ARSENI TRIOXIDUM — ARSENIC S89 



nic nerve is stimulated. The heart becomes rapid, weak and irregu- 

 lar and the vasomotor center depressed. 



SoUmann says, " These changes in the capillaries explain prac- 

 tically the whole course of the poisoning. Since increased per- 

 meability of the capillaries is one of the essential features of in- 

 flammation, one need not be surprised that the phenomena of ar- 

 senic-poisoning are similar to those produced by an irritating in- 

 flammation, although the primal cause is different." The paralysis 

 of the capillaries causes an exudation of serum into the connective 

 tissues. The accumulation of serum raises blisters beneath the 

 mucosa which is soon thrown off as shreds or false membranes, 

 together with large amounts of serum into the stomach and intes- 

 tines, causing the so-called " rice water stools " of people. 



The prolonged gastroenteritis is usually the cause of death. 



Chronic Poisoning. Chronic poisoning in animals usually re- 

 sults from the continued faulty dosing with arsenic ; or in herbivora, 

 by grazing upon pastures upon which arsenic has been deposited by 

 vapors from smelters. 



Symptoms. Here we get a chronic gastrointestinal catarrh, 

 emaciation, hidebound, diarrhea, muscular weakness, paralysis, sore- 

 ness of the gums, swelling of the eyelids, salivation, and eruption on 

 the skin. The milder but persistent action upon the capillaries 

 gives time for more marked degenerative changes in the body, promi- 

 nent among which are fatty degeneration of the endothelium of the 

 capillaries themselves, followed by the same changes in the liver, 

 heart, kidneys and muscles. In this type of poisoning there is a 

 tendency toward local effusions, particularly swelling of the eyelids, 

 which is quite characteristic. 



Lesions. These consist of inflammation of the gastro-intestinal 

 tract, with ropy, bloody mucus. There may be ecchymoses or blood 

 in the stomach. The presence of large amounts of fluid and shreds 

 of mucus or false membranes with the absence of corrosion is char- 

 acteristic. Ulceration is not commonly found in cases of acute 

 poisoning, but may be found in the chronic. Petechias may be seen 

 in the internal organs in acute poisoning and fatty degeneration in 

 the chronic. 



Diagnosis. The diagnosis of acute poisoning is based upon 

 the violent gastroenteritis, distinguished from that of acids and 

 alkalies by the history, absence of corrosion of the stomach and less 

 prominent local symptoms. The rapid onset distinguishes it from 

 poisoning by all other metals. The chronic poisoning is difficult 

 to diagnose because it may be confused with. chronic lead poisoning; 

 consequently chemical examination of the organs is the only method 

 of making a positive diagnosis. 



Treatment of Acute Type. IJse emetics or stomach tube and 



