Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-08-10
HIS sight PERMANENTLY AFFECTED

william II. Pierson, Jr., Seriously Burned
by an Explosion of Chemicals While
; Putting up II Prescription in Drug
stvre--His Eyes seriously Injured and
the Sight Permanently Anected--How
the Accident Was Caused.
A chemical explosion occurred at the
drug store of j. 5. Beetem, Seventh and
Market streets, a few minutes before 10
u. m. yesterday week, resulting in
perhaps permanent injury to William
II. Pierson, Jr., drug clerk, son of
William II. Pierson, sash dealer, at No.
AL West Front street. The explosion
was purely ali accident, liable 10 hap
pen in the best regulated drug stores in
the country.
Mr.. Pierson, who is 10 years old and
lives with his father at No. 1871 Wash
ington street, has been in the employ Of
Mr.. Beetem little over month. He
had previous experience, however, in
another drug store. Wednesday he was
instructed to compound physician spre-
scription which was needed at the earliest
moment, and therefore considerably
moro haste was exercised in the prepard-
ton of the prescription than during
| ordinary circumstances. Two of the
constituents of the prescription were
chlorate of potash and hypo.phosphate
| Of soda, the two forming combustible
compound more or less liable to explo-
sion.
| Mr.. Beetem had carefully, prepared
the ingredients Of the prescription and
| placed them before the clerk behind the
prescription counter. The latter took
the pestlo in his right hand and began
mixing the chlorate of potash and hypo-
phosphate of soda in the mortar. Mr..
Pierson stood just behind the prescrip-
ton counter, while Mr.. Beetem was at
tending to some work close at hand.
Suddenly the chemicals in the mortar
exploded, emitting a dense column of
smoke, and causing a low, rumbling
sound. The flame and smoke flew
directly in the. clerks face, severely
burning his cheeks and forehead, and
also burning the flesh on the right arm
until it was almost baked. The eye
brows were completely burned OIL, and
the hair was singed. He instinctively
closed both his eyes the moment the ex-
ploslon occurred, and this probably pre-
vented the instant destruction of his
sight, although it is feared his vision has
been permanently impaired.
MIR. Beetem escaped with a few severe
burns. He paid no attention to his
own injuries, but Immediately went to
the assistance of the clerk, and at once
began dressing the young mans wounds.
1t is probably due TO his iprompt treat.
ment that the young mans injuries were
not more serious, although they are bad
enough.
The clerk was removed to his home
in cab, and afterwards attended by
n Dr. j. Paul Lukens, the family physi-
clan. DR.. Eliegood was summoned to
look after the injuries to his eyes, and
later DIR. Read j. Mckay was called in
consultation preparatory to the clerks
removal to his home. William Ii. Pier.
son, ST., was also summoned, and in
formed of his sons injuries.
DR.. Ellegcod at .irst expressed grave
fears that the sight would be perms
nently impaired, but subsequently,ex.
aminations have led the ooulist 10 de
clare that there is hope OF the sigh
being partially restored, although il
} will ever be dim and partially obscureC
by mist.
A fortunate feature of the accident il
! the fact that the young man escaped in
haling the fatal fumes, which frequently
, carry with them almost certain death.
, The accident caused considerable ex
! cAement at the time Of its occurrence
and shook the building from top t
. bottom. The windows ratified and thu
} walls quaked perceptibly. The smok
Q issued from the drug store and filed thu
I hallway leading to the upper stories
7 causing some OF the occupants to be
lieye that fire had been started in tn
( basement.
s A young man named Crossan raj
5 down TO the drug store and looked afte
S matters, while Mr.. Beetem devoted hi
g attention to the care of the injuret
: clerk, His injuries once dressed, tn
:, young clerk ceased moaning, and eK
: pressed great relief from his painful
/, burns about the head, face and arms
/, His flesh turned almost completely blac
;. from the burns. He was removed to hi
,. home, where the best Of medical treat
ment has since been applied, and it
l thought he is now on rapid road to rt
s covery, with the exception Of his sigh
/ which may never be fully restored.
4