88 VETEEINAEY TOXICOLOGY 



The simple salts, such as sodium chloride and potassium 

 bromide and iodide, are common in use, and have great 

 therapeutic value. All are liable to cause dangerous symp- 

 toms in large doses. 



The oxygenated salts, potassium and sodium chlorates, 

 hromates, and iodates, are increasingly toxic in the order 

 named, and it is very probable that the presence of iodate 

 in Chili saltpetre accounts in part for the toxicity of that 

 substance (see Nitrates). 



Symptoms, — Poisoning by the above-named substances 

 is rare, and a brief summary of the general effects of the 

 agents named will therefore sufi&ce. 



Chlorine and bromine, in the condition of concentrated 

 vapour, are very dangerous, and primarily attack the respi- 

 ratory system. They cause intense pulmonary irritation by 

 directly attacking the mucous membranes. There is suffo- 

 cation, cough, violent retching, and discharge of bloody 

 mucus. In fatal cases a comatose condition precedes death. 

 The pulmonary troubles may eventuate in broncho-pneu- 

 monia, and even with recovery there is great loss of condi- 

 tion and resistant power. 



Treatment must include immediate removal of the cause. 

 Small quantities of sulphuretted hydrogen or ammonia act 

 as direct chemical antidotes against both chlorine and 

 bromine. Vapour of alcohol or ether is, however, prefer- 

 able, as the above agents are also themselves very toxic. 



Chemical Diagnosis will not be possible if any length of 

 time elapses before death, and, indeed, is scarcely necessary, 

 since there can be little doubt as to the cause. The faint 

 odour of chlorine or bromine may be observed. To test 

 chemically the parts are distilled into water, and the halogen 

 recognised in the watery distillate. Bromine imparts a 

 brown or orange colour to water, and extraction with chloro- 

 form gives a heavy orange - coloured lower layer. Both 

 agents liberate iodine from solutions of iodides, such as 

 potassium iodide, and this gives a blue colour, discharged 

 on heating and reappearing on cooling, with dilute starch 

 solution. The test is not characteristic of chlorine and 



