Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-02-25

In the Boston Medical and Surgical Journal
we lind a translation Of an article originally
published in a French Medical Journal rela.
tive TO the toxicophagin or arsenic eaters of
Europe. In it we find some interesting facts
concerning the consumption Of this-when
used in sufficient quantities deadly poison,
| among the nations OF the European continent.
II is well known that in some parts Of Europe,
and particularly in Austria, many Of the people
are in the habit of eating arsenic. Young
peasants, particularly, often adopt this danger.
Gus practice, with the design of adding to their
personal charms; for by il they obtain an ap-
pearance of freshness and health, together
with certain amount of embonpoiat. The
practice OF eating arsenic, Also actually has the
effect OF rendering them more enduring, and
tacilitatesrespiration in mounting steepascents.
The employment of poison for the attainment
of these objects is by no means peculiar to
this people, and the use of arsenic finds par.
allel in the use of corrosive sublimate in other
countries. In South America corrosive sub.
Innate is extensively used, and an opium eater
IN Brussa, Turkey, was accustomed to swallow
daily with his opium, forty grains of the drug,
without any apparent injurious effect
The effects of arsenic upon the human frame
were illustrated in curious case which occur.
red about year since, in the northern part OF
France. A domestic at country seat wished
to cause the death Of his mistress, and mixed
arsenic in small quantities in her food, hoping
that the slow operation Of the poison would
prevent any suspicious Of murder. To his
greatastonshments she gained rapidly in health,
flesh and spirits. At length he gave her a
larger quantity, which occasioned serious ill
ness, and led to the discovery and punishment
of his crime.
Arsenic is often administered to horses in
Vienna, by the grooms and coachmen of the
Austrian capital. They mix a liberal pinch of
the powder with oats, or attach to the bride q
fragment OF arsenic as large as a pea, wrapped
in linen, and when the horse is harnessed the
saliva dissolves the poison. The glossy, round,
and elegant appearance of valuable horses in
the mouth, are generally due to arsenic, which,
as is well known, increases salvation.
The transfers in mountainous countries fire.
quently add dose Of arsenic to the fodder
which they give their horses before laborious
ascent. The practice of giving arsenic to
horses may continue for years without accident,
but as soon as the animal passes into the hands
OF master who does not use arsenic, he be-
comes thin, loses his spirits, and III spite of the
most abundant nourishment, never RECEIVERS his
former appearance.
The use Of arsenic for horned cattle is less
frequent, it Is only given to oxen and calves
intended for fattening. The effect is surpris.
ing as to the increase in the size of the animal,
butt does not increase proportionaby in weight.
For this reason butchers seldom buy cattle
tattened in this manner by the eye, for the real
weight is much less than the apparent weight.
In Austria hogs and other animals are also
fattened by a careful use Of arsenic.