Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1886-03-04
DRUG FIENDS." /"
WOMEN WHO IMPERIL HEALT I'll
FOR IMAGINARY BEAUTY.
A Druggist on the Danger Of Usi ng
Arsenic for the Complexion
"A Physicians Words
OF Warning.

Brooklyn girls are famous for good
looks, and in Fulton street, on a bright
afternoon, they are to be seen in great
numbers. These girls are the picture of
health, their wind-kissed compilations
are rich in rosy chromatic effects, and
they have clear, laughing eyes and IAN
Of step that proclaim proper OBJ
servance Of hygienic requirements But
while noting these pretty young misses,
as they 60 tripping gaiIy by, the OBJ
servers fancies ara frequently rudely dis
turbed by pictures the very reverse of
those presented by them. The reporter
was making his way through the crowd,
on recent afternoon, in the company of
prominent druggist, and their CONVEX
sation had turned on the appearance Of
the shoppers and promenaders.
"What a number Of the s6ends' are
out to-day" said the dispenser of medi-
cines.
The reporter glanced about in search
of emaciated Cinnamon or other VIC
TINS of the opium habit, but none were
in sight. '.What do you mean2" he
asked
sWhy, these girls and women with
ghastly and colorless complexions
They are arsenic-eaters. We in the
trade know them, as well as those who
slowly kill themselves with quinine
and other drugs, under the collective
head Of 'fends' It's an appropriate
name, too"
"Tell me something about the extent
Of the habit, and the nature Of the
growth Of its results" said the re-
porter.
I'm Brooklyn the habit is mainly con
fined to women and girls of inferior social
station. Among those given to frequent
ing the balls Of low pleasure clubs and the
like, arsenic has many slaves, though
perhaps rot SO many as patent powders
and similar nostrums supposed to
beautify the complexion. They are
all poisonous; and arc bound to
kill in comparatively short time
whomsoever uses them regularly. The
arsenic habit grows insidiously on its
victim. No reputable physician will
prescribe arsenic for the complexion, and
no responsible druggist win recommend
it for such a purpose. The spread of the
habit is caused by those who are sub
ject to it, A girl unfortunately hears
that it is good for the complexion, tries
it, in her ignorance believes in it, and
recommends it to another girl who tells
another and SO on"
"What is the usual doseg" the reporter
inquired.
''For beginners from two to ten drops
of certain solution of arsenic and pot
ash. For the complexion it is usually
taken in that form, though some take it
in its solid form. 1t produces clear
and colorless skin, and the victim, de-
lighted with its effect, keeps increasing
the dose from time to time in the hope Of
achieving still greater results, until final
ly she gets to consuming twenty drops
at dose, which she takes three times a
day. When they reach that stage their
case is hopeless. They grow haggard
and weak, the slightest exertion induces
faintness, and in short time death en-
sues. All women who use arsenic regu-
larly suffer in the same way"
"But in calling all these young women
with colorless cheeks arsenic consumes,
are you not apt to wrong some entirely
innocent ones whose paleness is caused
by sedentary occupationsa" suggested
the reporter.
Every rarely. Sedentary habits,
while making the complexion pale, do
not give it that clearness which arsenic
does. Moreover, naturally pale person
is capable Of blushing. You never saw
slave Of arsenic blush"
Pondering over these remarks, the re-
porter sought physician, who bore
them out in every particular He said
that he frequently was requested to pre-
scribe for the complexion, but invariably
,.af,oad 70 do eo
sT tell all such applicants that plenty
Of soap and water, simple food, regular
hours and proper exercise will do more
for the complexion than all the drugs
that were ever discovered. Arsenic is
deadly Few people seem to know what
q dangerous thing it il to trifle with the
skin. Through its pores we absorb
moisture and other life-sustaining prop
critics. Likewise through them is ex-
uded all waste prejudiciaI to the system.
If by some means, say by vanishing
or the like, all the pores Of the skin
should be closed death would fol-
low very quickly. It would follow
even were the mouth and nostrils unhin-
dered in the performance Of their breath
ing functions. A lady resides in this
city who has the most beautiful complex
ion ever saw. You don't suppose she
obtained il BY the use Of drugsg Not .
bit Of it. Plenty Of cold water, judicious
exercise and Turkish bath once week
were the agencies she resorted to; and
while bringing roses to her cheeks and
clearness and softness to her skin, they
have given her vigorous health as well
How about chloral, morphine and
quinine, doctorl" was asked.
'sAll equally dangerous to use, except
~ y,<,ry, ,,n&ovk ,.l,x,c;