The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1866-06-14
Wholesale Poisoning by Lead.

Some two months ago a strange and
violent disease made its appearance in the
Waikiki Valley in the western part oi
Orange county, which was source of
great perplexity to the physicians and
caused severe suffering to the persons al
aicted. At length the cause was dlscov-
cred. They were poisoned by carbonate
of lead. They had partaken of bread
made of -four from the mill of Thomas
March, at Phillipsburg. He had men
ded millstone by filing up the chinks
with lead, and used such quantities that
the particles worn off by attrition had im-
pregnatcd the -four. Mr. NJ. was igno-
rant of the poisonous properties of lead,
and supposed that because lead in its me-
ialic form did not always cause injury,
that it would not do so in any other form.
He was not aware that lead, after being
subjected to the process of fermentation
and baking, was transformed by chemical
action into carbonate of lead-a deadly
poison. All may be thankful that the
lead was taken into the system in such
large quantities, for it was that which
brought on severe vomitings, and caused
the persons affected to throw off very
much of the poison before it had suffi-
cient time to act with full and fatal effect.
Marsh's flour had a good reputation
and customers purchased 1t throughout a
large scope of country. More than 800
persons were badly poisoned by using it,
and two or three deaths have occurred,
which are directly traceable to the poi
soned -four. As soon as the terrible fact
was discoveaed Mr. Marsh made every eff
fort to call in the -four which had been
ground on the stone patched with lead
and succeeded in getting 6t barrels
These he sent to his agent at Middletown
with instructions to dispose of it to starch
manufacturers in the city of New York.
Mr.. Marsh is unable to state positively
that the -four has been used for that pur-
pose, as it was sold at about 81 so per
barrel 1t is possible that it may have
been repacked, and may be at this time
selling for XXX Family Flour, and il
is we'll for the Board Of Health to make
diligent inquiry into the facts Of the case
There are now several cases of lead poi
sonng in New York, and the afflic tee
persons arc known to have partakcn oi
this -four
The parties who have suffered from the
poison are prosecuting Marsh for dana.
ges. The sums claimed Of him in the
various suits already brought amount to
So, 600, and more are constantly com.
ing in. He has worked hard and by
economy and good management made in
II years about thirty thousand dollars
having started with no other capital than
his own industry. He is represented tC
be greatly agonized in mind BY
this unfortunate event he scarcely sleeps
or eats, and feels that he is a ruined man
The lead patched stone he took out and
threw into the mill pond, as soon as the
poison was traceded to the -four grounC
upon it. This was very indiscreet Another
thing which looks strange, if not susp
cious, is, that none Of his own family have
been affected by eating bread made from
-four said to have been taken at random
from the mill.
4 correspondent of the n. Y. Tribune,
from whose letters we derive the above
facts, says that many Of the persons poi
soned will never regain their health
Scores Of men who a few weeks ago were
in the full enjoyment of health and
strength are ruined for life, and totter tC
and fro, their faces having the appear
ance of dry parchment; their eyes sunk
en- and encircled by dark ring; THEN
| lips blue, their muscles contrated, and
their limbs distorted for them to move
IS intense pain relapse follows relapse
till in time they must succumb to the eff
fects of this fearful malady. = Sussea
Register.