THE CHEMISTRY OF THE ANIMAL BODY. 513 



Phosphorus, P =-32. 



Phosphorus is found combined as phosphate in the soil ; it is necessary to 

 the development of plants. As phosphate it is present in large quantity in 

 the bones, and is found also in all the cells, tissues, and fluids of the body, 

 probably in loose chemical combination with the proteid molecule. It is pres- 

 ent in nuclein, protagon, and lecithin. 



Preparation. — Phosphorus was first prepared by igniting evaporated urine, 

 3NaH 2 P0 4 + 5C = 3H 2 + 5C0 + 2P + Na 3 P0 4 . 



In a similar way it may be obtained by chemical treatment of bones. The vapors of 

 phosphorus may be condensed by passing them under water, where at a temperature of 

 44.4° the phosphorus melts and may be cast into stieks. 



Properties. — Phosphorus is a yellow, crystalline substance, soluble in oils and carbon 

 disulphide. It is insoluble in water, in which it is kept, since in moist air it gives off a 

 feeble glowing light, accompanied by white fumes of phosphorous acid (H 3 PO :) ) and small 

 amounts of ammonium nitrate, peroxide of hydrogen, and ozone, to which latter the 

 peculiar odor is ascribed. Phosphorus ignites spontaneously at a temperature of 60°, and 

 this may be produced by mere handling, the resulting burns being severe and dangerous. 

 This form of phosphorus is poisonous, but if it be heated to 250° in a neutral gas (nitrogen) 

 it is changed into red phosphorus, which has different properties and is not poisonous. 



Phosphorus-poisoning. — On injecting phosphorus dissolved in oil into the 

 jugular vein, embolisms are produced by the oil in the capillaries of the lungs, 

 the expired air contains fumes of phosphorous acid, and the lungs glow when 

 cut out (Magendie). If the phosphorus oil be injected in the form of a fine 

 emulsion, embolism is avoided, 1 and the fine particles of phosphorus are generally 

 distributed throughout the circulation. On autopsy of a rabbit alter such injec- 

 tion in the femoral vein, all the organs and blood-vessels glow on exposure to 

 the air. 2 If two portions of arterial blood be taken, and one of them be mixed 

 with phosphorus oil, and they be let stand, both portions become venous in the 

 same time. 3 Hence phosphorus in blood, as in water, is not readily oxidized. 

 Persons breathing vapor of phosphorus acquire phosphorus-poisoning. What 

 the direct action of phosphorus is, is unknown, but the results are most inter- 

 esting. To understand the results it maybe supposed that proteid in decompos- 

 ing in the body splits up into a nitrogenous portion, the nitrogen of w hioh finds 

 it- exit through the urine and feces, and a non-nitrogenous portion, which i- re- 

 solved into carbonic oxide and water, just as arc the sugars ami the fats. Phis 

 carbonic acid is given off, for the most part, through the lungs. Now if a starv- 

 ing dog, which lives on his own flesh and tilt, be poisoned with phosphorus, 

 the proteid decomposition as indicated by the nitrogen in the urine is largely 

 increased, while the amounts of carbonic acid given oil' and oxygen absorbed 

 are largely decreased ; on post-mortem examination the organs arc found to 

 contain excessive quantities of fat. We have here presumptive evidence that a 

 part of the proteid molecule usually completely oxidized has not been burned, 



1 L. Hermann: Pjlugei'i Archiv, 1870, Bd. :'>, S. 1. 



1 II. Meyer: Archiv fur exper. Pathologic and Pharmakologie, L881, 1U1. 1 1, S. 327. 

 3 Meyer, Op. cit., S. 329. 

 Vol. I.— 33 



