The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1895-03-26
TIE MINING OF ARSENIC.
Care Must lie Observed. but the Work Is
Considered Healthy.


Many points of interest are brought out
In description in n technical journal of the
way in which arsenic is obtained from one
of the most famous mines in England, the
Devon Great Consols. The mine was orig
inally worked for copper alone, and would
have been abandoned but for the discovery
that the waste thrown out as worthless
when the copper was sought proved rich in
arsenic. Although copper Is still raised, It
is in small quantities, and the mine has
been resolved into an arsenic works. The
arsenic pyrtes consist Of % to 80 per cent
Of iron, 12l4 to II per cent of arsenic and
the rest of earthly matter.
After being crushed, this is sorted by girls
from 10 TO l6 years of age. 1t is then washed
and 'iigged' or sifted, and passed on TO the
first calciner, where it is burned with low
class ocal and produces "arsenic soot"-
that is, arsenic SO mixed with smoke SCOT
from the coal as to be n gray color. The ar
senic and SCOT, deposited in combination in
the chimney, or condenser, are scraped out
and taken to the second calciner for purifi-
cation. These calciners consist of revolving
iron drums, through which fire Of anthra-
cite coal Is carried on rotating iron furnaces
kept redhot. As the arsenic SCOT is subject
ed to the influence Of this heat the arsenic
This operation has to be carefully
watched, and If the work burn the ar
senic badly they have to pay for it. Three
men in four weeks will make 100 tons of ar
senic. The chimney in which the arsenicis
condensed is mile long. 1t IA carried on
an incline up a hill, with iron doors in the
side. As the hot blast passes upward it de-
posits a crust of arsenic crystals on the
brickwork all around to depth of from
two to three inches, and minute dust of
crystals falls to the floor. The smoke has
then to pass into an upright chimney 1875
feet high, but just before doing so it has to
traverse shower of water, which catches
what remains of the arsenic, nothing but
sulphurous acid being allowed to escape.
The arsenic is liable to produce sores II
permitted to lodge in wrinkles and folds Of
the flesh or about the mouth and nostris
| AS rule, however, this only happens when
| there Is carelessncss as to personal cleanli-
ness, and the arsenic workers simply have
| to wash themselves thoroughly every day
on returning from work.
Otherwise the work is considered healthy.
| 1t prevents all eczema, and the fumes of
sulphuric acid, as well as the arsenical dust,
are fatal to germs Of the disease. Most
workmen remain Mt the works for a num-
| Der Of years without suffering but occa.
| sionally the symptoms of arsenical poison
| ing-loss Of appetite, nausea, frontal head
ache and anamia 49, declare themselves.
When this takes place, the work has to be
| given up entirely.
The greatest danger to which the work
men are exposed is met when It is necessary
for any purpose to enter the upright shaft.
The effect on the eyes is most painful, and
further curious evidence of the virulence
of the pervading atmosphere becomes man.
ifest. The men wear linen garments lined
with flannel, and the sulphuric acid fumes
completely destroy the linen in few mo
ments, leaving the flannel intact, so that
the men 90 into the shaft in linen and come
out clad in wool. Fortunately it is seldom
necessary to enter the shaft or great loss OF
sight would ensue.