ARSENIC IN PAPERS AND FABRICS. 



INTRODUCTION. 



While it is undoubtedly true that many cases of arsenical poisoning 

 have been caused by the use of arsenical compounds, or compounds 

 containing arsenic as an impurity, in the coloring of papers and 

 fabrics, the question as to the form in which the arsenic leaves the 

 paper or fabric and the form in which it is absorbed by human beings 

 has been much discussed. Some assert that the arsenic is simply set 

 free as a dust or powder which upon being breathed gives rise to 

 symptoms of arsenical poisoning, while others maintain that the 

 arsenic is set free as a volatile compound which upon being breathed 

 causes even more serious symptoms. As long as wall papers were 

 colored with green pigments, consisting almost entirely of arsenical 

 compounds, it was easy to understand how the dust of arsenic might 

 be rubbed off of the paper and thus inhaled with the air of the room ; 

 but when indisputable cases of poisoning were discovered^ where the 

 paper containing arsenic was covered by another one which was free 

 from arsenic, or where the paper in question only contained arsenic 

 in very small quantities as an impurity in the dye used, it became 

 necessary to assume that some volatile compound of this metalloid 

 was formed. 



It may be as well to state at the beginning of this article that the 

 writers are fully convinced from data which have been published 

 that volatile compounds of arsenic can be set free from wall papers, 

 and, therefore, that cases of poisoning by this class of substances are 

 due both to the formation of a volatile compound and to the actual 

 dusting off of arsenic into the air of dwelling places, or to either of 

 these causes. While practically all cases of poisoning by arsenical 

 dress goods, playing cards, and like articles are due to a continued 

 absorption of arsenic from such articles by the pores of the skin, 

 there may be a few cases in which the arsenic dusts off into the air 

 and is breathed. 



The following brief historical sketch is given to show upon what 

 grounds the opinions expressed above are based. 



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