 In 1843 William Ashgard replaced the sulfur with beeswax, reducing the pungency of the fumes.This was replaced by paraffin in 1862 by Charles W. Smith, resulting in what were called "parlor matches".From 1870 the end of the splint was fireproofed by impregnation with fire-retardant chemicals such as alum, sodium silicate, and other salts resulting in what was commonly called a "drunkard's match" that prevented the accidental burning of the user's fingers.