Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1886-06-11
In n Lucifer.Match Factory.

1t certainly Is unfortunate that an in
vention which has been so valuable to
the household and, indeed, in all cases
where ready light is desirable, should
bring into the world with it so much
disease. The makers of lucifer matches,
large numbers Of whom reside in Vien-
ma, were some years ago attacked with
a most singular diseae-the rottihg
away of the jaw-bone. Together with
this ugly and most disfguring COM
plant there were always symptoms
present which denoted the presence Of
poison in the blood. After careful in
quiry the cause of these singular attacks
was traced to the PHOSPHORUS employed
in making the matches. How ii could
attack the bone was at first puzzle 10
the physicians, but it was at length dis.
covered that the poisonous fumes gained
admission to the bone by means of de-
cayed teeth.
Some Of the German governments en-
deavored to meet the difficulty by ex-
amining the mouths of all persons EN-
ployed in lucifer match factories, and
dismissing from employment any artisan
who had unsound teeth. This, to cer-
tain extent, met the case; but inasmuch
as it is impossible to give every work.
man clean bill of health with respect
to his morals the remedy, or rather the
preventive, was not thorough. Some
twenty years ago the disease also ap-
peared in New Haven, and a medical
expert was instructed to investigate the
matter. After making a careful inquiry
he discovered, out of fifty-nine patients,
fifteen died, and the others were greatly
disfigured by the destruction of the up
per or lower jaw; in some cases both.
1t is impossible to picture a more dis
figuring disease, or one which leads TO
greater discomfort, inasmuch as in many
cases the speech is destroyed and also
the process Of mastication.
The only effectual method Of obliter-
ating the disease is to get rid OF the
phosphorus, or Of so altering its charac-
ter us to deprive its fumes of their dead
ly virulence. The common spirting
match is the greatest offender in tins
particular inasmuch as it contains tie
most PHOSPHORUS. Those matches made
of amorphous PHOSPHORUS, or phospho-
rus baked for u certain period OF time,
are believed to be harmless. Many at
tempts have been made TO produce
matches from this substance in connec-
ton with chlorate Of potash, and at last
with success. The combination, how
ever, only takes place in the act OF strik-
ing the light, the utmost danger exist
ing in any attempt to combine them per-
manently together. The safety match
is made principally of chlorate of pot
ash, mixed with black oxide of manga
nese, red lead, sulphuret of antimony
and glue, while the amorphous phos-
phorous is placed upon the box Instead
of the ordinary sand-paper, and the
contact of the two materials produces
the light.
1t is unfortunate that light can only
be produced with the box, as working
men do not care to be troubled by carry
ing one about. Until this difficulty is
got over, this excellent invention, CAL
culated to get rid of most distressing
disease, will only be used in the house,
hold, the ordinary match that will strike
against any rough surface possessing
advantages over it which the rough and
thoughtless will demand. 1t is quite
clear, however, that for all domestic
purposes, the old match ought to be
given up.-Brooklm Eagle.