The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1823-03-19
fF,Om. the Csnneetie,a Herald. l

A few weeks since, an obituary notice Of
Mrs. Long, of Concord, IN. H. went the
rounds of the newspapers. Her death was
occasioned by using sugar adulterated with
white lead. She died with aggravated symp-
toms of C0liea Pictonuns, or Lead Collie
Since then, family in the same town, (Mr.
J. Wheeler's,) have been severely afflicted in
the same way, from the use of apple-sauce
kept in earthen pans, glazed with red lead
the youngest member of the family has died
There is notice of the case by DIR. Long,
and a report by the central Medical Society,
On. H. on the subject, I'M the .NtiC-Ramp-
shire Patriot. DIR. Long gives the following
as the history Of the symptoms -
I" Among the first symptoms noticeable in
this disease, are tightness or uneasiness a.
cross the stomach and bowels, costiveness,
faintness, giddiness, nambness in the extremi-
ties, pains shooting into the head, neck, back
and limbs, which are often thought to be rhe9-
matick. And in the further progress of the
disease, slight sickness at the stomach, thirst,
anxiety, general languor, yellowness Of the
skin-and if not relieved, worse symptoms
ensue such as obstinate costiveness, fire.
quent but Intellectual desire to evacuate the
contents of the bowels, constant nausea and
vomiting, violent pains in the stomach and
bowels, with the sensation of their being
knotted up and strongly drawn upward and
back; epilepsy, delirium, palsy, strong con-
vulsions, and death.'
When family, or any member of it, is af-
fected with such symptoms, they may suspect
the action of lead poison, and ought to exam
inc their food. drink, and utensils for cooking
or containing them. They ought, too, to
make speedy application for medical assist
ance, as this is case of peculiar obstinacy
and danger. In the case above mentioned,
the glazing of the pans was in part entirely
destroyed, and the inside of the pans reduced
to the state of clay. Lead is used in forming
pewter vessels, in soldering tin ware, and in
glazing earthen ware. White crockery is
glazed with white lead common brown ware
with coarse red lead, or oxyd. Stone ware is
glazed with salt, and is therefore not liable to
these objections. Lead is easily corToded by
any thing acid, such as wine, cider, pickles,
preserves, and by oils, when rancid. These
articles then contain the lead in solution
which may be detected by solution of liver
of sulphur, (hydrosuiphuret,) in the form of a
HACK cloud or precipitate. Wines are often
sweetened by sugar of lead, when precked or
acidihed. This has been made gainful, but
most nefarious speculation. 1t has been one
of the thousand guilty means Of gathering
wealth from the wretchedness of others
From the case of Mrs. Long, it appears that
the same adulteration has been practised in
sugar. Those who value their health, land
there is assuredly nothing of higher value, for
one half of our moral evils are evil from their
destroying health } those who prefer a sound
constitution to any momentary gratifcation-or
fancIed convenience OUphf In take caro hou-
they suffer this insidious poison to faint their
food, and infect their luxuries. Let them re-
member, there may be "death an The pot.''-
Copper is another poisonous metal. All cop
per and brass kitchen utensils should be used
eautiously-and brass cocks ought in particu-
lar to be avoided in drawing off any acidulous
liquor Oils, too, act on copper, at least when
rancid; and have often witnessed the melt
ed tallow on brass candlestick coIoared a
deep green.