ARSENIC IN DOMESTIC FABRICS.
Chronic poisoning by arsenic in domestic fabrics is without doubt an important subject, affecting the public to such an extent as to render attention to the question essential. Serious illness frequently arises from this cause, in some cases even attended by fatal results. A very general effect is a lowered condition of the system, such as to render the individual more susceptible to the attacks of other diseases. Action has been taken by the Medical Society of London, the Society of Arts, and the National Health Society, on the question of the prohibition of arsenic in articles manufactured for domestic use, such as wall-papers, dyed furniture materials, paint, distemper, &c. The fact is remarkable, that although this question has been thus brought prominently before the public, those supposed to be interested in the sale and use of arsenic have hitherto maintained a judicious silence, manufacturers abandoning the use of arsenical colours to a very large extent, instead of defending it. This silence has, however, now been broken by Mr Galloway, M.R.I.A., who deals with the question from a chemical point of view, describing his own special mode of manufacturing emerald green in an article in the Journal of Science. Mr Galloway asks: ‘Has it ever been conclusively proved that persons who inhabit rooms stained with emerald green suffer from arsenical poisoning?’ Notwithstanding the fact that Mr Galloway leaves the question unanswered, as though it were unanswerable, the reply shall now be given—though in certain quarters it is still doubted—that it has been proved, and that by the careful observation of medical men of eminence in all parts of the country.
Proof of the injurious effect of arsenic in domestic fabrics is found in the development of certain symptoms in the patient exposed to an arsenical fabric, followed by recovery on removal of the fabric in question. The occurrence of these circumstances in a sufficient number of cases leads to the conviction that the arsenical fabric was the cause of the malady. We act on similar proof with regard to sewer-gas; no one has ever absolutely seen the injurious action, but the fact of various diseases of a particular character frequently following a discharge of sewer-gas into a residence, has convinced medical men that the gas, or some germ contained in the gas, is the cause of illness, and that it is therefore desirable to exclude it from our homes.
As above stated, the same conclusion is arrived at, from the same line of argument, with regard to arsenic; and this proof alone would be sufficient. But with regard to arsenic, there are opportunities of observing what may be classed as experimental proofs, such as could not possibly occur in illness arising from sewer-gas. This further proof consists in the frequent alternate recurrence of illness and recovery—illness on exposure to, and recovery on removal from, arsenical surroundings, followed by final recovery on substitution of a non-arsenical fabric in place of that containing the poison.
Change of air is in all probability often credited with the benefits arising from removal from some unsanitary condition of residence, office, or workshop.
The effect on men employed in hanging or removing arsenical wall-papers is another proof of their injurious quality: men have frequently to leave their work unfinished, being too ill to continue under the poisonous influence.
Arsenic in domestic fabrics is so easily dispensed with, that there is no valid reason for the continued use of these poisonous colours. Several paper-stainers have for years conscientiously excluded all arsenical colours from their works, yet have still maintained their position in the open market, thus deciding the question both as to cost and quality of non-arsenical wall-papers. It is an interesting question to medical men and chemists, how it is that these minute quantities of arsenic, or of some combination of arsenic with other ingredients, when breathed, should be so injurious, when larger quantities can be taken into the stomach as a medicine with advantage. This question, however, is of no consequence to the patient. His course is simple enough: having found out the cause of illness, get rid of it, and be thankful it can be got rid of at so small a cost.
Arsenic also is found in the dust of rooms papered with arsenical papers, thus proving the presence of arsenic in the atmosphere.
Mr Galloway alludes to a curious and interesting fact, namely, that men can be employed on arsenical works, some without being affected at all, others suffering much less than might be expected. The same singular fact of the immunity of those constantly exposed to evil influences is illustrated in the case of men employed in cleansing sewers; they work continually in the very atmosphere of the sewers, but do not suffer from those diseases which arise from the escape of sewer-gas into houses. No one, however, in consequence of this fact, doubts the importance of good sanitary arrangements, notwithstanding that these involve a considerable outlay. The exclusion of arsenic, on the contrary, costs nothing, and, moreover, there is nothing to be gained by the admission of these poisonous colours into our houses. The simple antidote for arsenic in domestic fabrics is therefore—exclusion.
Those desiring to see further details, illustrative cases, and modes of testing for arsenic, will find them in the pamphlet Our Domestic Poisons (Ridgway), or in the lecture under the same title, delivered at the International Health Exhibition, and published by the Executive Council. For more numerous cases of illness, especially in the families of medical men, see the Report of the Committee of the Medical Society of London.