The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 18??-1882, 1881-12-23
sLead.Poisoning.

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w. H.rSmith. M. D., Of st. Clair.
Mich, contributes the following to the
current number of Science and Health,
published at Lewisbnrgh, Pal:
Lead IL t, n of he most useful and
~ the same tine Ii. Jst niger Jus met
ais.
Among the phenomena caused by
this poison, lead colic is the most COM
mon. Following, or even preceding
this, may be palsy and especially that
form of paralysis known as dropwrist;
at times there are indications of brain
disorders, epileptic seizures, convul-
siOns, general tremor, and delirium or
stupor. Often the nervous manifesto
tions appear in the form of neuralgia
pains in the various parts of the body,
or sight may be affected, causing hal
lucinatiOns of vision and amaurOsis.
"What are the ways in which this
agent gains ingress into the system?
They are, first of all, inhalation. In
this way painters, plumbers, and work.
ers in lead or ad.paints become af-
fected. Secondly, the stomach and skin
furnish avenues for the entrance of
the poison, and owing to the absorb
tive power of the latter, cosmetics and
hair dyes, containing the metal, have
often produced deleterious effects. In
the Physician and Surgeon TOR April,
1891. is reported the case of woman
poisoned by the use of certain pow
der upon her face called flake white"
In a similar manner the majority of
hair dyes and hair restOrers are capable
of doing harm. OF twenty-One exam
ined by Mr.. Benjamin, New York
chemist, two years ago, fifteen contain
ed lead and were hence car able Of pro-
ducing poison.
In the spring Of 1853 in Orange Co.,
New York, there occurred 2l3 cases of
lead poisoning. For a long time the
Ource OF the poison remained obscure.
Finally, it was ascertained that the
stones used In grinding the meal for
The effected families were dld and in
need of repair. The miller, not sus-
pecting the danger, when a cavity Oc-
CURED, filled 1t with lead as mere
matter of convenience. The attriti0n
of grinding wore off particles of the
met al, and thus contaminated large
portion of the meal used in that local
ity.
"The use of lead water pipes is an
other source of danger. In many
houses and in cities supplied with wa
ter from reservoirs the conduit pipes
are generally made of this material.
The water containing as it does oxy-
gen. would, in passing, dissolve the OK
ide of lead and thus become hurtful.
If, however, carbonates or sulphates
are present, they will mite with the
lead, forming a thin white insOluble
film over its inner surface and thus
prevent any farther decomposition.
On the other hand, the presence Of the
and nitrates adds to the COR
rO3ive power of water and increases
the danger. A knowledge, then, of the
earthly ingredients present in water is
Of inestimable value in enabling one to
decide as to the safety Of using lead
pipes in its conveyance. In the alb
sence of such knowledge, it is an ex-
cellent rule to always allow the faucet
To remain open sufficiently long to re-
move all matter that has been for some
Time in the pipes before using the wa
ter.
Poisoning may also be induced by
ndulging in snuff or tobacco which
has been wrapped in tin-foil, by using
glazed with material con-
.aining lead. by inhaling the odor of
freshly painted room, by ships cooks
standing in naked feet before the gal
ey fire upon sheet of lead, by the va
Dor discharged during the manufacture
If lucifer matches. The writer has
known hunter, a patient
If his, whose system was contaminated
)y holding shot in his mouth prior to
oading his gun"