Spessart Roots - A History of the People of a German Forest
Because of the natural elements in Spessart Forest and the long-burning Spessart oak trees for fuel, mining and glassmaking were major industries in the Spessart woods. These industries were however fraught with danger for the workers.
Smelting at the Mines
The Dangers of Mining:
Possessing a wealth of ore and mineral deposits, areas of Spessart Forest were especially rich in copper. Copper mining in the region, however, was labor-intensive, for copper here appeared in combination with other minerals and elements, which made it difficult to process and smelt. Further, the sulfur dioxide fumes created during the smelting process caused extremely unhealthy working conditions. The noxious fumes could lead to chronic respiratory problems and to bronchitis. Exposure to this dangerous environment began early, since many miners began as young boys. The ore going to the pits generally traveled through tight galleries that only young boys could fit into.
Glassmaking No Less Dangerous:
As with mining, glassmaking contributed to serious health problems of the workers. Inhaling silica dust during the blowing process worked havoc on lungs. The particles clung to and irritated the lung lining, leading to a build-up of scar tissue and gradual loss of lung capacity.Worse was the effect of mercury used in mirror backs. Poisoning by this element caused dizziness, shakes, coughs, skin lesions, stomach pains, and loss of hair and teeth. Managers rotated workers around the production rooms and gave frequent breaks, but the toxin took its inevitable toll.
Amid these conditions, a new director, Tabor, arrived in 1788 at the glassmaking center in Lohr, on the eastern edge of the Spessart. He applied an iron fist, and many of his subordinates simply fled. If a runaway was caught, he was flogged in front of the others as a warning.
Possessing a wealth of ore and mineral deposits, areas of Spessart Forest were especially rich in copper. Copper mining in the region, however, was labor-intensive, for copper here appeared in combination with other minerals and elements, which made it difficult to process and smelt. Further, the sulfur dioxide fumes created during the smelting process caused extremely unhealthy working conditions. The noxious fumes could lead to chronic respiratory problems and to bronchitis. Exposure to this dangerous environment began early, since many miners began as young boys. The ore going to the pits generally traveled through tight galleries that only young boys could fit into.
Glassmaking No Less Dangerous:
As with mining, glassmaking contributed to serious health problems of the workers. Inhaling silica dust during the blowing process worked havoc on lungs. The particles clung to and irritated the lung lining, leading to a build-up of scar tissue and gradual loss of lung capacity.Worse was the effect of mercury used in mirror backs. Poisoning by this element caused dizziness, shakes, coughs, skin lesions, stomach pains, and loss of hair and teeth. Managers rotated workers around the production rooms and gave frequent breaks, but the toxin took its inevitable toll.
Amid these conditions, a new director, Tabor, arrived in 1788 at the glassmaking center in Lohr, on the eastern edge of the Spessart. He applied an iron fist, and many of his subordinates simply fled. If a runaway was caught, he was flogged in front of the others as a warning.