34 ARSENICAL POISONING IN ARTS. 



The arsenic is held loosely adherent to the paper, and is easily 

 detached and diffused through the room as dust. This dust, 

 found on the shelves, and on other articles in the room, when 

 analysed, yields arsenic. 



All those green papers, so much used in general merchandise, 

 contain arsenic in varying proportions. Size-greens, sold at a 

 cheap price, are now much in vogue for size-painting walls. They 

 vary in strength from seven to thirty-six grains of arsenic in each 

 square foot of wall. A child's picture-book has been found to 

 contain fifty grains; but what shall we say of those bright 

 poisonous colours so alluring to the young, which garnish their 

 toys, and even sweetmeats 1 Here is an article belonging to the 

 textile fabrics one of many treated to the arsenical process. A 

 dress of this material, as now made, contains two thousand grains 

 of arsenic. An artificial wreath, such as I show you, contains pro- 

 bably not less than ten grains of the poison.* 



The case of a young woman of nineteen is reported, who 

 died under symptoms of arsenical poisoning after being eighteen 

 months employed in artificial green flower making.! Examina- 

 tion after death showed that the poison had penetrated the 

 tissues. 



It has been well said that, the feeling which prompts people to 

 keep off the appearances of age as long as possible, sometimes 

 leads them into practices which shorten life. Among the 

 numerous articles used in this way, we must include those 

 nostrums widely advertised as hair-restorers, which are reputed 

 to preserve the pristine colour of the hair, or to restore it if lost. 

 These dyes, for the most part, contain lead, and numerous cases 

 of poisoning by their use are recorded. Face-enamelling the 

 occupation of those artistes who profess to beautify their clients 

 for ever is liable to similar objections. 



Cochineal, supposed to be harmless, and employed to give 

 a peachy bloom to the cheek, contains, as stated by Tardieu, 

 arsenic, mercury, and lead. And even the present fashionable 



* See excellent article on arsenic in " Common Things," by Dr Steven- 

 s on Macadam. Sanitary Record. 



t " Public Hygiene," Cameron, Dublin. 



