FOOTNOTES:
[1] Vide an admirable series of papers on this subject in the volume of this Journal for 1843, by Dr Calvert Holland.
[2] About ten miles east from Edinburgh.
[3] Generated from the decay of vegetable and other substances in the formerly wrought pits, which communicate with those at present in use.
[4] It is proved, from the difference in the chemical character possessed by the melanotic matter, as compared with the matter found in the lungs of miners.
[5] It will be observed, that, though the small blood vessels are destroyed, no hemorrhage takes place, owing to the formation of a carbonaceous plug.
[6] The air of the coal-pit is so charged with carbon as to prevent the collier from distinguishing his neighbour when at work.
[7] Note from the evidence of a collier examined before the Government Commissioners in 1842, No. 147 of Report. "Colliers in this part of the country are subject to many oppressions; first, Black spit, which attacks the men as soon as they get the length of 30 years of age;" second, Note 150, "The want of proper ventilation in the pit is the chief cause, and no part requires more looking after than East Lothian," the men die off like rotten sheep. Note, 153, the witness, 32 years old, says, "I am unable to labour much now, as I am fashed with bad breathing—the air below is very bad, and till lately no ventilation existed."
[8] The black sputum retains its colour after being submitted for some days to the action of nitric acid.