PHOSPHORUS 75 



friction match in that the phosphorus, instead of being 

 placed on the head of the match, is placed on the side 

 of the box. For this purpose red phosphorus is used. 

 To ignite the match it is necessary to strike its head 

 on the side of the box or some similar surface. The 

 heat thus produced is sufficient to convert a small 

 portion of the red phosphorus on the box to yellow 

 phosphorus, which kindles and ignites the substances 

 on the head of the match. 



Dangers of friction match. When we consider the 

 ease with . which ordinary friction matches ignite, the 

 danger resulting from leaving them about becomes 

 apparent. Disastrous fires with thousands of dollars 

 loss, have resulted from mice or rats clawing matches ; 

 from children striking them, or from their being 

 stepped on. Because of the fact that the safety match 

 will not easily ignite unless rubbed on the specially 

 prepared surface, it is far safer. The chance of acci- 

 dentally igniting them is much less, and in some coun- 

 tries, notably Switzerland, manufacture of the common 

 friction match with yellow phosphorus is forbidden. 

 Property destruction is not the only loss resulting 

 from the manufacture of the friction match. The 

 continued breathing of the vapor from the phosphorus 

 by men in the factories produces an incurable disease 

 called necrosis. This is characterized by falling out 

 of the teeth, and the ulceration and decay of the jaw 

 bones. The only way to prevent the spread of the 

 disease is to remove the affected part. Because of the 



