174 YEAR-BOOK OF FACTS. 



On submitting it to quantitative analysis, the following were the 

 results obtained : — 



Moisture . . . . 0"10 

 Organic matter and loss . 0-52 

 Peroxide of iron . . I'M 



Protoxide of lead . . 82-291 _ fPbO, CO 5 92'2S 



88-29 1 _ n 

 1515JT — 1 



Carbonic acid . . . 15-15 j ~ I + PbO 5"1G 



100-000 



The results of the analysis of this substance, therefore, show that 

 it chiefly consists of protocarbonate of lead with a small proportion of 

 anhydrous protoxide of the same metal. The production of these 

 compounds was doubtless mainly due to the moisture and car- 

 bonic acid evolved during the decay of the animal remains, acting, 

 conjointly with the oxygen of the air, on the leaden coflins in which 

 the bodies were placed. 



The interesting points in connexion with this substance are, that 

 it is anhydrous, that it contains but a small excess of oxide, and 

 that it consequently differs in composition from any of the carbonates 

 of lead hitherto described as being produced by the united action of 

 air and water on metallic lead ; or by the influences concerned in the 

 well-known Dutch method of manufacturing "white lead," and 

 which it is believed approximate in character to those under which 

 the material forming the subject of this communication was de- 

 veloped. 



Lastly, it is most likely that the lead of the coffins was first con- 

 verted into hydratcd oxide, then into hydrated and basic carbonate, 

 and finally into the anhydrous carbonate of the composition already 

 given. 



OX THE ALLEGED PRACTICE OF ARSENIC-EATING IN STYRIA. 

 BY DR. H. E. BO 



Professor Roscoe being anxious to obtain further definite informa- 

 tion respecting the extraordinary statements of V r on Tschudi, quoted 

 by Johnson in his C/temistry of Cotmi ■ l ft, that persons in Styria 

 are in the habit of regularly taking doses of anemone acid, varying 



in quantity fr two to five grains daily, — was supplied, through the 



kindness of his fri< ad Professor Pebal, of Lemberg, with a series of 

 ateen medical men of Styria to the govern- 

 :■ at Gratz, concerning the alleged practice. 

 After reviewing the opinions of Dr. Taylor, Mr. Kesteven, and .Mr. 

 ubject, ami having mentioned the results and con- 

 clu ions arrived at by those who had previously interested themselves 

 with the subject, Mr. Rosooe stated that all the letters reoeived from 

 the medical men in Btyria agree in acknowledging the genera] pre- 

 valence of a belief that certain persons are in the habil of continually 

 arsenic in quantities usually supposed sufficient to produce 

 the reporting medical man had no ezperienoeof 

 the practice; others describe certain casts of arsenic-eating which 

 have not come under their personal notice, but which they have 



