398 ARSENIC, ANTIMONY AND PHOSPHORUS 



Chronic poisoning. This was very common to workers in match 

 factories, and was called " Phosphorism." It is characterized by 

 loss of flesh, anemia, garlicky breath, chronic diarrhea, albimiinuria, 

 fragility of the bones, and necrosis of the maxiilaiy bones, which, 

 however, probably never occurs unless the teeth are carious. 



Treatment. This should be aimed at removing as much as pos- 

 sible of the phosphorus and oxidizing the remainder. If the patient 

 is seen soon after ingestion, empty the stomach with copper sulphate 

 (30 grains to 2 ounces of water) as an emetic, then administer two 

 or three ounces of a weaker solution (30 grains to the pint of water) 

 to coat any remaining phosphorus with metallic copper, which is 

 soon converted into the insoluble phosphide. Follow this with a 

 cathartic to remove any unabsorbed phosphorus which may have 

 reached the intestines. Potassium permanganate may be used in the 

 same manner, washing the stomach with a 0.1 — 0.2 per cent, solu- 

 tion, followed by aboiit 5 grains of the drug in eight ounces of water. 

 Hydrogen peroxide may be used in an emergency but since it is so 

 easily decomposed on contact with the body fluids and mucous mem- 

 branes it can only act by coming in direct contact with the phos- 

 phorus. French oil of turpentine has been recommended, but this 

 is almost impossible to obtain, and the ordinary commercial variety 

 is valueless. All oils and fats should be avoided, as they increase 

 the solubility of the drug. 



Therapeutics. 1. Diseases of Bones. The only logical use of 

 phosphorus in medicine is in rickets, and osteomalacia, where it is 

 recommended as a specific by some, but of doubtful value by others. 

 It is best given in cod liver oil, but may be given in olive or cotton- 

 seed oil. There is some evidence that it will hasten the callous for- 

 mation in delayed union of bones. 



2. Nerve tonic and aphrodisiac. There are no grounds for its 

 use in these conditions, although there is some clinical evidence that 

 it may be of some value in nervous disorders dependent upon ex- 

 haustion and not to organic changes, neurasthenia, impotence from 

 excess, etc. 



Administration. Use only freshly prepared solutions in oil or 

 in keratin coated pills, as it undergoes oxidation very promptly upon 

 standing. 



*ZINC PHOSPHIDUM — ZINC PHOSPHIDE 



Properties: Dark grayish gritty powder or crystalline metallic 

 fragments, having a faint phosphorus-like odor and taste. It is 

 soluble in alcohol and water. 



Doses. Dog, gr. i/4o— Vio ; .0016— .0066. 



Action and Uses. Very similar to those of phosphorus. 



* UnofSoial. 



