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THE ADVANCE. BURFORD. ONTARIO, WEDNESDAY. NOVEMBER 26, 1980 The Poison Shelf by Mel Robertson Part Two It may be surprising in 1980 to know that in 1900 people felt the need to have so many dangerous things about the home. However, an examination of the literature of the day reveals that the home use of these things were recommended by most of the "doctor books" that most familieis possessed. In addition, the turn-of-the-century was a time when the market was flooded with books of do-it-yourself procedures covering almost every family need. Two such books were "Young's Book of Secrets" and "Enquire Within for Everything", copies of which I have. Perusal of these books will reveal many procedures of horrifying danger which were recommended for use around the kitchen table. For example, the recipe for home-made boot and iron polish called for blue vitriol. A remedy for tooth-ache that was recommended most highly included both vitriol and ammonia. A highly recommended "Balm of Beauty" for ladies called for bicholoride of mercury while arsenic was the chief ingredient for a bedbug salve that was applied to beds. People wishing to plate rings or other ornaments in the kitchen sink could do so with a solution containing nitric acid and potassium cyanide while the more ambitious who wished to produce "diamonds" could mix up arsenic with other chemicals. The preservation of eggs called for a bushel of quick lime and white teeth could be achieved by brushing with nitric acid. There are many other recommended procedures of equal danger. It is strange to note that whereas these books recommended the use of so many dangerous things the only warning was that users should avoid inhaling the fumes of potassium cyanide. However, all was not lost for •Young's Book of Secrets" included a recipe for making "Death masks". To people who may be unfamiliar with this term it was a method of pouring wet plaster on the face of a dead person in order to get an impression from which a plaster like-' ness could be made for display on the mantel piece. The immediate question that arises is how did people in 1900 manage to accumulate poisons, drugs and dangerous substances in such variety and quantity. For example, in one of the murders mentioned previously in this article, the suspected murderer was found to have accumulated large quantities of chloroform on the mere excuse of a tooth-ache. The druggist, who was also a dentist, apparently did not bother to ask why the person did not have the offending tooth pulled if it was causing such pain that pints of chloroform were needed to counteract the discomfort. Further, it was found that the suspected murderer had been buying quantities of carbolic acid, strychnine and arsenic "to kill rats" and people began to suspect that the numerous pets that had passed through the house were victims of experiments. The answer to this question seems to lie in the rather loose laws that governed the sale of drugs, poisons and patented medicines which permitted Druggists much leeway in dispensing these things. Many druggists were unhappy with the situation and on May 30th., 1895 Dr. Robert Harbottle, a Burford doctor, dentist and druggist wrote to "The Canadian Druggist" as follows..."! should have wished to see the words •patent' or propietory medicine' defined to include all such patent and proprietory medicines as are included in wholesale and retail lists as such, as some have an idea from the wording of the Act •rendering its uses in doses prescribed dangerous to health and life' that they apply to medicines for man's use on himself. In my recommendation, I mentioned •Rough on Rats' said to consist largely of arsenic and 'Recarnier's Tan and Freckle Lotion' said to contain corrosive sublimate. Both can be used as poisons it is believed, and anyone selling arsenic or corrosive sublimate, whether patented trade-marked or proprietory should register them as poisons so that poisoning may be traced for the public good. As I have been nominated for election for member of the Pharmeceuti-cal Council for Brant, Haldimand and Waterloo, if elected, I shall endeavour to unite physicians, Boards of Health and the general public to get full support for the late Act for the good of the long-suffering druggist and the public" signed Robert Harbottle, MA, MB, MHO (Dominion Archives). In passing, it is interesting to note that when Dr. Harbottle was dispensing perscriptions he employed a rather strange method-if the last drop on the lip of the bottle was a dangerous substance he wiped it on his hair. If it was harmless he licked it from his finger. Nevertheless, in spite of Harbottle's concern over the improper distribution of drugs in Burford, the village was not free from drug-peddling and in the early 1900's the well-known detective Alfred Brown came to the village to investigate such a case. Since Brown was a distant relative, by marriage, of my grandparents, he stayed with them rather than risk suspicion by booking into the local hotel. However, word of Brown's presence soon leaked out and young girl was dispatched from a Maple Avenue residence through the back fields to a local factory. Shortly afterwards her brother made a hasty exist from the factory, also via the back fields and was driven to Brantford "in a closed rig". He took a train to the States and was not seen in Burford for many years. Brown was very close-mouthed about his visit. His only comment to my grandparents was "It's people like him who keep me in business". It would, of course, have been impossible to conceal Brown's presence in Burford as he was well-known all over Western Ontario for his work in the 'Black Donnelly' murders and other crimes of the time. Cont'd on Page 4 Northfield News Mrs. Evelyn Smith spent two weeks in Toronto with her grandson and wife, Mr. and Mrs. David McCormack, who have a baby boy. An all day quilting bee was held at the home of Mrs. Jack Chambers. There will also be another one, Tuesday at the home of Mrs. Clifford Smith. We are sorry to report that Mrs. Bert Carson is in the hospital, and also Rev. Erla Currey, our former Minister. The Bible Study Group will meet this week at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ross Courtnage. We noticed many mail boxes have been broken off as well as a stop sign on the eleventh concession. Mr. and Mrs. Jim Williams Lee and Paul of Listowel, had dinner on Saturday, with Mr. and Mrs. Fred Williams. i^PilB. kitchens Division of The Sanderson-Harold Co. Ltd. 40 Spruce Street Paris, Ontario Tel. (519) 442-3118^ Discontinued, damaged and factory seconds relating to kitchen cabinets, vanities and counter tops. STORE HOURS Monday & Tuesday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed.-Thurs.-Fri. 9a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday 9a.m.-5 p.m. Rabies, which is spread by infected animals, continues to be a serious problem in Ontario. It is of special concern in 'j built up areas where domestic and wild animals are infecting children who come in contact with them. Children should be warned to avoid stray pets, as well as wild animals, especially if they appear sick or friendly because these usually are signs that they are rabid. Pets should be regularly vaccinated and kept indoors at night. You can help to control rabies by reporting to your local police, humane society or health unit any pets or wild animals which are acting strangely. Do not handle your pet with bare hands immediately after it has fought with a rabid animal. Do not touch dead animals. Seek advice from a veterinarian. Contact your doctor or health unit immediately if your child or pet comes in contact with wild animals. If you would like to know more about rabies write for a free copy of our pamphlet. ANIMALS. RABIES AND YOU from the Ontario Health Resource Centre. Queens Park. Toronto. Ontario M7A 1S2. ' • Ministry of Health Ontario Dennis R. Timbreil, Minister