piratory organs, but out of every hundred employes
at the arsenic works who have died or become disabled eighty- three deaths have been due to respiratory
diseases. It is evident that with such an unusual
proportion of one particular disease in the most able-bodied portion of the community there must be a
definite existing cause.
No doubt that a very minute amount of arsenic may pass through the nostrils and down the throat, but what is far more prejudicial than that is the sulphurous acid which cannot be excluded by the handkerchief and lint, but passes freely through both. This is extremely irritating to the mucous membrane. But the fact of working for hours with the breathing impeded by the wraps about mouth and nose is probably the leading cause of the mischief.
Suggestions of remedies have been made, but none practical. A mask has been proposed, but this does not answer, as it causes sores, and is difficult to keep clean.
Devon Consols produces about 150 tons of arsenic per month; Gawlor, 100 tons; Greenhill, 50; Coombe, 25; and Devon Friendship about the same. In all about 350 tons per month. This to the workers is worth £10 per ton, or a revenue to the neighbourhood of £42,ooo per annum.
In S. Mellion parish, on the Tamar, finely situated, is Pentillie Castle.
The original name of the place was Pillaton, but it was bought by a man of the name of Tillie in the reign of James II., who called it after his own
