On Fri, 21 Jun 1996, Richard Sullivan wrote:
--------snip-----------
> Almost everyone here could get a license to hurl a 2 ton piece
> of steel through space at 75 miles per hour, but some worry about a few
> grams of mercuric chloride.
>
> Sorry Jack to spleen vent so loud, it's just that I got other mail that was
> a little crazy. I think they read Susan Shaw after eating anchovie pizza,
> drinking chili beer, and doing their email after a bad night.
What you forget, Dick, is the first law of human relations: Two
wrongs make a right. Because the environment is ruined, Shaw warns us
about what didn't ruin it. Etc.
Meanwhile, I told you where to get the formula for Victor's Mercury
Intensifier, but nobody listened. Page 108-9 of "Darkroom", Lustrum Press:
The chapter is about George Kraus; he explains why he likes Victors,
including the fact that "the intensification cannot be reversed with the
ones that bleach first and redevelop [not true, but that's another
story]. With VMI, the negative may be returned to its original state by
immersing it in hypo."
He then tells how he got the formula, which had been secret, by calling
the Smith-Victor Company which no longer made it. He spoke with Mr.
Smith who explained it was discontinued because sales fell off and "the
toxic nature of the components." Mr. Smith did, however, send him the
formula:
mercuric chloride NF powder 1 3/4 oz
magnesium sulfate, purified dried powder 8 oz
potassium iodide USP granular 4 oz
sodium sulfite, anydrous photo (dessicated) 2 oz
water to make one gallon
(Kraus advises, however, getting smaller amounts & making less, as the
powder doesn't keep when mixed.)
Stir to thoroughly dissolve ingredients at approximately 70 degrees F.
Let stand a few minutes. A yellow precipitate will sink to bottom. Pour off
the clear liquid from the mixing graduate into a dark or opaque container.
Filter a good idea but not absolutely necessary. Store in dark til use, as
mercuric chloride unstable when exposed to light.
The books goes on : THIS SOLUTION IS EXTREMELY POISONOUS AND MUST NOT BE
TAKEN INTERNALLY. IF IT HAPENS BY ACCIDENT, VOMITING MUST BE INDUCED
IMMEDIATELY. CONTAINER SHOULD BE CLEARLY MARKED AND STORED AWAY FROM
CHILDREN. USE SURGICAL GLOVES WHEN IN CONTACT WITH THE SOLUTION.
Etc. Etc. I give the above for the historic record, but I still advise
*STRONGLY* against, and seriously doubt any advantage. Certainly I have
NEVER in all the times I've used it had staining with chromium
intensifier. And selenium intensification (1 to 2) is excellent &
archival, too. But get "Darkroom." Should be around used. It's one of
the best of the genre (and far better than "Darkroom 2," which is a
perfect example of the Peter Principle at work).
Judy