ARSENIC, ANTIMONY, BISMUTH. COPPER AND LEAD. 255 



Iii this case the person lives so long after taking the poison 

 that it goes every where in the circulation, and pervades 

 the whole body. But sometimes, on the other hand, the 

 stomach and intestines alone have been found preserved 

 even after the rest of the body was far gone in decompo- 

 sition. Here the person died soon after taking the ar- 

 senic, and therefore its antiseptic influence was exerted 

 locally. It is on account of this preservative power that 

 skins intended for shipping have arsenic rubbed on the 

 flesh side. 



359. Arsenic-Eating. There is a strange habit of eating 

 arsenic prevalent among the inhabitants of Styria, a mount- 

 ainous district in Austria. The effects which are ascribed 

 to it are hardly credible, but the statements seem to be 

 well authenticated. It is said that the arsenic-eaters con- 

 tract the habit for the purpose of improving their personal 

 appearance. Another effect is that the respiration is im- 

 proved, so that mountains can be climbed with much less 

 embarrassment of the breathing than is usual. But the 

 habit is attended with great dangers. The arsenic-eater 

 begins with small doses, and gradually increases them. 

 Great caution is required, and very often too much is 

 taken ; aitd then symptoms of poisoning appear, perhaps 

 resulting in death. Then, again, when the habit is once 

 formed, any intermission in the regular taking of the ar- 

 senic is dangerous, bringing on at once the common symp- 

 toms of arsenic-poisoning. It is said that the same results 

 are produced on brute animals, and that in the city of Vi- 

 enna men sometimes throw a pinch of arsenic into the food 

 of horses. It makes them fat, sleek, and of good wind ; but 

 the practice once begun must be kept up. Notwithstand- 

 ing all this, thorough investigation would undoubtedly 

 show that arsenic-eating very considerably shortens life, 

 although cases are cited in which persons who for a long 



