The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-02-19
ARSENIC EATIAG IN THE WOODS.
FIcnds In laundering Crcw-t Lake OF
Youth and Beauty.

LAcU1NB. Canada Feb ls.lt is rather
surprising to find confirmed arsenic eaters
among the mmbernen Of the North Woods
of Canada, 1t appears that a middle aged
foreigner who passed for Galician and
worked AS an expert aXeman in one OF
the shanties. attracted the attention 81
his fellows by his youthful appearance,
freedom from sickness at all Gmes. and
ability 70 endure fatigue and TO keep his
wind upon long tramp- through deep snow
or in the teeth OF gales
He attributed these virtues to the use
of a tiny bit Of u white substance with
which he dosed himself three or four times
a week The name he gave the stun. hid
rak. communicated nothing OF its character
TO the others.
Adventurous companions were soon
willing, indeed anxious. TO buy the drug
from the owner but found they could
obtain only minute portion At time
They were strictly cautioned as TO the
use of it. and began with little morsel
the size of pins head. Gradually the
dose was increased until double that
amount was taken. The Galician him
self took bit the size of large garden
pea.
All tHe men WHO hdu OttH Nbt7blDhSp
report that the first dose produced burn
ing pains in tn stomach. sore mouths,
vomiting and feverishnoss. When these
symptoms passed feeling of exhilaration
and strength was experienced and greater
zest was added to the appetite,
1t was noticed that when the grip be-
came epidemic in it, intestinal form the
hidrak eaters. and they alone, escaped
it's ravages altogether. So with other
ailments The fame of the medicine cons
sequently spread in the district
Andrake Minskiniske. the Gahcan. was
the only source known for the drug. and
though his charge was high he was not
at all anxious to dispose of any of it. The
probabilities are that he had in some sur
T pitious manner obtained possession Of
large quantity OF the drug in his own land.
and feared lest he should not be able TO
get more in this country.
Men who used It for some time found
that without It they became subject 10
violent palpitation Of the heart, dePres-
sion Of spirits and irritabi'y The craving
for IL would not be satisfied
So long as they used II, the most intern
perately disposed had no desire Tor in
toKicating liquors. They experienced again
tenances had all the bloom Of health They
could work without fatigue. The most
quarrelsorne among them had no desire 70
be unamable.
AZ it happened. one Of these men had
warm regard for the medical man who
attended his family and told him OF the
precious drug he bad discovered. The
doctor looked into the matter and tOund
that the man was an arsenic hend, who IN
his two years use OF the drug, had trained
himself TO take something over six grains
daily Of pure srsenious acid-more than
deadly dose 10 one not habituated 10 its
use. Most OF the men used similar guam
tity daily or every other dav. as the case
might be- as each one felt the need OF it.
The doctor has taken steps to put stop TO
arsenic eating in that neighbornood g..
There is a stream in Cumberland IN Great
Britain. which still bears its ancient name
Of Whitbeck or the Brook Of Wisdom,
which contains arsenic in apprecisble
quantities. The water is fatal 70 fish and
ducks soon die II allowed regular access
TO 1t. The children living near il are said
20 be remarkable for their rosy faces and
the people for extreme longevity.
In northern Ontario. or New OntaTo.
as it has come TO be called. there is deep
lake which seems to possess SomeT nat
similar properties. Though OF great clear,
by waterfowl A family living near the
outlet OF this lake always attract the atten-
ton Of the hunters who pass that way.
because Of the beautiful compilations Of
the children and the mother. An amateur
chemist thinks he has discovered traces Of
arsenic in the lake, and the writer has no
doubt that all the members OF that beautiful
family are unconscious arsenic eaLrs.
little while ago one of the boys was
sent 10 n boarding school near Saut St
Marie, where he sickened mystenously
and died the doctors thought Of nostalgia.
but more probably from being suddenly
deprived Of the arsenical water which
he had been all his life accustomed 20 usc.