ARSENIC. 



ARSENIC. 



E66 



with solution of nitrate of silver, the heat of a spirit lamp is applied 

 to the liquid in the tube until gentle ebullition commences, care being 

 taken to hold the tube in an inclined position, so as to prevent the 

 contents from spirting upon the paper. If arsenic be present, the 

 paper impregnated with silver solution will become tinged of a more 

 or less deep brown colour; any such alteration in the colour of the 

 paper is a positive proof of the presence of arsenic. The coloration of 

 the paper ia produced by the decomposition of arsenuretted hydrogen 

 and the formation of brownish black arsenide of silver. 



There are many other tests for the detection of arsenic, but the 

 foregoing having been selected as the best and most conclusive, it is 

 unnecessary here to allude to them. 



It is of course necessary that all the chemicals used in the above 

 tests should be first proved to be perfectly free from arsenic, by the 

 application of the tests themselves. Zinc, sulphuric acid, and especially 

 hydrochloric acid, even when the latter is sold as pure, are not upfre- 

 quently contaminated with arsenic. 



ARSENIC, Medical Properties of. As metallic arsenic has no effect 

 upon the human system, we shall mostly confine our observations to 

 the employment and mode of action of the white oxide or arsenious 

 acid, and its compound, the arsenite of potash. The characters of 

 arsenious acid have been given above, but one remarkable circumstance 

 connected with these requires to be noticed here ; the degree of solu- 

 bility depends on the degree of transparency or opacity of the specimen 

 or portion employed. For example, 1000 parts of boiling water dissolve 

 97 parts of the transparent acid, retaining only 18 parts when cold; 

 but an equal quantity of water will dissolve 115 parts of the opaque 

 variety, and retain 29 parts when cold, the remaining parts being pre- 

 cipitated. It is manifest, therefore, that the strength of a solution 

 must vary with the kind of specimen employed. This discrepancy is 

 denied by Dr. Alfred Taylor. (' Guy's Hosp. Reports,' vol. jv .p. 83.) 

 The precise character of the taste of white arsenic is a matter of 

 dispute ; it is generally said to be acrid and corrosive, followed by an 

 impression of sweetness; but Dr. Gordon states, that it is at first 

 always sweet, but afterwards somewhat acid. (Gordon, ' Dissert. 

 Inaug. de Arsenico," Edinb. 1814, p. 9; 'Edinburgh Medical and Sur- 

 gical Journal,' vol. xi. p. 134.) 



The white oxide of arsenic being so often employed for the destruction 

 of human life, a dread of it exists, not only among the unprofessional 

 part of the community, but even among medical men, which has caused 

 it to be less tried, and its modes of action less studied, than most other 

 medicinal agents of the Materia Medica. That it labours under a most 

 unjust opprobrium cannot be doubted, for it is not so poisonous as 

 many other articles frequently used, such as prussic acid and strychnia, 

 while its curative influence is certainly very great. 



If a small quantity of the white oxide of arsenic, such as ^th or ^th 

 of a grain be swallowed, in about a quarter of an hour the individual 

 experiences an agreeable sensation of comfort and warmth about the 

 stomach, which gradually extends itself over the whole of the abdomen. 

 The appetite and thirst are moderately increased, the secretion of urine 

 becomes more abundant, and the evacuations from the intestines often 

 more frequent, and of a pulpy or pappy character. From the intestinal 

 canal the peculiar action propagates itself over the whole system. The 

 heat of the surface is augmented, and the increased temperature is 

 experienced particularly about the forehead and eyebrows, and the 

 skin is bedewed with a breathing perspiration. At the same time an 

 increased strength and frequency of pulse is felt. The whole muscular 

 system acquires energy and elasticity ; the involuntary muscles espe- 

 cially become more powerful and vigorous in their action ; the respi- 

 ration is gently accelerated. The nervous system partakes of the 

 impulse communicated to the frame, and the spirits as well as the 

 courage of the individual rise, liveliness and regularity characterising 

 the whole functions of the system. 



That the white oxide of arsenic is a tonic, therefore, is sufficiently 

 clear ; and that its employment in such doses as we have stated is not 

 only safe but beneficial, may be satisfactorily proved. Not only are 

 old worn-out horses endowed with new vigour, improved appetite, &c., 

 by its use, but pigeons to which .this article is given show greater 

 appetite and liveliness than others without it ; and in Upper Styria the 

 peasantry use it as a seasoning with many articles of food, such as 



It will not, we trust, be supposed that by bringing forward these 

 facts and statements, we desire to lead any one to make a 1) 

 inconsiderate use of this very powerful agent. We only w i.-Oi i 

 that much prejudice exists against it, in order that when circumstances 

 seem to require its use, medical men may not be deterred from 

 employing it from ignorance of its qualities, nor have to encounter 

 unnecessary difficulties from the objections of others. That oxide of 

 arsenic may accumulate in the system, or may give rise to slow 

 |Hiliniiig, cannot be questioned ; but if exhibited in appropriate cases, 

 the morbid state of the system seems to act as an antidote to it, just as 

 it acts as an antidote to the disease, health being the result of their 

 neutralising power. Every medical practitioner knows what large 

 doses of opium may be given with safety and benefit in tetanus, and 

 some other diseases. It has been stated under ANTIMONY, that very 

 large doses of tartrite of antimony can be borne in certain states of the 

 fstem ; and in the West Indies, during the state of insensibility 

 following the bite of a snake called the coluber carinatat, eight grains of 



the white oxide of arsenic, and eighty drops of the tincture of opium 

 have been given in the course of four hours, that is, one grain every 

 half-hour, with the best effect. (See Paper by Mr. Ireland in ' Medico 

 Chir. Transactions,' vol. ii. p. 393.) 



iiuite oxide of arsenic is not often given in the solid form, nor, 

 owing to its variable solubility, is the solution frequently employed ; 

 the form most generally chosen is that of its combination with potass, 

 or arsenite of potass : which is the basis of the liquor fotassce arsenitis 

 of the London Pharmacopoeia, in the preparation of which the quantity 

 of potass is scarcely sufficient to saturate the whole of the acid, some of 

 which must consequently remain free in solution or be deposited. 

 Before the regular introduction of this into medical practice, it had 

 long been employed in Lincolnshire for the cure of intermittents, under 

 the name of the Tasteless Ague Drops; and, from having been introduced 

 into practice by Dr. Fowler, it is frequently called Folder's Solution. 

 It is never given in larger quantity than three or five drops, and should 

 always be taken about half-an-hour after a meal, to prevent it coming 

 into direct or immediate contact with the inner coat of the stomach. 



Being considered eminently an anti-periodic [AouE], it has been 

 used in most diseases which partake of a periodic character ; the chief 

 of these we shall here notice, along with two or three others not pos- 

 sessed of a periodic character. It is most frequently employed in 

 intermittent fevers ; the greatest advantage is derived from it in the 

 tertian and quartan forms, the quotidian often resisting this and all 

 other remedies. Its beneficial effects may be increased by giving 

 calomel first ; cinchona bark may be given also during the employment 

 of arsenical medicines, but it should rather be alternated with them 

 than given at the same time ; certainly they should not be given in the 

 same formula or prescription, though, if the patient be very weak, 

 other tonics may be given along with them. Opium is sometimes 

 advantageously given along with them, but it should be employed in 

 very small quantity. 



It has sometimes been given in remittents, which approached nearly 

 to the character of intermittents. 



In rheumatic cases it has been used, and is most successful when 

 the pains are markedly periodic, or true to a particular hour in their 

 return. It is equally applicable whether these be general or local, as 

 in some rheumatic affections of the eye. . (See Travers ' On Diseases of 

 the Eye.') In nodosities of the bones from rheumatism it is also very 

 valuable. 



In some affections, more especially of the nervous system, such as 

 tic doloureux, and other neuralgic pains, it is useful. In cardialgia, or 

 heartburn, when chronic, if combined with belladonna, it often affords 

 speedy and lasting relief. It has sometimes been advantageously 

 employed in hooping-cough, angina pectoris, epilepsy, and chorea, when 

 tonics were required. In some chronic nervous affections of the mental 

 faculties it has been found useful, such as melancholia and hypochon- 

 driasis ; and in hydrophobia, tetanus, and the bites of serpents, it is 

 certainly more valuable than any other means we are acquainted with. 

 Mr. Brodhurst has proposed its employment during the period of 

 incubation, before the formidable symptoms manifest themselves ; this 

 is a wise and sensible proposition. 



In cancer it has been employed both internally and externally ; the 

 form generally used in the latter way is pdte arsenicale, but it is not 

 free from danger, and requires great caution. Its internal employment 

 has been mostly in cases where it depends upon constitutional rather 

 than local causes ; but if hectic fever be present, it will do more harm 

 than good. It seems to be of more service in cancer of the lip and 

 face, than in affections of the glands, as the mammae or testicles. In 

 cutaneous diseases, such as lepra or elephantiasis, it is often service- 

 able, and its beneficial action may be increased by giving liquor potasses 

 along with it. 



We hold that the previous failure of other and more common 

 remedies is a sufficient justification of the employment, with due 

 caution, of arsenic in any of these diseases. 



In case of an overdose, or of intentional poisoning by arsenic, it is 

 proper that we should indicate an antidote, and point out the mode of 

 treating such a casualty : both these are difficult. First, then, in the 

 case of a substance so sparingly soluble, we cannot see how the 

 stomach'-pump is likely to be of service ; more especially as the white 

 oxide either adheres firmly to the inner coat of the stomach, or gets 

 imbedded in its substance. A more rational plan is to give a large 

 quantity of lime-water, cold, as the arsenite of lime is almost insoluble, 

 and nearly inert. After that, an emetic of sulphate of zinc (3 i. in a 

 pint of distilled water); then copious draughts of oil (castor oil if 

 possible), or milk. After which the case must be treated on general 

 principles. [ANTIDOTES ; POISONS.] 



The Liquor Arsenici Chloridi of the London Pharmacopoeia is thought 

 to be more serviceable in cutaneous diseases than the other prepara- 

 tions. Arsenite of soda has some advantages. (See Lloyd Bullock in 

 'Journal of Pharmaceutical Society,' vol. x. p. 859.) 



Arsenic has been detected by Mdnard in the mineral waters of 

 Mont-dore, Ste. Nectano, and other springs, in which it exists in com- 

 bination with various bases, especially soda. These springs are cele- 

 brated for their curative effects in cutaneous diseases. The efforts of 

 the legislature to restrain the illegal employment of arsenic are praise- 

 worthy, but can scarcely reach the multiform employments of it which 

 are injurious to health. The paper-hangings of our rooms, the candles 



