310 SCIENCE OF COMMON THINGS, 



Lead pipes, how poison -water. Verdigris. Calomel. 



Lead and nearly all its- compounds are dangerous and 

 secret poisons ; when received into the system, it fre- 

 quently remains dormant for years, and then suddenly 

 manifests itself in various- forms- of disease. 



5000 What is the disease called "painters' colic f ' 



A disease to which- painters and others working in 

 lead are liable, in consequence of receiving- into their 

 system, imperceptibly, portions of lead. 



5001 Is it dangerous to sleep in, or Ireathe the air of, a room newly 

 painted with paints containing lead ? 



It is highly dangerous, since the air is filled with a 

 vapor of the lead compound used as paint. 



5003 Why are some water s^ when conveyed through lead pipe, 

 poisonous ? 



"Waters which are very pure and contain much oxygen 

 dissolved in them ; waters which contain nitric acid 

 compounds, such as those flowing from the vicinity of 

 barn-yards, manure heaps, and those which contain 

 common salt or organic matter, as water flowing from 

 swamps and fields ; waters containing soluble car- 

 Donates all dissolve lead from the pipes through 

 which they may be made to pass Constant use of 

 such waters, in the process of time, will introduce suffi- 

 cient lead into the system to produce disease, which is 

 often attributed to other causes, 



J2OO3 What is verdigris ? 



Verdigris is a compound of copper, oxygen, and 

 acetic acid. This, and all the compounds of copper, are 

 very poisonous. The most efficacious antidotes for 

 poisoning with copper are, white of eggs and milk. 



5004 What is calomel ? 



It is a compound of two parts of mercury united to 

 one of chlorine, forming the sub-chloride of mercury. 

 The preparation commonly known in medicine as " blue 

 pill," is a preparation of mercury. 



2OO5 What is corrosive sublimate f 



A compound of mercury and chlorine united in equal 

 proportions, forming the perchloride of mercury. 



