156 PROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY. 



fully tested, but no mirror resembling arsenic was obtained. Jolin 

 regrets that the amount could not be accurately estimated, but the 

 approximation is probably quite near the correct amount. It is to be 

 regretted that such a long method of treatment was used, as the addi- 

 tion of unnecessary reagents adds to the chances of error. 



Welander,* in 1880, reports the case of a man and wife who had 

 been for some time depressed and out of health, especially the woman, 

 who suffered from gastric catarrh. She lost appetite, and became 

 emaciated. Complained of a disagreeable garlic taste, and even imag- 

 ined that the urine smelled of garlic. f Her depression increased to 

 such an extent that she became hysterical. The papers and hangings 

 were found to be arsenical and were removed, and four days after- 

 ward 1,500 grams urine were examined. This was evaporated to the 

 consistency of syrup on the water bath, fuming nitric acid and sul- 

 phuric acid were added, and the whole heated on the water bath for 

 twelve hours. The solution was then filtered, and the filtrate saturated 

 with sulphuretted hydrogen (from calcic sulphide and hydrochloric 

 acid) for twelve hours. The precipitate was charred with sulphuric 

 and nitric acids, and the extract added to the Marsh apparatus. After 

 some hours (sic) a mirror of arsenic was obtained, mixed with some 

 sulphur. After the removal of the papers, the patient recovered, and, 

 some weeks after, the urine was found to be free from arsenic. 



The length of time which elapsed before the mirror appeared ren- 

 ders the result somewhat doubtful, unless there was organic matter or 

 a large quantity of nitric acid in the extract, in which case the reduc- 

 tion of the arsenic would have been retarded. Yet Welander does 

 not say that the reagents received the same long test to assure their 

 freedom from arsenic. 



Kjellberg,| in 1881, gives the case of a healthy woman, who suf- 

 fered during the winter of 1878-79 from headache, loss of appetite, 

 and frequent diarrhoea. The wall paper was found to be arsenical. 

 In the summer of 1879 she was restored to health by a journey, and 

 came back to a new house. As the symptoms returned, the surround- 

 ings were examined, and the mattress cover was found to contain 

 arsenic. Arsenic was found in the urine, but two months after recov- 

 ery it was absent. 



* Hygeia, XLII. 238. 



t This may, of course, be purely imaginary, but one is reminded of Selmi's 

 claim (see previous paper, page 147) of the discovery of a volatile arsine in the 

 urine of a dog poisoned by arsenic. 



t Hygeia, XLIII. 456 ; ref., Virchow-Hirsch, Jahresb., XVII. 398. 



