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 effects 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, vary- 
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 animals, which cannot be too carefully 
guarded against, for it is much more injurious in its efifects 
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 
