"A poisonous insecticidal solution has been used in the binding of this book."
Update: according to this UNESCO publication from 1961 (“Preservation of Books and Periodicals in Arab Countries” by Wilfred J. Plumbe), that poisonous insecticidal solution is likely a solution of 1% mercuric chloride and 0.5% beechwood creosote applied to the adhesive used on the spine of books before casing in (pg. 6).
September 13, 2009 at 6:07 pm
My question is – how are you supposed to respond if you come across a book with a label like this?
“A poisonous insecticidal solution has been used in the binding of this book … so stop letting your dog chew your books?
“A poisonous insecticidal solution has been used in the binding of this book …
and now you have more ways of killing roaches with your books than simply smacking them?
“A poisonous insecticidal solution has been used in the binding of this book …
and that’s why your tongue is black and your throat is closing up?
I guess I would rather know, than not know that a poisonous insecticidal solution has been used in the binding of a book, but I’m really not sure I would do with that information.
October 18, 2009 at 10:10 pm
This is why I always read the instructions first before I go about licking my books.