The Cecil Whig., 1869-11-20
The Arsenic Eaters Of Styria.

+! Men of science who traversed Styria have
long reported the fact that there were peo
pie in Styria who consumed arsenic. How
ever, this statement was denied by others,
who affirmed that the white mineral they
ate was nothing but chalk and, as there
were some quack doctors among the indi-
viduals, charged of that usage, 1t was as
serted, that in making people believe that
they took ratsbane they would give them
selves the appearance of being protected
from all diseases by it, in order to favor the
sale of their drugs. Rnmors and state
ments with respect to this subject had to
remain without significance as long as
chemical analysis had not given proof of
the presence of that poison in the waste of
the body.
Prompted by the Importance of this sub
ject, the royal medical counsel, DR.. Won
Vest, occasioned the issue of a circular to
the physicians of Styria, requesting them to
communicate their experiences with regard
thereto. Seventeen reports were obtained,
from which the following is an extract:
The principal seat of the arsenic eaters
according to thesis the northern or
northwestern part, the southern part, how
ever, is free from them. The district of
forty individuals who indulge in that habit.
From the various sorts of arsenic, the white
arsenic, or ratsbane, is mostly taken, less
SO the commercial yellow, and still less the
natural red arsenic, or orpiment. The ar
| senic eaters begin with the dose of the
| size of millet, and increase this quantity
gradually to the dose Of the size of pea,
the weight of these quantities being 0-22,
O-56, and 0-52 grains avoirdupois, respect
lively.
These doses are either taken daily, or
every other day, or only once or twice
week. In the district of Hartberg the Gus
tom prevails to suspend this usage at the
| time of the new moon, to commence at the
time when she is ON her increase with the
relative smallest dose, and to increase with
it to the time of the full moon. From this
period the quantity is diminished, but aloes
is taken in increased doses till strong diar-
rhea is produced. Directly after the ad-
ministering of arsenic, most people abstain
from drinking, and with regard to aliment,
some prefer pastry to meat, while others
abstain from the taking of fat. However,
the majority will take all kinds of food,
indulging also considerably in the use of
alcoholic beverages. Older persons who
have been accustomed to that habit from
their boyhood feel sensation of warmth
in the stomach shortly after taking the poi
son, complaining only of dizziness in the
head after excessive use.
The ratsbane eaters belong mostly to the
lower classes, wood cleavers, stable grooms,
charcoal burners, and wood warts. They
fall into that habit at the early age of fif-
teen, and continue it until the age of sew
enty and seventy-six. Although the female
sex is not averse to it, the majority belongs
to the male sex. They are generally strong
and healthy persons, courageous, pugna-
cious, and of strong sexual dispositions
The reason of this habit is very probably
attributable to the fact of its apparent IA
vorable action upon horses. If requested
to explain the reason of their indulging in
it, they will say that it is to make them
strong and healthy.
The taking of arsenic is rarely practiced
by slckly persons. Although the indes-
tructible health of the mountaineer forms
in the beginning kind of an armor against
the arsenic ths slowly-increased doses pre-
pairing the body for the assimilation of
larger doses most arsenic eaters end with
an inevitable infirmity of the body.
DR.. Knappe, at Oberzeiring, sent to Prof.
Schaser in Graz, who was intrusted with
the chemical examinations, the urine Of an
individual who consumed arsenic for thirty
yoars. He felt in the beginning great ex-
haustion, which regularly disappeared after
new dose, but never experienced head
ache, or burning in the throat or stomach.
This person was observed from February
81, 1860. On that day he took very small
piece of arsenic on the day after, piece
of 0-56 grains was swallowed by him in the
presence of DR.. Knappe. On February 20,
he took as much as O-G2 grains. During
this time he showed great appetite, indulged
considerably in spurious liquors, and took
leave perfectly we'll, ON February "a. He
stated that he used to take the respective
quantities twice or thrice week. With
regard to the urine, chemical analysis did
not fail to detect the presence of the poi
son with the utmost certainty, still, the
traces found were not equivalent to the
quantities swallowed. A second portion of
urine furnished also but traces of arsenite
of magnesia and ammonia. However, if it
is considered that arsenic is not soluble
very, the larger part leaving the body
through other channels, the facts stated
are easy explainable.
To the Involuntary arsenic eaters in Sty-
ria belong the horses. The quantities given
to them vary from five to one hundred
grains. It is stated that after long g-contin-
ued use, they get fat and courageous, but
they die shortly after suspending it.
With regard to the mingling of arsenic
with the food of cattle and other domestic
animals the reports spoken of contain also
remarks which are of interest, as they show
how rapidly the organism adapts itself to
so violent poison, that the expulsion
through the kidneys is only a small and
long enduring one, that the accumulation
in the blood is considerable, and that the
larger part is conveyed away through the
intestinal passages.
A BEAUTIFUL INCIDENTAL naval officer
being at sea in dreadful storm, his wife,
who was sitting in the cabin near him, and
filled with alarm for the safety of the ves-
sci, was so surprised with his composure
and serenity that she cried out:
,"My dear are Won not afraid How is