The Thibodaux sentinel. (Thibodaux, La.) 1905-1912, 1910-07-09
THE PEWTER
DISEASE
Phenomena Which Resemble
Diseases of Live Matter.

Diseases OF Live Matter.
A recent report from Berlin to the
effect that a single pewter vessel,
the Bumper of Breslau.' brought
over $4,000 at the sale of the famous
Lama collection very strikingly dem
onstrates the favor which antique
and highly ornate objects Of this ma
terial have regained with collectors
and connoisseurs.
The collecting of old pewter is,
however, attended with certain risk,
for it is strange although little
known fact that this metal is sub
ieot to an affection or disease which
In German is very appropriately des-
lgnated zinnpest .(tin plague).
1t is a well known fact that some
metals are subject to phenomena
which, resembling in their effects the
diseases that attack living organisms
cause them to decompCse or decay.
Especially is this the case with pew
ter, whether as a result Of chemical
changes consequent on it's compost
ton or not is not known. We do
know, however, that If exposed to
low temperature it is liable to I'M
dergo a transformation under the in
fuence of which it is ultimately re-
duced to powder. AS long as the
temperature does not go below GS de-
grees Fahrenheit there is no danger
Even at IS degrees Fahrenheit the
effects are barely noticeable, but to
temperatures lower than this the
metal is decidedly susceptible. This
is the reason why SO small a num-
the period when tin or pewter was
extensively used. Exposed to the
vicissitudes of changing temperature
they have gone to pieces. Even g
cold museum will work their destruc
ton.
Collectors of old pewter who will
carefully look over their specimens
are likely to note the appearance OF
dull, grayish looking spots, almost
non-metallic, and of crumbling dust
character. This is the first symptom
and means that the process of dis
Indignation has commenced and &C
counts for the more or less dilapi
dated condition that occurs in choice
specimens of work in this metal
such as pewter medals, etc. To the
same destructive influence the speedy
corrosion Of tin roofs may be ascrib
ed. Where choice specimens OF pew.
ter work, such for instance as the
highly priced antique pieces by Briot
or Enderlein, dating from the Renais.
sance period and superbly decorated
In relief, are concerned, this would
be a dire misfortune, and the affec.
ton should be promptly dealt with
as soon as Its occurrence is noted
The most efficacious treatment.
though useful only in the earliest
stage. is found to be boiling for
prolonged period in pure water tc
which little soda has been added
and subsequent rubbing in whiting.
Moreover, as the disease appears to
be contagious In character, the care
full examination of all specimens
from time to time and removal OF
any that show signs of infection is
wise precaution for owners to take.
Tin is a peculiar metal, and it is
not surprising that it's alloys should
do strange things. 1t is so extremely
ductile that 1t can be rolled, pressed
Or beaten into thin sheets, as witness
its use in the shape of tinfoil or the
manufacture of the tubes In which
paint, cosmetics, ETC., are put up.
which are pressed at single stroke
Of a powerful press from button
like blank. The metal flows into the
narrow spaces and interstices Of the
mould almost as though fluid, which
Is all the more remarkable when its
decidedly crystalline character Is con
sidered. When piece Of metallic tin
Is bent the crystals strike against one
another with peculiar ard charac
teristic cracking sound. Tin Itself
is inodorous, but II 1t or its alloys
be freely handled I. imports a pecu
liar odor to the hand. One Of the
most valuable characteristics Of tin
is its resistance to the effects Of
oxidation. 1t can be exposed to the
air for a long time withou. showing
any Of the effects Of oxidation, where
as it's alloys-bronze, for instance
soon accumulate q patina by ABSORB
tion of oxygen. A remarkable fea
ture Of the process OF decomposition
in pewter is that the product is not
an oxide or any other combination
Of tin with other elements. but pure
tin, only In place Of being
crystalline it is amorphous.-Har
per's Weekly.