13 
arsenic, were then detailed. Dr. Holler, of Hartberg, says 
that he and other persons, named in his report, guarantee that 
they are together acquainted with forty persons who eat 
arsenic; and Dr. Forcher, of Gratz gives a list of eleven 
people in his neighbourhood who indulge in the practice. 
Professor Roscoe did not think it necessary to translate the 
reports in extenso ; he gave extracts containing the portions 
immediately bearing upon the two questions at issue, and 
deposited authentic copies of the original reports with the 
Society, for the purpose of reference. He concluded that 
decisive evidence had, in his opinion, been brought forward, 
not only to prove that arsenic is well known and widely 
distributed in Styria, but that it is likewise regularly eaten, 
for what purpose he did not at the moment investigate, in 
quantities usually considered sufficient to produce immediate 
death. 
In the course of the conversation, after the Paper was read, 
Dr. Clay mentioned instances in which large quantities of 
arsenic had been prescribed for various diseases, with benefit. 
It was a valuable medicine, but if taken for other purposes it 
would produce most pernicious effects. It was a practice in 
some parts of the country to give it to horses to improve the 
sleekness of their coats. 
Mr. Ran some confirmed the observation of Dr. Clay, and 
stated that he had long ago drawn the attention of the Society 
to the fact that sulphuric acid manufactured from arsenical 
pyrites contained arsenic, and that this acid being employed 
in the manufacture of various articles used as medicine, and 
even as food, these likewise contained the poisonous ingre- 
dient. He had found it even in flowers of sulphur. 
