I searched last night, but could not find the source. However, I distinctly
remember reading somewhere that people working in the armour industry
performing gilding were amongst the lowest paid in the process, and it was
known that their job (driving off the mercury) was dangerous.
Steve
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [log in to unmask]
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Peter Hutchison
> Sent: Monday, September 04, 2000 11:45 PM
> To: Arch-metals
> Subject: First Metal Poisioning Death
>
>
>
>
> Richard
>
> This is a difficult question. I am sure that the poisonous nature of lead
> and mercury fumes has been recognised for a very long time. The
> early lead
> smelters must have died of the cumulative effect.
>
> In the notes to "de re Metallica" the Hoovers quote Pliny (XXXIII, 40)
> "Those employed in producing vermilion cover their faces with a
> bladderskin
> that they may not inhale the pernicious powder, yet they can see through
> the
> skin"
>
> To quote Brunowski "Life .... was hard, brutish and short" and
> early death
> from metal poisoning probably went unrecognised for many centuries.
>
> I am sorry that I cannot be of more help.
>
> Peter Hutchison
>
>
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