ACTION OF ARSENICAL COMPOUNDS 209 



in animals and would not be likely to occur save in those 

 living in the immediate vicinity of chemical works. In this 

 condition there are symptoms similar to those noted above 

 as occurring in the milder form of arsenic poisoning, together 

 with gradual loss of strength and flesh, local paralysis or 

 paraplegia, and anaesthesia. Fatty degeneration of the liver, 

 kidneys, heart, stomach and muscles, in cases of chronic 

 arsenical poisoning, is found after death. 



The post mortem changes observed after acute poisoning, 

 are as follows : The gastric mucous membrane, especially 

 the villous portion in horses, is swollen, softened and covered 

 with patches of a deep crimson or dark brown color. There 

 is rarely ulceration. The upper portion of the small 

 intestines, and in horses sometimes the whole of the intes- 

 tinal tract, is similarly affected with that of .the stomach. 

 There is generally a wide-spread fatty degeneration of the 

 internal organs and muscles. 



The treatment of acute poisoning depends mainly upon 

 the use of the oflScial freshly prepared arsenic antidote 

 (ferri oxidum hydratum cum magnesia) in large quantities. 

 If this can not be obtained, an antidote can be prepared by 

 precipitating Monsel's Solution, or the tincture of the 

 chloride of iron, with sodium bicarbonate or ammonia. 

 Dialyzed iron may be precipitated with an alkali. In either 

 case the precipitate should be washed in a filter of muslin 

 and given in large amounts. If vomiting has not occurred, 

 zinc sulphate should be given, or the stomach pump or 

 siphon resorted to, and the stomach well washed out. The 

 after-treatment is carried out with castor oil, demulcents, 

 opium and external heat. Sweet spirit of nitre is to be 

 prescribed, with considerable water, to flush out the kidneys. 



Uses External. — A paste containing 1 part each of 

 arsenous acid and gum arabic, with 5 parts of water, is 

 used to destroy warts and morbid growths. Arsenous acid, 

 diluted with 5 parts of lard, may be employed to slough out 

 fistulous tracts. In any case, there is danger of poisoning 

 through absorption, if a sufficient amount of arsenic is used ; 



