THE DANGERS OF JARRAH TIMBER.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 7444, 27 April 1903, Page 4

THE DANGERS OF JARRAH TIMBER.

Mr James Freybcrg, ex-Government Timber Expert, writes to the Post as follows:—"It will save much unneccwsury pain and suffering if the men who may be employed to handle the wood and lay the new paving of our tramways are told that both jarrah and karri owe their toughness and durability to the presence of an active irritant poison that water brings into use, and the carbonic acid in rain-water specially developes; therefore the men with cuts and sores and even scratches on their hands must beware of blood-poisoning. Tho danger is generally greatest in rainy weather. Splinters from the wood ought to bo removed from the hands instantly, and in all cases of sores, swelling of the arms, or anything abnormal a medical man should bo immediately consulted, as many cases occurred while I was in London, where the men would havo lost their amis if tho surgeons and medical men had not come to thoir assistance. Tho sawdust and shaving of theso two woods, if allowed lo get into running stroams, will poison all tho fish, and this is sufficiently indicative of its action on man. But whilo these timbers ate carefully handled and do not como in contact with actual abrasions of the skin very little risk is incurred, especially in dry weather; but when tho v>'ood has boon exposed to continuous rain the caso is very different."