When I was a lad, old dry cells were a source of interesting scrap,
carbon rods, zinc flashing, brass strips and brass terminals.

Are zinc-carbon cells still sold today, or are the AA, A, C and D
cells made up of more insidious (and poisonous) compounds?

The metallically-sealed cells look a little more daunting
than the bitumen-sealed zinc cans of yore.

What do we get when we rush down to our local hardware stores
apart from fork handles?

PS. I'm interested in getting hold of one of those wet Leclanche
cells, the sort with the baekelite moulded tops, that were
used to power door bells. Anybody got one for disposal? ISTR
that there was no depolarising agent fitted which served a useful
purpose - that of preventing annoying long presses of the bell-push.