Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-12-17
CASSIE TROY'S DEATH
Not Csused by BIOOd-POtsOuiBg From
the Too Free Use of Cosmetics.
what John Mccullough, ne BeIIeviIIe
and DIR. Baizer Say About 1t.

NEW YORK, December 16.-The tragic
death of Miss Cassie Troy, from blood-pois-
ohiDg, continues TO be an exciting topic of
conversation among theatrical circles.
While playing in the character of Emma
the Adventures ia Cad the 1ombOy, she
was seized with sudden illness on the stage
and was unable ts proceed with her play.
Her physician stated that her ailment pro-
ceeded IRON what is known as the painters
collie. She grew gradually worse and
ultimately died, the doctors certificate being
to the effect that she died from blood poison
ing superiuduced by the use of cosmetics
and other faee-paints. A journal reporter
called upon various wsli-known actors to
hear what they had TO say as 10 the alleged
Psisouous effect of stage cosmrti1s. Jonu
Mccullough, the great trsgediau, was found
at the Sturfevant House, aud readily an
swered the reporters questions.
WHAT M'cuHbegsH- sAss.--s-
"Bood- poisoning" he said, "from the
use of face-p sinls is in my opinion not only
an absurdiiy, but it is sheer bumbug, and
any respectable doctor or chemist acquainted
with their properties will tell you so. /
have been on the stage for The past twenty
FIVE year,, and, of course, like every other
actor, had to use them in my mske-Ups."
"Look at my face and judge for yourself
whether 1 am a sufferer or not by their
use. ISCe was SpOiIese
and there were no indications that he had
at any time been 8 sufferer from the use OF
the various paints and cosmetics)
q 1t is claimed that you we're victim of
blood poisoning some years ago while play
ing with Eiwin Forrest"
Yes, there was such a abatement, but il
was a story made out of whole cloth.
never was sick from any such cause.
buy the best kinds of paints and cosme tic,
and have never yet found them injurious.
"Of course, if actor has cut or sore
on his face, the use OF cosmetics causes jrri-
taiion; still, even then / have never been
aft cted with Any disease or ailment on that
account. To be brief, have never known
nor heard of any instance of an actor or
actress being laid up by blood. poisoning.
When l say this, / don't mean to convey
that the use of Chinese vermillion for in
stance, which ia sold for a mere cong, will
not iujure the face or system of an actor
No respectable actor, however, who has any
regard for his health, would buy such stuff"
MR.. DE BELLEvILLE's DENTAL.
Mr.. De Belleville, of the Union Square
Theattr, was found by the Journal reporter
in his snug dressing-room of the theater. He
was at this time "making up" for an old
an's character. 1T was amusing 10 watch
MIR. De Belleville as he deflly used the paste
and cosmetics in order to produce the life
like appearance of an old man. the whole
makeup was concluded in about twenty
minutes. Speaking OF Miss Troy's death,
from alleged use of cosmetics, Mr.. De Belle
vile said: 81 have not suffer, d in any way
from the use Of these paints. OF course, they
have to be prepared of the best Ingredients.
1 pay good price for them, and anybody
who does never need fear from their use."
@Did not your friend, the actor Sullivan,
die from this disease9D
"No, he WAS with me playing with Ran
kin's troupe, and was taken very sick. His
doctor at first thought he was suffering from
lead-poisouing, but a matter OF fact, he
died Of consumption. L have not suffered in
any manner froa the use of the paints either
on this side of the Atlantic or in Europe"
DIR. BAKERS STATEMENT.
DR.. Balzsr. who was found at mis- hous,, 10
L tst Thirteenth street, said: II have had
fully 200 theatrical patients during the past
few years, but have never yet had occasion
10 treat them for what is termed lead pois-
oning, arising from the use of cosmetics or
paints as applied 10 the face. / have read
the account of Miss Troy's death. Aoy one
suffering from blood-poisoning would not be
troubled with rush OF blood to the head,
as she is reported to have suffered, and in
the next place this blood-poisoning would
not come on suddenly. 1t is a work Of time
and month";. A person thus poisoned would
suffer from collie pains. When George /.
Fox, known for his celebrated makeup in
Humpty- Dunapty, became bereft of his reason,
il was claimed that il WAS owing to his free
use of white lead and vermillion upon his
face. Fox made up his own paint, and
many of his friends told him be would pay
the penalty in time. He did not heed their
advice, however. He first ade use of
bismutb, and then a heavy coat of white
lead was employed, which had the effect OF
producing that clear whiteness of his make
up, interlarded with deep strokes OF brillisnt
vermillion. The use of the bismuth de-
stroyed the poisonous effect of the lead, and
in my opinion his mind was not in any
way affected by the use of white .ead
"Of course Nine. Patti and all singers and
actresses, more or less, have to use these cos
meiics, but in lesser degree 10 those of the
sterner sex, but have yet 10 learn that they
ever suffered from these artificial applica-
tions 10 the skin"