“The virtues of the noble metals are, moreover, of such a nature that they inspire respect even in those who do not seek these qualities in higher spheres, but ask after the common and every-day usefulness of a thing.”——Von Kobell.  
Some consider those metals most precious which, like gold and silver, have earned that reputation by acting in the capacity of representatives of wealth, as the current coins of civilized nations. To some men these have been esteemed more precious than health, or even than life itself; others, calculating on the grounds of utility, have considered iron and copper, so universally applicable to the wants of civilized life, such mighty agents in the cause of civilization, as the most precious of metals; and these may be right in their calculations, for although we might manage to get on without the former, we can hardly imagine for ourselves the condition occasioned by the loss of the latter. There are yet a few to whom it would seem, however strange the fact may appear, that two metals are the most precious which the rest of the world have no idea of considering as of but a very low rate of value, and without which they can readily conceive of the315 world moving on without any very great sense of their loss. These two are Arsenic and Mercury. The very names are almost sufficient to send a shudder of horror through us as we write or repeat them; and to elect them into the highest place in our affections is the last act we should, in a state of sanity, deem ourselves likely to perform. The one suggests images of Aqua Tophana and the Middle Ages, and our teeth loosen in our gums with unpleasant reminiscences of black draught and blue pill as associated with the other. For one we can think of no better employment than the extirpation of rats, or the preservation of mummies; and for the other no more exalted an occupation than to coat the backs of our mirrors, or inform us of the conditions of the atmosphere. That any one could indulge in them as luxuries, or, by their habitual use, elevate them to a companionship with tobacco and opium, with haschish and coca, would appear to be a gross libel upon the “Seven Sisters of Sleep,” and a satire upon the cherished companions of millions of the human race.
 
Medical men, foremost amongst whom is Dr. Christison, consider that these minerals cannot be indulged in without exercising a deleterious effect upon the system. The cumulative action of mineral poisons is a great point of difference between them and those of vegetable origin, for although the same eminent physician is of opinion that tobacco may be indulged in without injury, he does not believe such a possibility to exist with regard to mercury and arsenic.32
 
The use of corrosive sublimate, the bichloride of mercury, is certainly restricted within very316 confined limits, and even within those limits, the information we have is very meagre. At Constantinople, the opium-eater, who finds his daily dose insufficient in time to produce those results which at first accrued from its use, resorts to the expedient of mixing therewith a small quantity of corrosive sublimate, to increase the potency of the drug. By itself, it is never indulged in as a passion in the same manner as vegetable narcotics, nor can the same pleas be urged in favour of its use, or in extenuation of its abuse. An opium-eater at Broussa is stated to have been accustomed to swallow daily with his opium, forty grains of corrosive sublimate without any apparently injurious effects. In South America its use is affirmed to be very extensive.
 
Arsenious acid, or white arsenic, is a more popular irritant than mercury. The arsenic-eaters of Styria are now historical individuals, and the custom there and in the neighbouring districts appears to be a common one among the labouring population. Itinerant pedlars vend it for this purpose, and it becomes a necessary of life to those who commence the practice. It is taken every morning as regularly as the Turk consumes his opium.
 
One of the benefits said to accrue from its use is, that it gives a plumpness to the figure, softness to the skin, freshness to the complexion, and brilliancy to the eye. For this purpose, young men and maidens resort to it, to increase their charms, and render themselves acceptable and fascinating to each other. A friend, recently returned from Canada and the United States, informs us, positively, that it is largely consumed by the young ladies, in those regions of the civilized world, for the same purposes above described, to which it is resorted by the Austrian damsels. He declares that the custom is so common that no317 surprise is excited on discovering any one addicted to its use, and that amongst the fairer sex it is the rule rather than the exception.
 
The principal authority for its use in the European districts, is the celebrated traveller Von Tschuddi, who has published an account of several cases which have come to his knowledge. In one instance, a pale, thin damsel, anxious to attach herself to her lover, by presenting a more prepossessing exterior, took the “precious metal,” in the form of its oxide, several times a week, and soon became stout, rosy, and captivating; but in her over-anxiety to heighten her charms, and rival the fabled beauties of old, and having experienced the benefit of small doses of the poison, ventured upon a larger quantity, and died from its effects, the victim of her vanity. The habit is generally commenced with small doses, starting with about half a grain or less, each day, and gradually increasing it to two or three grains. The case of a hale old peasant is mentioned, whose morning whet of arsenic reached the incredible quantity of four grains.
 
Another singular benefit is supposed to arise from the use of this substance, similar to that claimed by the Peruvians for their coca, namely, that of rendering the breathing easier in toiling uphill, so that steep heights may be climbed without difficulty or exhaustion. It is curious that the mountaineers of the Andes and the Alps, at distances so remote, should deem themselves possessed of the means of assisting nature in surmounting difficulties, by preventing exhaustion in climbing the mountain side: in one instance, by chewing a quid of leaves which grow plentifully on the mountain slopes, and in the other, by swallowing a small fragment of a mineral obtained from the mines at the mountain side.
 
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Whilst the practice of arsenic eating is continued, no evil effects would seem to be experienced, everything connected with the body of the eater seems to be in a flourishing condition, the appearance is healthy, plump, and fresh, no symptoms of poisoning are manifested until the regular dose is discontinued, when a great feeling of discomfort arises, the digestion becomes deranged, burning sensations and spasms are present in the throat, pains in the bowels commence, and the breathing becomes oppressed. From these unpleasant sensations there is no relief but by an immediate return to the habit of arsenic eating, and hence, when once commenced, the use of this article becomes a necessity of life, and the poisonous mineral a “precious metal.”
 
Dr. Macgowan of Ningpo, says, “We are told that Mongolian hunters, beyond the wall, eat arsenic to enable them to endure cold when patiently lying on the snow to entrap martins. In this part of China arsenic is taken by divers, who in cold weather plunge into still water in pursuit of fish, which are then found hybernating among stones at the piers of bridges. We perceive with regret, that the modern Chinese have added arsenic to their habitual stimulants. The red sulphuret in powder is mixed with tob............