CARBON. 185 



What is the ^^* A NTIDOTE TO ARSENIC. The hy- 



antidotefor drated sesquoxide of iron is regarded as 

 the best antidote to arsenic. (See Oxides.) 

 Its action depends on the formation of a compound, 

 with the poison in the stomach, which is insoluble, 

 and therefore inactive. Milk, sugar, and white of eggs, 

 are also given with advantage, as in most other cases 

 of poisoning. 



452. ARSENIC EATERS OF AUSTRIA. 



What is said _ . . ., . 



of the arsenic In the mountainous portions of Austria, 

 tria r ?^ AuS ~ bordering on Hungary, the peasantry are 

 given to the strange habit of eating arse- 

 nic. It is said to impart a fresh, healthy appearance to 

 the skin, and also to make respiration freer when as- 

 cending mountains. Those who indulge in its use 

 commence with half a grain, and gradually increase 

 the dose to four grains. If this habit is regularly in- 

 dulged, its injurious effects are said to be long retarded. 

 But as soon as the dose is suspended, the symptoms of 

 poisoning by arsenic immediately manifest themselves. 



CARBON. 

 453. DESCRIPTION. Carbon in the form 



Describe the . 



different of coal, is a black, brittle, solid. As 



forms of car- pi umDa go, and coke, it is grey, with me- 

 tallic lustre ; as the diamond, it is trans- 

 parent, and the hardest of known substan- 

 ces. Plumbago is commonly called black 

 lead, but it contains no lead whatever. The 

 figure in the margin represents the more 

 common crystalline form of the diamond. 



