Document 7MmL688nQYnZg7Xw83Mo9dYaR

NOTICE. TNs material may be protected 6y copyright law (Title 17. U S. Code). 10 PAINT,.OIL AND DRUG REVIEW The Manufacture of White Lead How the Great Psiot Pigment it Made--Early History of Its Use (Concluded from Dec. 17.) Chamber Process.--The chamber process is largely used on the continent of Europe. As yet. only one English company operates this method, and has done so since 1898. In America the chamber process finds no application. In Germany the method has absolutely displaced the Stack process: hence one frequently hears the process discribed as the "German Chamber Method." As previously stated, the process is frequently ascribed to Creed, who obtained a patent in 1749, but the surges* tion cannot be regarded as serious, as no commercial de velopment followed the patent and for other reasons. The patent of an American, Burton," in 1858, may be regarded as the first patented process in which the chamber process is clearly indicated. This has only historic interest, and the real development of the process is due to German workers. The method is closely related to the Stack method, the differences being concerned solely with the means adopted for the more rapid and complete corrosion of metallic lead. The corroding chambers are brick constructions, in which strips of lesa are hung from horisonta! supports, and a mixture of air, steam, acetic acid, and carbon dioxide sup plied through floor inleu. The composition and tempera ture of the mixed gases can be controlled to meet varying conditions--a feature of importance, and one which, when ideal conditions have been ascertained, is of great value. Corrosion is effected at a temperature of about 60 deg. C., and is complete in about 50 days. Before opening the cham ber, it is the practice to blow in steam to damp the corro sions, thereby preventing the creation of dust during empty ing. The chambers are emptied by hand, and the succeed ing processes adopted ere similar to those adopted with the Stack product. Notes on the "Chamber White Lead."--Chamber white lead has certain characteristics by reason of the process adopted for iu manufacture. Iu color is excellent as no source of discoloration is normally present. Corrosion is usually more complete, L e., more metal is corroded. In certain esses the product is more bulky than the Suck product but it is impossible to generalise in this connec tion. ' Krem's Process.--This process can be described as be ing intermediate between the Stack and chamber process, as it resembles both in certain respects. The process is used only on a small seals principally in Austria. Kretn's white is a product valued for iu good color, which feature is consequent not only on the process adopted, bat also on the extreme purity of the metallic lead used. The quantity marketed is not sufficient to render it necessary to detail the process in this paper. Miscellaneous Processes.--Under this heading we have to record the few survivors of a very large number of processes which were designed as improvemenu on the buck process. ' The only process applied in* this country on say con siderable scale other than the chamber or Stack process, it the "Bischof' process which is now in the possession of The Brimsdown Lead Co., Ltd, Middlesex." In outline, this process consisU in: (1) The preparation of lead monoxide from metallic lead in cupeilation furnaces. (2) The reduction of lead monoxide by mesne of water gas to e black suboxide of lead. . (3) Oxidation and hydration of this suboxidc to lead hydrate. (4) Subsequent conversion of the lead hydrate into hydroxy-carbonate in special carbooators with pure car bon-dioxide, using lead aeettte as catalyst, It is claimed that the process gives absolute control of the composition of the final product, and in so far is unique, a sutement borne out in practice. The product has s well* .established position in the English market. Another type of process which is in operation on a small scale in England, Germany, and Italy, depends on the direct oxidation of meullic lead by air in the presence of lead acetate, the basic acetate of lead so obtained being subsequently treated with pure carbon dioxide, or purified flue gases from the burning of coal or coke in order to ob tain a precipiute of hydroxy-carbonate of lead. The quantity made by this type of process is small. They are adaptations of the original Thenard or Clichy process, and are novel only so far as the methods adopted for obtaining a basic acetate solution. Use is made of lead in powder form, in ribbon form, in so-called "feathered" form, the object-of such variation being to obtain large surfaces for interaction. In some cases tne solution is effected under pressure. Carter Proems.--This process is successfully applied in the U. S. A. and Canada. The idea of the process is to in crease the rate of production of white lead from metallic lead by following the interactions of the Suck process as follows: Lead is granulated, then placed in revolving drums. Acetic acid and water is sprayed into the mass at intervals, whilst flue gas containing carbon dioxide is forced through the mixture. This is continued for six days; then the mass is disintegrated to prevent balling, and the carbon ating process continued for another six days. The car bonated product is levigated to remove unchanged lead, and then Alter pressed. Msthmon Proems -- By this process some 4,000 tons are made yearly in the U. S. A. Tne process was invented by Dahl, and is similar in principle to the Carter process, but the method of application differs. Hebrew Process*--This process is suted by Falk** to be in operation on s very large scale in certain parts of Russia, especially at Yaroslav. Litharge containing 25 to 40 per cent of metallic lead* is intimately mixed with 4 to 5 per cent of solid lead acetate, moistened with water, and thrown into compact heaps of 5 to 6 cwts. After 24 hours the heaps are sliced as fine as possible, and the material spread on linen stretched on frames, and placed in an atmosphere containing carboo dioxide, often derived from a coke fire in the room itself at a temperature of 100 deg. Fahr. The percentage of car bon-dioxide is kept low, as*it is found that a better quality product it obtained under these conditions. After three days' exposure the shredded material is taken out of the room, and formed again into compact heaps, and allowed to stand for one day, water being added to bind the mate* rial. The process of throe days in the frames and one day in the heap, alternately, is continued from three to five months, the amount of water added being increased as necessary. * The materiel undergoes a series of changes in color, ultimately becoming white, and the process is complete when the material docs not show gritty litharge or metallic lead if rubbed down between the fingers. The material is not washed, but mixed with water and kneaded by hand until ir forms s homogeneous paste, which is allowed to dry in conical or plate form. It is sttted that this product is preferred by buyers in northenrand eastern Russia and in Siberia, and, further, that in spite of its grey or yellow color, when used as a paint it dries up white. . The hygienic aspect of the process will not bear in vestigation, and one is not surprised to learn that each factory has its own doctor, dispensary, and hospital .. All processes as yet described have involved die use of lead acetate as catalyst There is, however, one process, vis., the Rowley or mild process, which is in use iu the U. S. A., where this is not the cast. The process is as follows: Molten lead is converted into an impalpable dust by means of s spray of air and steam. - Tha black sludge so obtained is then agitated in the presence of air and water. fJL77/71. 9/3 PNYC 00013222 T` N13404 PAINT, OIL AND DRUG REVIEW II that producing t so-called hydrated lead The composition mixed paint, although as yet the latter trade is not de- of this hydrated lead seems to be variable and uncertain. veloped'in England on a scale comparable with that in the After a certain length of time the hydrated lead is removed by elutriation from the metallic lead end the purified lead - Chemistry of White Lead and Its Manufacture.--It is hydrate is directly converted into hydroxy-carbonate of apparent in all the processes now in operation, save the lead by means of carbon-dioxide in rotary carbonators Mild process, that the formation of white lead is dependent without the use of acetic acid It appears possible that on certain interactions taking place between metallic lead, the mechanism oi the interactions involved may be similar to that described by Clowes** as taking place under certain conditions when lead is exposed to air, water, and carbon- acetic acid, water, carbon-dioxide and air, and that the final product is a hydroxy-carbonate of lead. I have deliber ately chosen the expression "hydroxy-carbonate of lead" dioxide because I consider it is the only correct designation we can The processes described cover the whole range of those apply in our present state of knowledge. now in nse on the large scale As yet the electrolytic pro duction of white lead has not been commercially established. rrior to 1774 white lead was considered to be a com pound of calx of lead with vinegar, i. e., a compound of The processes io far described have differed in the oxide of lead with acetic acid. In 1774 Bergmann (1755 methods adopted for the production of what is known as 1784) investigated the product chemically, and- as a result white lead pulp, i. e, a paste of white lead containing water terms it "luftsaurer blei-kalk," or "calx plumbi aerata," in varying quantity. It must be noted that white lead at which in the Englsh of the period was "fixed air and lead this stage should be free of lead acetate, a condition effected calx," meaning at the present time carbon-dioxide and lead by washing with water, either in filter presses or by decanta oxide. tion. At this point the methods adopted by all manufac turers become common, and vary only in detail. The next important inquiry made was that of Kochstetter (1829-1884) and Liebig (1808-1874)** who inves White lead is sold either as a dry powder or as an oil tigated the chemistry of the process of white lead manu paste, containing from 6 to 9 per cent of linseed oil. facture. carried out in the Stack method, and expressed their The drying of white lead is carried out in driers of conclusions in a series of equations, which they considered various types, e. g., continuous band driers, drying in pots as explanatory of the chemial changes taking place, via.: on shelves, vacuum driers, steam-heated copper pans. The whole aim of the manufacturer has been to effect the dry ing and handling of his dry material in such a manner as to prevent the creation of dust, and the dangers attendant thereon. I show slides illustrating some of the types in (1) 2Pb+2H#0+0,--2Pb(OH)r (2) Pb(OH)J4-2CHllCOOHcPb(CH,COO)l-f2HfO. (3) Pb(CH,COO),+2Pb(OH). --Pb(CH,COO)f2Pb(OH)t. (4) 3CPb(CH.COO)t2Pb(OH).)-MCCX --2[2PbC0,Pb(0H),H:3ft(CH,CCXt-MH,0. White Lead Paata.--Oil paste in this country is pre It it obvious from the above that lead acetate acts as pared by one or two processes, either by the old-fashioned a catalyst and that white lead is considered to hsve the method of grinding the dried powder in linseed oil, or by composition 2PbCO,Pb(OH)f> a compound of two mole the newer method known as "pulping." The older process cules of lead carbonate with one molecule of lead hydrate. is familiar to all, and requires no comments, but the new The formula appears to be usually accepted as -correct. method has not had the publicity it deserves, and in some Acetic acid is the acid which has come into general use, cases the published statements are inexact, and, to my because it is s commercial commodity and very effective mind, prejudicial to the advance of a method of working in action. It it difficult to understand why patents were which ranks as one of the greatest hygienic advances in the taken out for the use of butyric, valerianic, propionic, and manufacture of white lead daring recent years. The method other expensive and not more effective agents. adopted is to take white lead water paste direct from the Personally, I feel that the processes operative, not only filter presses, and to mix the same with a predetermined in the Stack method, but, indeed, in all processes, are to be quantity of linseed oil in a special png mill or mixer. After explained by interactions other than those suggested above. about half an hour's mixing the mats suddenly changes in Liebig and Hochstetter were the first to recognise that appearance, and it is found that tha linseed oil has dis- white lead was a compound of carbonate and hydrate of filaccd tha water in the paste, so producing a white lead lead. It is curious to notice how the old ides that white inseed oil paste, from"which the free water can readily, be lead is a mechanical mixture of hydrate and carbonate of drained. Simple draining does not effeet complete removal lead still persists in certain quarters. Harland and Wig- of water, ea a certain quantity is mechanically retained by net** claimed to have shown this to be the case, but all the paste, and in order to remove this the machine it closed modem evidence is against their statement. It is by no up, and evaporation of residual water is carried out under meant uncommon to near stated that the hydrate portion reduced pressure at a carefully regulated temperature. The of white lead gives it the spreading power, whilst the car mixer is heated by steam jackets. This method is capable bonate portion supplies only opacity, and that the value of removing the whole of the water mechanically retained, of white lead it the arithmetical relationship between these and I taka this opportunity of correcting statements which constituent parts. Unfortunately this is not the case. It have been made to the effect that pulped whim lead invari was with much surprise that I found in a reputable English ably contains a considerable quantity of water. I have publication** the following statement: examined a large number of samples made by different "White lead is s mixture of carbonate and hydroxide makers, and find this not to be the case. of lead, and always contains soma combined water. It will be realised that the process described obviates In sUproeesses, with the exception of the mild process, the preparation of dry white lead, and in this respect its the rational appears to be the same, and it becomes neces hygienic value is evident. I feel that tha process of pulping sary to consider the action of carbonic acid on basic acetate it worthy of more extensive application, and if adopted of lead, in order to elicit some information as to the first would contribute largely towards the reduction of risks stage in the process. . to workers. The preparation and handling of dry white I am fnlly convinced from experimental work that the lead is by no means an enviable occupation, and I should decomposition of basic acetate of lead does not follow the be glad to tea this branch of the industry decrease, as I steps indicated by the above equation, and that the first am unable to see the real necessity of dry products being product is a hydroxy-carbonate of lead having a lower supplied in many directions. The sale of white lead water carbonic acid content than ia indicated by the formula, paste or damped white lead is much to be preferred. I and that this lower carbonate of lead subsequently takes notice an increasing tendency on the pert of certain users up carbon dioxide, thereby increasing its COt content. to specify that their hitherto dry products shall be damped It ia necessary that this should be so, inasmuch as white in oider a prevent dust--a practice of great hygienic value. lead is known, and is on the market, containing less car There is some disagreement as to who was the inventor bon dioxide than that demanded by the prescribed formula. of the process of wet pulping, it being ascribed to Lefevre Thompson (loc ctt.) is of the opinion that the first of Lille, and to Expert Besancon of Paris.** The process product of precipitation is a bask carbonate, plus a quan smears to have been first worked in England by Ismay** tity of bask lead acetate. It appears to me that white lead about 1895, and. since that time the principal improvement, ia a mixture of hydrated carbonates of somewhat varying e. g., vacuum work, is of English origin. composition. This is indicated by the observation that if After incorporation of the white lad with oil. as before a corrosion is taken from a stock, the composition of the described, the paste is passed through granite roller mills, crust varies from the outside inwards, the external coating and pecked ready for the market, or converted into ready- containing more carbon-dioxide than the coating nearest PNYC 00013223 12 PAINT, OIL AND DRUG REVIEW to the lead, indicating that the external coating, having are to be ascribed to the presence of this organo-mctailic been the first formed, naa undergone a process of carbons* compound. Long storage of the paste before use is sup tion. In some corrosions, 1 have found that no layer con posed to increase the extent of saponification, and the so- tained sufficient carbon-dioxide to satisfy the simple formula called superiority of old white lead is explained on these ZPbCO. Pb(OH),. , ^ lines. Hannay** first challenged this assertion, and stated If a suck corrosion is continued too long, or if, indeed, that he was unable to detect the presence of any such any process is carried out too long, a normal carbonau is compound, and, further, that he was able to wholly extract formed, which is useless as a pigment. linseed oil from a linseed and white lead paste. Harland1* It is not possible here to discuss fully the chemistry disputed the statement of Hannay, and in 1907 sn investiga of the processes or products, but I wish to protest against tion was made by Davis and myself*1 in this connection. the present day worship of the empirical formal* for white We found that it is impossible, even after prolonged ex lead which are so frequently encountered, varied occa traction, to wholly remove fatty matter from the solid pig sionally by landscape gardening designs of so-called (though ment, and, further, that the extracted linseed oil invariably quite unjustifiably) constitutional formula. Whitt lead is contained lead, although, in each case, the extent of inter the product of a series of interactions, which proceed sim action is extremely small. Further work indicates that the ultaneously, with the result that it has a complex chemical phenomena is to be explained in the following lines: composition, and it is not possible from a chemicql analysis to determine its value as a pigment. For recent discussion as to the formula of white lead, see Falk44, HoP* and Sacher**. White lead is not a product of uniform sise, and it is probable that many of its valuable properties can be at tributed to this. It is also probable that the poor qualities of the products prepared by precipitation by means of al kaline carbonates may be ascribed to the homogeneity of the product, and, further, that all successful processes are such that the hydrated carbonate first forped remains in an atmosphere of carbon-dioxide, and undergoes further The free fatty adds of linseed oil are partly converted into lead salts. This is proved by the decreased acid num ber of linseed oil after extraction from such a paste. The presence of organk matter in the extracted pigment is to be explained bv the formation of-- (1) Lead salts of saturated fatty acids, e. g., stearic acid, and the like. (2) By the formation of lead salts of unsatufated fatty acids, which have undergone oxidation since forma tion, both classes of salts being insoluble in ether or the usual solvents. carbonation. The lead which is invariably found in the extracted oil It must be pointed out here that the term "precipitated is due to the formation of soluble lead salts from the on- lead" has of late years acquired a very narrow and incor rect meaning. In the ordinary chemical sense, all white leads are "precipitated," being the solid products derived from the interaction of carbonic acid gas and bask lead solutions; even though the amount of liquid present in the stack and similar processes is small, the precipitation is just as real. The final product depends on conditions of precipitation, and full knowledge of this difficult phase of the problem is necessary before any satisfactory process saturated fatty adds, an! I am of the opinion that inter action takes place entirely between the white lead and the fret adds of the oil. I have not been able to detect saponifi cation. It is obvious that the quantity of organo-mttallk salt produced is extremely small--in normal cases well tinder 1 per cent, and I consider it absolutely proved that the old saponification theory is untenable in the face of re cently ascertained facts. It seems to me by no means im probable that the formation of even this small quantity of can be produced. compound throughout the whole combined mass would Thompson,*' by the use of an ingenious elutriator, has have a beneficial result, and I have found that the spate been able to separate white lead into constituents of vary type of change takes place when beak sulphate of lead .is ing size. The following table shows the fractions obtained, ground in linseed oil. v the word "cone" being used to designate a receiver for The exteffV of interaction' is increased by storage to a * each sized fraction: certain extent, but, as previously mentioned, the total Conn 1...................... .................3.42 per cent change taking place is comparatively small. 2.:..^..^......... '............ 6.41" " 3.................:--................ 6.61 " " 4............................../ Finer than 4............. .......................... 74&t~m' ^ ' Some years ago, a theory was formulated in which a paint film was likeded to concrete, and this theory has been responsible for the suggestions that the rigidity of a paint film might be increased if a pigment of various sized par ticles be prepared, so as to obtain what is known as a rein forced effect. I know from personal experience there ap pears to be some advantage in mixtures of products of vari ous sizes, but there is no doubt that the reinforced theory is overdone by some of its exponents. ^ - * ` It is' suggested on what appears to be s sound basis that the changes taking place daring storage are pro duced immediately when wet pulping is resorted to. This may, or may not, be the case. As yet I cannot express sa opinion. I think with Holley (loc. cit.) that prolonged storage may induce physical change to a certain extent not yet appreciated, and ft is by no means improbable that the effect of pressure as is produced by the weight of the superincumbent bu s s is not to be disregarded. The ultimate composition of a white lead linseed oil skin has not been investigated with soy accuracy, and I am unable to state whether in the process of drying saponifi cation takes place,' and that the resultant film may be con sidered to contain a large quantity of lead lineoteatt. The real use of photomicrography is well illustrated Whitt lead has certain uses other than for painting; by Thompson's work in distinction to many imaginary uses e. g., pottery glazing, manufacture of colored pigments, etc, to which this valuable method of inquiry has been applied in certain directions in connection with paint materials and their application. The difficulty of preparing a repre sentative sample of certain products is enormous, when their heterogeneous character is considered in relation to hut it is estimated that in England only about IS per tent of the white load used finds application for purposes other than for paint making. ' It is often stated that white Iced is frequently adulter ated, 6nt this is not the cnee in-England It has been my the size of sample required for microscopic work. I do not experience that the bnlh of die white lead circulating gen wish to be misunderstood in this connection. No one erally is dot seriously adulterated. In England makers realizes more than I the value of this comparatively new have agreed to a recognised, scale of so-called reduction. method of inquiry, and my remarks are to be considered as which consists in' ths addition of barytas, in standard a protect against the present tendency to photomicrograph amounts, as indicated' by- thi various grades of reduction. anything and everything related to the paint industry, with' English white lead, containing any adulterant, is known total disregard of the elementary factors governing such as ^reduced white lead,** sa expression perfectly under an inquiry. stood by both maker and buyer, whilst the purs artick is Sabin's** gingerbread story bar a wealth of meaning. sold as "genuine English whits lead"--a title of unmiatah- It is a comparatively simple matter to make a photomicro graph, but the true interpretation of the photograph is often Thert is no donht that years ago adulteration- of whits a very difficult problem. lead took place to a considerable extent, hot largely owing In the past, considerable discussion has: taken place to the action of white lead manufacturers themselves, this on the supposed saponification of linseed oil by white lead, has decreased. Ia the interests of the trade, the White when the twQ.are ground together in the form usuailyi Lead Section of the London Chamber of Commerce under marketed. It is frequently held that interaction takes .place take the analysis of any sample of white lead, fmedficharge, with the formation of a lead salt with the fatty acids of the and....s..h..o..u..l.d..'...a..d..u..lttraaoa h` e -piroved, will undertake : the oil, and that many of the valuable properties of white lead PNYC 00013224 PAINT. Oil AND DRUG REVIEW 11 Analysis of Whitt Load The analysis of white lead is worthy of some little at* tention in a paper of this description, because it is necessary to draw yoor attention to the venr unsatisfactory position of affairs frequently obtaining in England. ' .In divers text-books methods are given by which the 'painter is supposed to be able to test his white lead for purity--the two most frequently found being the "burning test'* and the "solubility test*' The following quotation from a recent (4th) edition of a well-known work is typical: "White lead may, of course, be tested for quantitative adulteration by analysis, but there are many rough-dnd- ready tests based on chemistry that will suffice for the to discover whether he is getting genuine white - white lead with earthy matter added One of the easiest is to put some white lead in a ladle and convert it into blue lead by heat, weighing both the white lead and the resultant piece of metallic lead, and comparing notes and noting whether any dross or earthy particles are left in othLea lIaajdIIlea uimncoonnvnesrstedA. lIifatLhAe mwLhIistea lead is pure, 2it* saWhaoauIlJd weigh about 10 per cent more titan the lump of blue lead recovered from the ladle, the 10 per cent representing the weight of the oil in which it was ground. "Another method is to mix the paste white lead to a paint with sulphuric add, using a glass jtfab and a thin atrip of glass. If the paste mixes into a smooth paint with out effervescence and the production of vaporous fumes, it nay be regarded as pure. Dry white lead may also be tested for earthy matter by dissolving it in nitric add. Any sediment that will not dissolve is china day, barytes or a similar adulterant The test should be conducted in a small phial or test tube." Reviewing the mystic rites in the order quoted, it is rioos that: ' (1) The "burning test" as described would procure the condemnation of any lead product containing less than 100 per cent pure metal on the dry material, so that white lead with its SO per cent of metal would be severely taxed to secure approval on this basis. (2^ Is inexplicable, particularly as to the "vaporous 2^2^-FINE LAMP BUCKS' kb thrill WMa C. "STS! (3) Is chemically unsound. Any soluble adulterant would not be revealed, no mention is made of the necessity for preliminary extraction of oil, and finally, as no strength of acid is named, the insolubility of lead nitrate in nitric add is ignored. . The painter should stick to his painting and leave the chemist to do the analysis, and so save the vexatious waste of time which white lead manufacturers suffer through the application of rough-and-ready tests of the above type. The ordinary analysis of white lead consists in the de termination of the punty or extent and nature of adultera tion. and the PbO CO^ and HfO content of the material, coupled with a determination of the nature and quantity of the oil, acetate of lead and uncombined water. For methods see Walker *, Davis and Klein-, Thomp son-, and Holley-. Hygiene. I now come to the subject of lead poisoning--a ques tion much in the public eye during the last few years, and one quite worthy of considerable attention. It is unfor tunate that owing to the efforts of sensational writers, of A Book for Manufacturer and Dealer . THE Scientific Price Maker^Profit Determiner Noone who buysor sells cmn afford to be without this book. Instantly determines the price at which an article must be sold to secure a certain percentage of profit Th e Sc ie n t if ic Pr ic e Ma k e r a n d Pr q f it De t e r min e r CO-'S J.W C \f .V Scientific--Accurate--Simple No figuring to be done; no doubt as to the correctness of results. It's as Easy asReading Thu book i published ia two volumes, but Volume 2 if the most complete, containing 28 tables with prices computed on the cost of doing busineet of from 7%to 34%ot filing price end the price at which goods must be sold to yield s net profit of from 1% to 25%. Price oi Volume S, till Net Order Now from the Paint, 00 &Drug Review PNYC 00013225 14 I'AJ XT, ulL AX'D DRUG REVIEW This is another style of the Star Jacket Can family GALLON FLAT TOP 9 In the flat top "Star" the edges of bottom and top project over jacket, pro tecting and strengthen ing it Nozzle is furnished with . a pouring lip which is converted into a spout by bending up the sides/ ... 9 Welded wire hoops and same general style as shown in cone top. ` . ' WELL MADE AND TO SELL AX A REA SONABLE PRICE. American Can Company NEW YORK Ckkags Smm Frmaciaoo WUk Omem hi Al U#r* CMm . well-meaning but uninformed philanthropists, and, finally, of professional agitators, the true position of affairs has been successfully obscured, and one not infrequently meets people to whom the terms white lead and certain death are synonomous. The figures I propose to lay before you are not the re sult of my own imagination. In every case they are official figures**, obtained from official sources, and are therefore capable of verification or refutation. The poisonous character of lead and its compounds has been known since very early times. Hippocrates^ (460 B. C.) describes lead Vitruvius (100 B. C.) was cognisant of the danger of lead poisoning from water conveyed in leaden pipes. Dioscorides (about 100 A. D.) speaks of lead poisoning, whilst Pliny*r not only states that lead poisoning was known in his day, but that the workers in lead and mercury products tied up their faces in loose bags lest they should inhale the per nicious dust. Raphael, Correggio, and Michael Angelo' are stated to have suffered from lead poisoning. Ramazzini** in 1713 discusses very fully the sickness of painters, etc., through contact with lead materials. Probably the earliest English record of lead poisoning amongst white lead workers is that of Sir Philiberto Ver- natti**, who, in a paper, "A Relation of the Making of Ceruse/' describes the method of manufacture in use by the Venetians. In addition to describing the details of manu facture, he records the symptoms ot lead poisoning, stat ing. "The Accidents to the workmen are, immediate pain in the Stomack, with .exceeding contortions in the Guts, and Costivenets that yields not to Cathsrticks, hardly to often repeated Oysters: best to lenitives. Oil of Olives, or strong new Wort. It brings them also to acute fevers, and great Asthma's or shortness of breath. And these we find effected principally by the mineral steams in the casting of the plates of lead, and by the dust of the flakes. Also by the steams coming from out of the heaps when the pots are raking up. "Next, a vertigo, or dizziness in the head, with con tinual great pain in the brows, blindness, stupidity, and paralytick affections, loss of appetite, sickness, and fre quent vomitings, generally of sincere phlegm, sometimes mixed with eholer, to the extreamest weakening of the body. And these* chiefly that* have the charge o( grinding, and over the drying place.** ' * A remarkably comprehensive survey and one capable of being applied to practice of today. . It was not until 1891 that the English Government ac tively investigated the question of lead poisoning in. white lead .world, and since xhen .very satisfactory results, have been obtained. *1 .. '' i Taking the official figures supplied by the Home Office (representing the period during which notification oi lead poisoning in white lead works has been made compulsory) we find that a remarkable improvement has been effected in the health of the workers. This satisfactory, result is due to the hearty co-operation of the Home Office officials and the manufacturers. During the peat IS years manufactory hava.spent over SJQfiuO on alterations and dost removal plant, in order to render more healthy the conditions of employment**. Briefly, the protective measures adopted are as follows: (1) Education of workers to s true appreciation of the dangers to which they an subjected. . (2) Provision of overalls, sdeqoste washing' applii ancea, and > baths* respirators, medical supervision, and nourishment. ... (3) Exercise of.care in selection of workers, having doe regard, to the problem , of natural predisposition, getn eral habits and akohoHsfea. * (4) Elaborate precautions for the prevention of dust, with minimum personal handling of dry lead products. The foregoing have been earned into effect as follows: Education of Worker*--By meant of pamphlet, stating :n clear and. simple language the poisonous nature of au lead .products, how these may e**ter the system, what prim ary effects appear, and what precautions should be taken. The pamphlet is not an elaborate medical treatise.,but is ' worded fa plain, bhini English. * * - V * : ' l* * Overalls, Washing, Etc--Each worker is required to wash before meals (in the employer's, time), and must bath* PNYC 00013226 PAINT, OIL AND DRUG REVIEW IS weakly. Overalls are provided and washed weekly. Respirators are used on dusty work, and these are cleansed at least once each shift, or more often if necessary. Medical inspection takes place weekly, but here much de pends on the worker, as there is a marked tendency to be secretive in their replies to the queries of the doctor, fear ing. that preliminary symptoms might prejudice their fur ther employment. . Nourishment in the form of cocoa or milk is provided for each worker before starting work, and at meal times. Experience has shown that milk is of the greatest possible value, and this has almost entirely dis placed the old-fashioned sulphuric acid drink, which was of questionable value. ' Simple medicines such as Epsom salts, castor oil, and sulphur tablets are provided, and in one English works so dium sulphide pill* have proved to be very efficient, due to the comparative insolubility of lead sulphide in gastric jukes. Incidentally it may be mentioned that Goadby" has observed that Italians who are engaged in white lead works seldom contract lead poisoning. It is noteworthy that Italian workers do.not drink much beer, eat a lot of rough food and vegetables, and a large quantity of garlic (the sulphur of which appears to be highly beneficial). Selection of Workers.--This can only be a gradual process, A worker can never be judged by his face value as a Mad worker. Medical'inspection weqds out the ob viously unhealthy and undesirable employes, but gives no positive indication of suitability. It is only by careful ob servation of the man at work that "dirty'* workers can be discovered. This observation ia made by a reliable worker of foreman status, who acts as inspector, and instructs the new worker as to the methods of avoiding the creation of dust m his work. The employment of casual labor is dan gerous, and should be avoided. Dr. T. M. Legge**, in the pedal report of 1896, re* white lead works, gives the inodence of lead poisoning amongst casual labor as 19 per cent, against 6 per cent for regular employment The home conditions of a man are often a safe guide to his suitability for employment Good home conditions meangood nourishment ana habits.' The efficiency of regulations has been dearly demon strated by the results obtained both in England and on the continent, and it is quite certain that lead poisoning ia amenable to regulations when the sources of trouble can be defined. Attention has recently been drawn in the public and technical press to a process devised by Gague for the elec trolytic removal of lead from the human system, and it is claimed that very striking results have been obtained. Oliver4* describess the process and method, and states that he has earned out experiments which have proved the value of the process. The meth od adopted is to immerse the arms and legs of patients in baths of salt solution, and to past a current of electricity through die baths and patient. Actual removal of lead from the system is claimed, and it ia stated that metallic lead is deposited on the electrodes which are in contact with the extremities of the patient The process purport* not only for die removal of lead from those suffering from the disease, but further from those in whose system lead may be present without exerting any apparent ill effects, so that the method might become part of a preventative system. If the results claimed receive confirmation after extended inquiry, then a powerful weapon has been discovered, with which lead poisoning may be readily combated. It must be here stated that Oxley*4 in afctual lead works practice has failed to obtain satisfactory results, and the universal efficacy of the process is still to be established. Before any problem of industrial hygiene can be suc cessfully solved it is necessary that careful statistics should be available. A very striking example of this is brought to light m connection with lead poisoning amongst workers in paints and colors. In 1902 Legge** made an analysis of die processes, and found that 72per cent of the cases of Iced poisoning must be ascribed to dusty processes--an observation of fundamental importance, and one which has received emphatic confirmation by the decrease in cases consequent on the introduction of dost removal appliances. Lcggr* ia 1909 was able to report a decrease of cases dur ing tnc preceding ten years, consequent on the introduction of dust removal appliances. . In a recent report of the factory inspector*', it is ststed during the lest six years two-thirds of the cases of lead poisoning ia East London stick works have occurred amongst men working in stacks where it hss not been found possible to apply the principles of exhaust ventilation. To those engaged in the white lead industry this observation is important, and I shall be much mistaken if before tong an improvement is not effected in this direction, knowing as I do the difficulties whkh have been overcome in the past. It is only within comparatively recent times that lead poisoning has been subjected to stnet inquiry on s scientific basis, and the results obtained have been of the greatest importance, not only in respect to the disease itself, but also in dearly defining and determining the relative dan gers of the channels of infection. Goadby** is of the opinion that the industrial im portance of infection by respiratory tract as against infec tion per gsstro-intestmal tract is to be expressed by the ratio 100 u. In other words, "dust** is the serious source of trouble ` This is a strong argument against the manufacture of dry white lead, and emphasises the hygienic value of the wet pulping machine previously noted. The general adop tion of the "wet pulping" method would be beneficial to all concerned, and is worthy of the attention of those con cerned with the handling of dry white lead. I add a list of works dealing with the hygienic phase of lead work in the hope that it may be of value for refers ence. It is impossible for me here to discuss the use of white lead, and I must content myself with a passing reference to a recent phase of the subject which has led to consider able discussion recently. You are aware that since Feb ruary, 1911, a Departmental Committee of the Home Office has been sitting to consider the use of lead products by painters. The report of this committee is awaited with a considerable amount of interest t . In-the meantime some very wordy battles have been waged .between the partisans ofwhite fefid and substitutes. I fear-that much time lias been, wafted and little real prog ress made. Prohibition has been lightly talked of, with out any consideration as to the far-reaching effect of such an act even assuming that statistical evidence was available showing that the sickness rate amongst painters was so high as to suggest that ft had become expedient to con sider such an action. In point, of fact no such evidence is as yet available in this country. To my mind prohibition of the use of white lead is a tacit admission of inability to. deal , with the problem of ordinary * Industrial hygiene. Prohibition is an effective, grossly unfair method of dealing with any problem of an unknown character, whieh, if-applied logically, would un doubtedly be the most .serious barrier to industrial progress which has ever yet been devised. . It is obvious that a white lead* worker handles in the course of s day at least as much white lead as is handled by tbe average painter in a year, and it is elesr the risk of white-lead workers is much more intense than that of the painter. * .' The previously quoted figures show with what success reasonable regulations have reduced the poisoning in white lead works; and-it is only reasonable to suppose that the same success would attend the application uf regulations to those engaged in the use of white lead. There ia real need in this country for investigation as to the respective merits and demerits of various paints, and I believe that makers generally would welcome such an G. SIEGLE CO. JL ROSBBANK, S. I. NEW YORK - C. P. Chrome Yellows " Chrome Greens " Chinese Prussian " Milori Blues PNYC 00013227 16 PAINT, OIL AND DRUG REVIEW inquiry. In the United States of America extensive trials have been undertaken**, and much information has been obtained, but unfortunately we are unable to apply their results in this country owing to different climatic condi tions. although doubtless their experiences will be of ex treme value as indicating the lines on which experiments should take place, and Mr. H. A. Gardner, of the Institute of Industrial Research at Washington, has kindly offered to give the advantage of his experience if similar inquiries were undertaken in this country. 1837, 831. Hochstetter, Journ.fiir Prakt. Chem., 18, 3, 127. Ibid. 26, 338. "Harland and Wigner, Analyst, I. 208. "Notes on Properties and Ingredients of Commercial Paints, compiled by the Science Standing Committee of the Royal Institute of British Architects. London, 1910. Falk, Chem. Zeit.. 1910, 34, 567. "Hof., Ibid, 1910, 34, 784. "Sacher, Ibid, 1910, 34, 1261. In conclusion. I desire to state that it has been neces sary for me to draw1 largely on the publications of others in the preparation of this paper, and to alt whose works I have consulted 1 beg to make acknowledgment. It is im possible to give names in detail, and 1 append a bibli ography of works bearing on many of the points with which ! have dealt so that originals may be consulted. References. "Thompson. Proc. Amer. Soc. Test. Mat, 1910, 10, 1. "Bottler and Sabin, German and American Varnish Making. Wiley, New York. 1912. 208. "Hannay, Chem. News. 67, p. 268. "Harland, Ibid. 67, p. 301. 'Davis and Klein, fount. Soc. Chem. Ind., 1907, 26. Walker, Bureau of Chem., Washington. Bulletin 109 revised. "Burton, Eng. Pat. 260/1858. "Ramsay, Int. Congr. App. Chem. Rome, 1906. "Falk. Chem. Zeit, 1910, 34. 557. "Davis and Klein, loc. cit. * "Thompson, Joura. Soc Chem. Ind., 1905, 24, 487. "Holley, Analysis of Paints, &c. Wiley, New York, "Clowes, Proc. Chem. Soc., 1902, 18, 247, 46. "Petit, Manuf.. &c.. White Lead and Zinc Pigments. Scott Greenwood. London, 1907. "Ismay. Eng. Pat, 23969/1895. *'Liebig. Hand-Buch der Reiner und Angew. Chemic, "Reports of Chief Inspector of Factories, 1899-1912. "Pliny, Lib. 33, cap. 7, sect 39, Sillig's Ed. . Paint Notes From Kansas City Why Buy the **Ncar Brand" when the Best is Procurable ? THE L MARTIN CO.'S Old Stundar d, Fcu;K', Pyramid and Globe GERMANTOWN LAMPBLACK j.V'/v IS THL bEST IN t OK ( >Vl K M\ 1 V > I AR> " A`N VT V: The L. MARTIN CO. II . v - 1 . ^ 1'' ' ; : %; *sr l a : :v i sj MTEISQI, BMINUI A IIW lb tt r*ta tweet, US*YOftK Huihuii Kauri Ovm, Manila Oum Pamir Oum, Coonnimt OH, Wood OIL Stttlemsot of MoDonnld Company's Difficulties It Ezpeetsd . (Special to the RjtvxtwL) Kansas City, Mo., December 24,1913. ' Prospects for an amicable settlement of the financial difficulties of the McDonald Paint fit Glass Company, of Kansas City, are growing brighter steadily, according to a recent announcement by President W. M. McDonald. Settlement is being effected with many of the creditors, while the offer made by the.company ts being considered by others. Prospects are that the storm will be weathered and that the pioneer house will regain its former footing as one of the leading paint companies of Kansas City in the very near future. Kansas City was deserted by many paint men for the holidays. A number of the members of the trade have warm spou'in their hearts for other cities and took advantage of the opportunity to spend a feuf days in the midst of friends. M. E. Jacobs, assistant manager of the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company, and secretary of the Kansas City Paint, Oil and Varnish Club, spent the holidays at his old home in St Louis. C. R. Cook, head of the paint company of that name, went to Milwaukee, Wie., and H. S. Lynn, sales manager of the SeMlits Varnish Company* spent the festive season with bis daughters at Peoria, III. Meetings of the Kansas City Point Oil and Varnish Club, suspended for the holidays, will be resumed early in January. The dob will continue to meet at luncheon every Tuesday at one of the Kanaas City hoatelriea. Damages of 14,000 were awarded Joseph M. Higgins, a plumber, against the Devoe-Reynolds Paint Company re cently for personal damage injuries said to have been sus tained by him. The case probably will be appealed. Hig gins alleged the janitor turned on the steam while he was repairing a pipe, severe scalds resulting. Rumors to the effect that die Santa Fe railroad would close down its coach paint shop at Topeka, Kaa^ for the winter, are unfounded, according to an announcement by officers of the road. The shop, employing several hundred mer., was closed down lor one day, because of the heavy Christmas travel, but fibeady baa re-opened, and will con tinue to be a heavy consumer of pamt during the winter. The C R. Cook Paint Company, which recently took over the old A. M. Hughes Paint Glass Company, will discontinue the retail establishment at 1213 Walnut street, Kansas City. A doting out sale was staged during the holidays, with splendid results. - i.i PNYC 00013228