On the colouring matter of the pink and red vulcanite used in dentistry : with remarks on the occassional occurrence of symptoms of poisoning, probably dependent upon the verilion used as a pigment / by W. Bathurst Woodman.

  • Woodman, W. Bathurst (William Bathurst), 1836-1877.
Date:
[between 1800 and 1899]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the colouring matter of the pink and red vulcanite used in dentistry : with remarks on the occassional occurrence of symptoms of poisoning, probably dependent upon the verilion used as a pigment / by W. Bathurst Woodman. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    3 small moment; and medical literature is so volu- minous that it is scarcely possible to be sure of any sucli question of pre-publication. Dr. Sutro's case of poisoning by the vapour of vermilion seems to be one of the earliest in modern litera- ture, having appeared in the Medical Times as long ago as September 27th, 1845. Here, how- ever, it was used as a fumigation, for a cancerous breast. The references in the Appendix, kindly given by Mr. Turner, show that the danger was foreseen as long ago as 1859 ;—being combated by Mr. Putnam, and again in 1866, by Mr. R. Hepburn. It also appears that this matter is being eagerly discussed by American Dentists and Phy- sicians. Here, however, I must remark that my first paper, though not published till December, was written several months before, and in the editor's hands before these American journals reached England. My second disclaimer is of any wish to make a sensational matter of this question. It appears to me evident that the cases I am about to describe are more or less exceptional. In other words, whilst large numbers of patients are wearing and have worn these vulcanite plates for years, only a small percentage of them have suffered at all severely, or perhaps suffered at all. But I believe the public look to you and to the medical profes- sion to guide public opinion, to lead the way to a 2