TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 377 



portional to the dispersion. JOSEPH recommends sulphur hydrosol in 

 diseases of the skin. 



Phosphorus, Arsenic, Antimony. 



Of all the complicated phenomena caused by these three sub- 

 stances in different doses, there is only one which can be considered 

 colloid-chemically. Phosphorus, arsenic and antimony greatly influ- 

 ence metabolism. Whereas arsenic and arsenic salts inhibit liver 

 autolysis even in small doses, minimal doses of arsenic trisulphid 

 hydrosol favor it. Small quantities of the latter preparation activate 

 and larger ones inhibit the uric acid forming ferments in liver autol- 

 ysis (M. ASCOLI and G. IZAR*). 



Phosphorus, arsenic and antimony inhibit oxidation processes. In 

 minute doses this results in an increased constructive activity; its 

 effect may be compared with slight oxygen need, such as occurs at 

 high altitudes. In larger doses the toxic action comes to the fore- 

 ground. The metabolism does not reach its end product, weak car- 

 bonic acid, but there are formed the intermediary stronger acids 

 (lactic acid, glycuronic acid, etc.); the difficultly oxidizable fats are 

 no longer normally attacked; there is a fatty degeneration of the 

 glands (liver, kidneys), subcutaneous tissue and in the peritoneum 

 and all the organs successively. [It is more probable that there is 

 a change in the aggregation of the fat globules as the result of these 

 poisons (breaking of emulsions). T. BRAILSFORD ROBERTSON has 

 recently presented this view, and he refers to the fact that GAY and 

 SOUTHARD observed the loading of the gastric epithelium with visible 

 fat globules in animals which have experienced anaphylactic shock. 

 Science N. S., Vol. XLV, No. 1170, p. 568 et seq. Tr.] It is upon 

 this very retention of fat that the therapeutic employment of arsenic 

 depends. It has been recognized a long time by the arsenic eaters 

 of Steiermark and by breeders. [This may be due to the destruction 

 of the protective action of an emulsostatic substance. Tr.] 



With toxic doses, when the formation of stronger acids instead of 

 weak carbonic acid occurs, there must results an increased friction of 

 the blood in the capillaries. As a matter of fact circulatory disturb- 

 ances are among the most characteristic phenomena of phosphorus, 

 arsenic, antimony and lead poisoning. " Generalized dropsy" (edema 

 resulting from acid formation in the tissues, see p. 208 et seq.) is a 

 symptom of chronic arsenic poisoning. 



We must also regard the " capillary paralysis" due to arsenic 

 as caused by an increase of the viscosity of the blood at the inter- 

 faces. It must be specially emphasized that these statements are 

 only working hypotheses. 



