MATERIALS, ETC. 13 



of pure dry arsenic as people generally suppose. I have 

 been told repeatedly, by competent physicians, that the 

 small quantity taken, either by inhalation while using it, 

 or by numerous other accidental ways, would be beneficial^ 

 rather than injurious ; but be that as it may, I have used 

 dry arsenic constantly for ten years, and have not yet, I 

 think, experienced any injurious eifects from it. It must 

 be remembered that I have, of course, used it carefully. 

 When used with care, in the ordinary manner, it is un- 

 doubtedly the safest and the best material that can be 

 used in preparing skins for the cabinet. I have never yet 

 had a skin decay, or attacked by moths, that was well pre- 

 served by the use of arsenic. Arsenic is very cheap, varyi 

 ing from five to ten cents per pound by the wholesale, and 

 retailed at twenty-five cents by druggists, but when bought 

 by the ounce the price is enormous. 



There is, however, another poison to which one is exposed 

 while skinning animails, which cannot be too carefully 

 guarded against, for it is much more injurious in its effects 

 than fat and arsenic. I speak of the animal poison that 

 results from the first stage of decomposition. If on a warm 

 day one skins birds from which an offensive odor arises, 

 and a peculiar livid or purplish appearance of the skin 

 upon the abdomen is seen, and the intestines are distended 

 with an extremely poisonous gas, — which is the source 

 of the offensive, sickening odor, — there is danger of be- 

 ing poisoned. When this gas is inhaled, or penetrates the 

 skin through the pores (which are generally open on a 

 warm day), a powerful and highly dangerous poison is apt 

 to be the result. 



In a few days numerous pimples, which are exceedingly 

 painful, appear upon the skin of the face and other parts 

 of the person, and upon those parts where there is a chaf- 

 ing or rubbing become large and deep sores. There is a 

 general languor, and, if badly poisoned, complete prostration. 



