Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-05-22
Gales aud Sketfhes.
The Carolina Clay-Eaters.
A PHYSICIANS ANALYSIS SHOWS THAT
THE CLAY CONTAINS ARSENIC.

1t has been matter of speculation for
years as to why the ''poor White trash
of central North Carolina ate the clay
that is found in that part of the country.
1t remained for a Philadelphia physician
to solve the mystery. A short time ago
DR.. Frank H. Getchell, of 1882 Spruce
street. went on a cunning expedition to
North Carolina. His quest Tor game LED
him into the wild country back OF Sails
bury, which is inhabited. for the most
part, by a miserable race of beings with
only just enough energy to exc out a
wretched existence. These creatures are
nearly all veritable living skeletons, and,
with few exceptions. are addicted to the
habit of clay-eating.
While shooting wild turkey and other
game in this wild region, DIR. Ge;chell
made an incidental study of this peculiar
habit or vice among the inhabitants. 1t is
a mountainous country, and in the spring
little rivulets start out from the caps OF
snow on the mountain, and, as the days
grow warmer, the little riyulets be come
torrents, and great wash-outs are made
along the mountain-side.
The soil is of a heavy, clayey nature,
but there are strata Of clay that is heavier
than the rest. ard when the water rushes
down, this clay is formed into little pei
lets, and rolls and accumulates in heaps
in the valley. These little pellets and
rolls are what the clay-eaters devour with
as much avidity as a topper swallows a
glass of whiskey.
Among the poor people of this Sec
ton" said DR.. Getchell, yesterday. 1.-THE
habit of eating clay is almost universal.
Even little toddlers are confirmed in the
habit, and the appetite seems to increase
with time. While investigating the mat
ter, entered a cabin occupied by one of
these poor families, and saw little chap
tied by the ankle to the leg of table, on
which was placed big dish of bread and
meat and potatoes within easy reach. The
child was kicking and crying. and asked
his mother why She had tied him up. She
replied that she wanted him to eat some
food before he went out to the clay, and
he refused to do so. The woman con-
tessed that she ate the clay herself. but
explained that the child's health demand
ed that it eat some substantial food before
eating any earth
almost every one met in this section
was addicted to this habit. They were all
very thin, but their flesh seemed to be
pulled out. This was particularly notice
able about the eyes, which had sort of
reddish hue.
'All OF the clay eaters were excessive.
ly lazy and indolent. and all of the condi-
tons combined led me to the conclusion
that there must be some sedative or slim
ulating qualities. or both, in the clay, and
determined to find out whether there
was or not. consequently brought a lot
of the clay home with me. and Prof. Tier
nan and myself made an analysis of the
stuff, and discovered that. instead OF clay
eaters, the inhabitants of Central North
Carolina should more properly be called
arsenic eaters.
''All of this clay contains arsenic, but
exactly in what proportion we have not
yet discovered. Arsenic-eating is COM
mon in many parts of the world, and is
practised to greater or less extent
throughout the world. 1t acts as soda
tive and also as stimulant. The noun
taineers of Syria, Austria, are habitual
arsenic eaters. They give as their rea-
son for eating it, that they are better able
to climb the mountains after eating the
poison, and their explanation is perfect
ly reasonable one, as arsenic acts as a
sedative to the hearts action. The habit
is also prevalent in the Tyrol and in the
ALPS.
at is also said that the peasant girls of
Switzerland and parts of Germany and in
Scandinavia. eat arsnic to give lustre to
their eyes and color to their cheeks, but
this is a matter have not Investigated. 1t
has been show that arsenic or arsenical
fumes are sure cure for intermittent te-
yer
1.-The inhabitants of section of Corn
wall, England, at one time all suffered
with this type of fever; but when the cop
per works were established there, the few
er disappeared This was accounted for
by the arsenical fumes created in the
treatment of copper. AS to whether ar
senic-eating shortens life. am not yet
prepared to say, but intend investigating
the matter thoroughly. Philadelphia
Times.