The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-08-12
Total hhds. 1892, 4sS 224,6J4


By the above it will be seen that the total
receipts at New York during the first six
months of last year were IS, 1873 hhds., against
81, $50 hhds. at Philadelphia.
The increase at Philadelphia this year may
be ascribed to the fact that the refiners Of
molasses there pushed matters and secured
considerable supplies in Cuba by contracts
early in the season; and as the refners have
been in pretty steady operation there for some
time past, consignments have naturally been
attracted, while at one time there was scarce
~ q refinery running here. The Philadelphia
refneries have had an advantage in regard to
molasses, while they have fallen largely be-
hind in the importation Of sugar and have
been obliged to draw on the New York supply.
As regards the trade in molasses it may be
said that latterly there has been marked i'm
provement on the dizziness existing some
weeks ago, and with the supply at all the
ports down to low point, as result of the
more liberal purchases of refners, prices are
quite firm for all descriptions, though they
are still materially lower than those current
at this time last year.
deportation of Arsenic-Uses and Abuses Of
tho Drug.
During last year 1,636, 1856 pounds of arsenic
were imported into the United States the
greater part OF which was received at New
York and distributed thence to all sections of
the country. In various manufactures this
poisonous article occupies an important
place. The name "arsenic is of Greek
derivation, ar senikOn, or drsenikon, from its
power of DESTROYING. Metallic arsenic occurs
native in veins in the crystalized rocks and
older states, and is found in large quantities
ut Altenburg and Reichenstein, in Silesis,
also at Audreasberg, in the Hartz and at the
other mines in Hungary and Bohemia.
= La al haav forx sv,,o lroa
tiles in Connecticut and New Hampshire par
ticularly, but is not rare in any of the New
England States. Strange as it may seem,
arsenic has been found in the ashes of many
plants; also in certain soils and mineral waters
It has also been detected in cemeteries, and
its diffusion throughout the land in minute
quantities may be regarded as very remark
able. Modern chemists do not treat it as
metal, though it is commonly treated as such.
''Appleton's Encyclopedias characterizes it
"as one of the most volatile and one of the
most combustible of the metals. is readily
sublimed ct Q temperature OF $50 degrees
Fahrenheit, apparently before it melts, and
at Q greater heat it takes fire and burns with
. pale blue flame. giving out dense fumes OF
. peculiar garlicky odor.'
Arsenic readily combines as an alloy with
other metals, and its most extensive use, per-
hsps, is in our large foundries 1t gives great
huidity to molten iron, and in fine castings
that do not require much strength but sharply
defined and delicate outlines, it is very de-
sirsble, but when existing in the iron ores, its
presence is particularly injurious, as it makes
the cast metal too brittle for general use
Arsenic is also largely employed in the
manufacture of aniline colors. and forms the
basis of the article known as Paris green. 1t
also enters into the composition of wall paper,
and instances have occurred in which persons
occupying rooms covered with green paper
have been badly poisoned. As an agent in |
suicide and murder, it has been largely en-
ployed, but its use for the commiss on of
these crimes, particularly the latter, is rare
now -a-days, owing to the easy manner in |
which its presence may be detected in the
body after death. 1t has also been used in |
medical practice, but is not held in great |
favor by the profession. Large quantities are
also annually used in the making of insect |
and vermin poisons, but the great part of the |
million and three-quarter pounds imported
to this country is used in foundries and |
various manufactures Exchange.