Arsenic was very common in old taxidermy.  It was considered very effective
against infestation.  Back in my Registrar days at Milwaukee Pub. Museum,
my practice  was to use surgical gloves when handling very old or
questionable taxidermy just to be safe.  Chances are that if it was made
before the turn of the century, it was probably arsenic treated.  Some
Native American skins, hides, etc. might also be treated.  It depends in
part on the practices of the institution or the individual doing the
collecting, although such practices are difficult to document.  It might be
worth the trouble to have suspected pieces analyzed.  Almost any
conservator trained in chemistry can do that, as arsenic leaves long term
tell-tale signs.

Henry B. Crawford
Curator of History
Museum of Texas Tech University
Box 43191
Lubbock, TX  79409-3191
806/742-2442
FAX 742-1136
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