Am.  Jour.  Pharm.  ) 
Sept.  1, 1871.  J 
Editorial. 
427 
Accidents  at  Dr.  Squibb's  Laboratory. — Our  readers  will  learn  with  deep 
regret  of  two  serious  accidents,  the  particulars  of  which  are  given  in  the  fol- 
lowing letter  from  Professor  Procter  : 
Prof.  John  M.  Maisch,  Editor  of  the  American  Journal  of  Pharmacy  : 
It  may  be  interesting  to  the  readers  of  the  Journal  to  know  something  of  the 
details  of  the  accidents  which  recently  occurred  in  the  laboratory  of  our  friend, 
Dr.  E.  R.  Squibb,  of  Brooklyn,  one  of  which  caused  the  death  of  one  of  his 
workmen,  and  the  other  a  serious  loss,  by  fire,  two  days  after.  On  Thursday, 
Aug.  10th,  one  of  his  workmen,  in  changing  a  receiving  flask  into  which  car- 
bolic acid  was  being  distilled,  broke  the  flask  and  scalded  himself,  not  very 
badly,  with  the  hot  phenol.  This  was  bad  enough  ;  but  he  managed  to  inspire 
the  vapor  in  considerable  quantity,  with  the  result  that  in  half  an  hour  he  was 
dead — despite  all  eSbrts  to  save  him — probably  from  the  profound  anaesthetic 
effect  of  the  vapor,  fie  was  a  German,  and  leaves  a  wife  and  three  small 
children. 
On  Saturday  morning  following  this  accident,  whilst  Dr.  Squibb  was  at  the 
Coroner's  office,  one  of  four  8-gallon  flasks  of  carbolic  acid  broke  over  the  fire, 
and  let  its  contents  into  the  iron  sand-bath  in  which  it  was  supported.  This 
caused  very  rapid  boiling,  and  large  quantities  of  inflammable  vapor  were  set 
free.  Under  the  influence  of  the  previous  accident  the  men  had  not  their  usual 
presence  of  mind,  and,  in  some  unexplained  way,  managed  to  get  this  large 
column  of  vapor  on  fire.  Subsequently,  in  applying  water  to  this,  the  other 
flasks  must  have  been  broken,  and  thus  increased  the  flame.  Several  important 
workmen  were  absent  on  vacations,  and  those  who  were  present  could  not  ope- 
rate the  special  fire  apparatus  effectively.  For  this  reason  the  flames  soon 
reached  the  beams  and  rafters  above,  and  were  beyond  their  control.  The  fire 
department,  however,  soon  got  the  fire  under,  before  the  roof  was  destroyed, 
but  not  until  the  timbers  were  seriously  damaged.  The  space  above,  though 
not  floored,  was  furnished  with  several  platforms,  on  which  valuable  glass  and 
other  apparatus  was  stowed,  and  here  the  greatest  loss  was  occasioned.  The 
floor  of  the  laboratory  is  supported  on  wrought  iron  joists,  with  intervening 
brick  arches,  and  is  paved  throughout  with  flagstones  in  cement,  with  perfect 
drainage.  The  consequence  was  that  not  a  pailful  of  water  passed  to,  or  a 
dollar's  worth  of  damage  was  suffered  by  the  stock,  apparatus,  etc.,  on  the 
lower  floors.  About  $800  worth  of  chloral,  and  $1500  worth  of  other  material 
in  process  of  manufacture  were  destroyed,  and  between  two  and  three  thousand 
dollars'  worth  of  apparatus.  The  Fire  Marshal  roughly  estimates  the  loss  on 
the  building  at  S2500,  all  covered  by  insurance,  and  the  interruption  to  busi- 
ness will  not  be  serious  ;  but  the  loss  of  life  is  a  source  of  great  trouble  to  Dr. 
Squibb,  who,  with  his  son,  had  been  the  relief  of  this  man  at  the  carbolic  acid 
retorts,  and  had  both  repeatedly  changed  the  same  flask  that  broke  in  his  hand. 
The  difficulty  arose  from  the  deceased  having  allowed  the  flask  to  get  filled 
nearly  up  to  its  mouth  before  removal. 
The  assistant,  who  was  not  seriously  injured,  testified  before  the  Coroner's 
Jury  that  they  both  jumped  back  instantly,  letting  go  both  flask  and  pitcher, 
and  that  he  neither  saw  nor  felt  any  vapor.  For  ten  minutes  after  the  accident 
no  danger  was  apprehended  by  the  deceased  ;  the  first  signs  being  a  feeling  of 
intoxication  and  staggering,  from  which  he  was  steadily  prostrated  down  to 
death  in  half  an  hour.  He  had  been  engaged  in  chemical  laboratories  over 
eight  years,  and  in  his  last  place  seven  months,  and  knew  the  nature  of  his 
employment. 
Stamp  Duties  on  Perfumery. — The  Internal  Revenue  Officers  have  hereto- 
fore interpreted  the  law  so  that  imported  perfumery  in  packages  (of  half  or  one 
dozen  bottles)  as  originally  put  up  by  the  manufacturers,  could  be  sold  un- 
