Arsenic Eating and Arsenjc Eaters.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 358, 10 April 1889, Page 3

Arsenic Eating and Arsenjc Eaters.

Ik 1875 a congress of naturalists assembled at Gratz, inStyria, when the subject of arsenic-eating came under discussion j and , two men, whom public report ' affirmed to ' be inveterate arsenic-eaters, . were ' brought ! .before the congress to be examined. , One came from Stainz, the other from Leigist'; ', they were vigorous, well-built men,' and no ' apparent injury ,had been done to their ! constitutions by the amount of the poison ' they had consumed. According to -their, account they had taken to the habit to protect them from infection and to assist their digestion. To the astonishment of the naturalists, these men swallowed before their eyes several grains of the poison, sufficient to have killed any two who had not become accustomed to it. The poison is bought by the peasants as rat ' poison ;, the foresters also have it, as arsenic facilitates the running of bullets and shot in globular form ; and from these men it can be sometimes procured. The pedlars also dispose of it secretly. There is, however, a good deal of difficulty in obtaining regular supplies, and the traffic in it is kept secret. it is said that the manager of a Salzburg arsenic manufactory, who began at seventeen with three grains, in his later years was able to consume a3 much as twenty-three grains at a time, and that he reached an advanced age. - This seems incredible ; but one who intimately knows the people writes : ' I have found arsenic-eaters in the neighbourhood of Elisenerz, in Ju den burg, at Koflach, and Voitsberg. In the valley of Suhn this poison is largely used, and is derived from Carniola. At first it is taken in small particles, or in the drink,, or strewn as a powder on ' bread or bacon, once a week, or even two days, in very email doses, gradually increasing the amount to ten grains, and even as much as twenty grains, taken daily ; and those who take it have assured me that it makes them strong and lively, that it gives brightness to the eye and a youthful appearance.' In the conscience of the people, the indulgence in arsenic is regarded as sinful, and the clergy use their utmost influence to hold the habit in check. Doctors dissuade from it. Lovers make inquiries, before they commit themselves, whether the girls of their choice are arsenic-eaters, for even the most ardent lover will draw back it he thinks that the girl he desires to take to his heart and home keeps a supply of deadly poison always by her. But priest and doctor, and public opinion and private conscience, are powerless ; to prevail on one who has acquired the habit to break it oh* ; for to give up arsenic means to wither and die. It is said that wives gradually accustom their husbands to arsenic, the man being unconscious chap he is given it ; and the woman's object is to have her husband r :> completely in her power that, if he gives her occasion to be jealous or angry, she withholds the amount put daily with his food, and his collapse is certain. It id also said that on more than one occasion farmers or their wives have taught their servants to take arsenic, and then have held them in their power. The servants are afraid to leave, or ask for an increase of wages, lest they should be denied their daily dose, and so prematurely decay. Whether the cessation from takingarsenic is certainly fatal can hardly be said, as it is difficult to obtain statistics and accurate observations in there cases, but the prevailing conviction is that if the dose be intermitted the cheeka fall in, the hair loses its gloss, the eyes grow dull, and the health tails altogether. Death rapidly ensues unless the medicine be again promptly resorted to. The arsenic - eater is said to be known by the brightness, but somewhat metallic lustre, of the eye, by nervous excitabiliby and irritability, by transparency of complexion, and plumpness of flesh. Even when advanced in age, the arsenic-eater preserves an unusual freshness of appearance and absence of wrinkles. Medicines have no effect on ai'seniceaters, and many a one addicted to this habit ends hi& days by an overdose taken purposely to relieve him of pains which the physician is "'unable to overcome. — ' Sabine Baring Gould, in Cassell's Magaizne. 1