The
intestinal colic from which workers in copper suffer differs again from
the colic which affects workers in lead, in being attended with extreme
prostration, and profuse diarrhoea. But the duration of copper colic is
short, and the prognosis favourable. Frequently the hair, and beard of
these copper-workers become green as grass; though the texture of the
hair remains as soft, and glossy as before.
In September, 1905, Dr. J. Cavendish Molson wrote a letter, which appeared in The Morning Post, to
the following effect, " In view of the possible spread presently of
cholera to this country, it will be opportune to know of a simple,
safe, and certain means of preventing infection by this formidable
disease. Take a piece of pure Copper, of the size of half-a-crown ; and
about one-sixteenth of an inch in thickness. Perforate this, near its
edge, so that the disc may be suspended by means of a silk thread, or
cord, from the neck ; and let it then lie in immediate contact with the
abdomen, next the skin, about two inches above the navel. The
attrition of the disc between the skin and the garments will ensure
the absorption by the skin of sufficient Copper to render the wearer
immune from attack. When cholera is in a locality, or during an
epidemic, the disc should be worn continually. This piece of Copper is
not a charm, or fetish, but a scientific prophylactic, and is
recommended on the ground that cholera is absolutely unknown among the
workers in Copper mines. " In 1894," Dr. Molson goes on to say, " I
visited St. Petersburg during an epidemic of cholera, and wore a disc
similar to the one I have described, without contracting the disease. I
there met Baron Fredericks, who informed me that he used the same means
with like
