Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-04-05
POISONED PAPER HANGINos.


To The Editor Of the Boston Journal:
The frequency Of accidental poisoning oc-
curing from the use Of the arsonic-acetato
OF copper { schwoinfueth green0 as a pig.
ment leads me 60 call the attention of the
public to this subject as one of Importance
IN connection with health.
From year Co year an extension of tho man
uhcturo and consumption Of this article.
composed Of qFsn0us acid, 1ceiic acid and or
He of copper, has taken place, as a conse-
qucnce of its brilliant and green color. At
tins tmc, either alone or mixed with other
green pigments, it forms a large part Of the
Wholo OF the fine green's used in painting, de-
cof"ung ana nrnamentng. Its application to
paper hangings was made within a few years.
as substitute for Schecle's green a less
soluble and far less noxious compound. Im
medately after it was so applied. cases Of
anomalous poisoning occurred, which for
some time could not be traced 90 This source.
The Journal reported cases of poisoning more
by iesa soForl, and Gnaily Che Prussiau autls,.
rites declared the manufacture and sale of
paper haDgings colored by this pigment, il
legal
ln England, owing to a growing taste for
dark colored papers, the effects of this poison
were soon after noticed, aud not only the oc-
cupants Of apartments where green colored
paper covered the walls were affected serious
ly, but servants who busted, and the persons
who applied IL, were poisoned
In this country the consumption Of this
pigment Is Increasing rapidly. Tho green
ugured paper hangings -suggesting the inn
preston OF coolncss-aro chosen for covering
the walls Of summer apartments. in both
town and country Numerous cases of dis
ease m this city have been traced TO the pois-
onous effects Of the green pigment on these
papers, and some OF the more strongly mark.
ed instances Of arsenical poisoning have been
under treatment by eminent physicians here.
IL is not alone in this connection that this
pigment acts as a dangerous substitute for
other colors. Fancy paper, for many purposes.
Is tinted with it, aud our shops display en-
yelopes, cards, boxes, imitation leaves and
flowers, covered thicky with its powder.
The wreaths worn by ladies on festive oc-
casions, often in contact with the moist skin.
are poisoned by this substance.
In the green color Of sugar confectionery
have, besides, repeatedly found this poison.
presented in a most attractive form. and in a
warm climate the wooden conduits for rain
water, used for all domestic purposes, had
their interior surfaces painted with this pig
ment.
Among green pigments, this one is readily
distinguished by its brilliant hue from others
which have been long used and it is in the
more strongly green figures of paper hangings
that it is chiefly found. The deep green aock
papers, and those with broad stripes. general
ly have coating of this pigment so loosely
attached as to be easily brushed off in hand
ling it, This is one of the most dangerous
kinds of paper, as the poison is communicated
to the human system in the form of dust rising
with the dust from other sources in room.
Affections Of the throat and lungs thus pro-