel {K. augustifol'ia). These not only are eaten 

 by animals, but the leaves are mistaken by children for wintergreen, and 

 we have known serious cases of poisoning to result. 



Poison sumach {Rhus venenata) and poison vine or poison ivy (7?. toxico- 

 dendron) produce excessive irritation of the skin, and even blistering from 

 contact with most persons, and some are so sensitive that the odor only of 

 the first or its smoke in burning produces most painful results. The wild or 

 poison parsnep has a similar etiect upon some persons, and some very del- 

 icate skins are afl:"ected by the garden parsnep. The eflect is hightcned 

 when the leaves are covered with dew ; when dried, they may be handled 

 witli safety. 



Water hemlock {Cicuta maculata) is a virulent poison. From the form 

 of its inflorescence and the aromatic odor of its seed and root, it is some- 

 times mistaken for sweet cicely {Jft/rr/iis odorcUa) by children. Pains 

 should be taken to extirpate it wherever found, as also to prevent the spread 

 of a similar plant, a foreigner, poison hemlock {Conium maculatum). 



Among poisonous garden flowers we have the larkspur, monkshood, and 

 foxglove. 



Opium, tlie jiroduct of the poppy, in some form, either as laudanum or 

 elixir, is a very frequent means of poisoning. These medicines are too pow- 

 erful to be trusted in ignorant hands, as the yearly record of fatal accidents 

 sadly attests. 



The green color on wall paper and on cards attached to various dry 

 goods, often contains arsenic, a single square inch having enough to destroy 

 a child. Green wall paper is unfit fVir use, especially for sleeping-rooms. 

 The exhalation from such walls has been known to sicken tlie occupants. 



[The frequent use of poisonous colors upon candy or children's ijlaythings 

 indicates the need of the utmost caution on the part of parents. The red, 

 green, yellow, and blue colors may all be harmless, but fatal cases of poi- 

 soning and the examination of chemists prove that the grossest ignorance or 

 the deepest depravity prevails M'ith some makers and venders. 



Copper in all its forms is poisonous. Acid or greasy food allowed to stand 

 in copjjer or brass vessels, readily corrodes them, and proves their unfitness 

 for such uses. The metallic or brassy taste of the articles usually affords 

 reasonable warning. 



Common black writing-ink, made of nutgalls and iron, is not poisonous, 

 but the blue ink has a diifereut composition, and is so in a greater or less 

 degree. Indelible ink and also hair-dyes having nitrate of silver as tlie es- 



