The Russellville Democrat., 1885-08-20
ON poIsoNs IN THE HOUSE.

In the popular mind poison is gen.
orally regarded as substance with such
powerfully noxious properties that if
even minute quantity be received into
the system it will speedily act upon the
body with such violence that probably
the issue will be fatal While the idea
is to some extent correct, it is quite an
imperfect definition of that class of SUBJ
stances capable of destroying life, some
of which act rapidly some slowly; some
of which are dangerous only in large
doses. some deadly even if taken in the
smallest quantity.
People, as rule. are perfectly aware
of the poisonous properties of arsenic,
vitriol, sugar of lead, hemlock, labur-
mum, and many more substances OF a
similar nature; but none the less must
we regard as poisons in the true sense
of the word such familiar and much
used substances rs carbonate of soda,
tartaric acid, elder flowers, etc. In the
former case the effects produced are al
most immediate and violent; while in
the latter the action is slower or a
larger quantity is necessary to produce
the same effect upon the vital organiza-
ton.
At present, however, we have no in
tention of discussing poisons in their
ordinary aspect, our purpose in this
paper being to point out the existence
in almost every house of. poisons which
in various forms are lurking in dis
guise, and doing injury to many, while
their presence may be quite unknown
and never even suspected.
Undoubtedly the commonast skeleton
in the house is arsenic. The law has
wisely put restrictions on its sale, for
every one who sells this substance is re-
quired to make record of the full par
ticulars of every sale, and only persons
who are known to the vender are to be
supplied. Bnt this has reference only
to arsenic pure and simple; for man
ufacturer may with impunity sell any
article in the preparation of which
arsenic has been used, or into whose
composition it enters, and SO we find it
present in many articles of everyday
use or ornament.
Its combinations produce beautiful
coloring materials, especially green;
hence it is used in printing Wallpapers,
carpets, chintles. ribbons, and colored
paper and card-boar Its presence in
wall-pa ers, especially of bright
green. is so extremely common that it
is quite an exception to find such wall
decorations free from it, and expert
ments have been made which clearly
prove that arsenic gradually vaporizes
from these colored surfaces. and dis
seminates through room-in many
u,all Zoo tnI M vaS IN tha In, ,,,,,,
of the occupants who have breathed the
poison-laden air. Bright green patterns
of Wallpapers should therefore be re-
garded with the greatest Of suspicion,
from the probability that their
beauty is due to this poisonous materi-
al, and especially should care be taken
that the paper on the walls of bedrooms
is quite free from it.
But the danger of arsenic-poisoning
is not confined to its presence in our
Wallpapers. There it is to some extent
suspected; but even with our walls of
polished wood. or tapestry-covered, we
may be poisoned quite as readily. and
without the least suspicion, while read
ing by shaded lamp.
Lamp shades are frequently made OF
still paper. the outer side of which is
green. as being the easiest color for the
eyes; but while commendable thought
lessness is evident in the select on of
the color. tie same consideration is
certa My not shown in the materials
which produce that pleasant hue, for
In numerous instances the green pig
ment has been found to contain large
amount Of arsenic. The fact of itself is
sufficiently alarming; but when we take
into account the heat of the lamp,
which greatly assists in the ventiliza-
tion Of the arsenic. we see how danger
Gus such useful articles may become To
persons in the room, and especially to
those who may be sitting close to
them.
An equally unthought-of source Of
danger has been shown to exist in coll
ored hat Innings; and although we do
not believe that there Is much cause for
alarm on this score. the following case
Is interesting as showing that such dan
ra0llsy Ifae nv ~ A n l. a