Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1894-07-03
DANGERS IN FLOWERS.
Their Od0rs HurtfuI to Health, and Each
 Has It's Specific Menace.


 Has Its Specific Menace.
 Science has succeeded fairly we'll in making humanity shudder over every bite or sup it takes because of the dead Ly microbes that are said to abide in everything eatable or drinka ble, and Qow it has started off on an entirely neyv crusade. You musn't smell flow ers now, or, if you do, you take the eon- sequences which science says this ses- thetie pleasure entails.
 A very learned French specialist. M. Joal. lately issued in Paris treatise bearing the title "Le Danger des Fleurs.s He writes most profoundly of the chemical decomposition of the atmosphere caused by the odors given off by flowers, and the eonse- quent great increase of carbonie gas; of the partial asphyxia which results to human beings breathing this gitiated air; and of the poisoning of the system caused by inhaling the emana= tions of the essential oils contained in flowers. He backs up his assertions as 5o the subtle viciousness of flowers by
 ,iting individual cases.
 M Joal says the smell of flowers is es- 1 pecially injurious to vocal organs. The rose, and all flowers with strong scent, should, he protestes, be avoided He knows of operatie singers who have
 completely lost their voices through their passion for certain flowers. To sone persons the perfume of the violet Is particularly injurious. Others should avoid the lilac and others the gardenia, Personal susceptibility has much to do with the injurious effects that may re- suit from smelling certain flowers, and NJ. Joa1 can not. therefore, say what particular flowers should be avoided by certain temperaments.
 The writer cites a case Of young
 woman who used invariably to faint at
 the smell of orange blossoms. The curious conjunction of a susceptible 1 young woman and bridal wreath in this illustration might lead to the sup position that there is more in the case than Nj. Joai makes apparent He tells of soldier who lost consciousness up- der the effect of the odor from peoxg, and alleges that persons have been 1 known to suffer a violent attack of coryza from smelling roses. It is sug- 1 gested that a great percentage of the 1 headaches, colds in the head and the ! like ailments from which people, es' 1 pecially women, suffer on the morning after attending ball, dinner party, or
 other social function, is direct result of the odors of the floral decorations.
 This will, at least, be useful in supply l ing a new excuse to the man who wakes
 up in the morning with "a head" 1 As to the evil effect of flowers on the
 voices of opera-singers, the teacher Faure in his work on the voice and singing cautions singers against keep
 ing flowers in their homes or in their
 dressing-rooms at the theater. Mme. 1 Richard, of the Paris opera, forbids her
 pupils to have flowers about them, and
 it is asserted that Mme Krauss, one of
 the star singers now at the opera, res
 fuses>to stay in room with bunch of
 violets. Another singer can stand the
 smell of roses, but the perfume of li- laes makes her hoarse Even Mime.
 Caive is cited as saying that she suffers
 from dizziness and headache after sit I ting in room containing tuberoses or
 mimosa. She is quoted as giving an instance where, after singing at a con-
 cert, she received bouquet of lilacs, and after inhaling the perfume min
 ute or so. she completely lost her voice, and did not regain 1t until she had taken walk in the open air.
 This suggests a serious consideration
 of the cuitom of presenting bouquets of flowers to singers, or of sending boxes
 of flowers to one's best girl. In fact, if NJ. Joal knows what he is talking
 about. sciences new crusade means
 revolution, as well in the world of fancy
 as in that of fact.--N. Y Sun.