liv 



THE GYPSY MOTH. 



of the scrotum, sometimes resembling hydrocele, is a frequent 

 symptom, and this inflammation extends to the adjacent parts. 

 There is frequently an irritation of the mucous membrane of the 

 eye, also oedema of the eyelids. This conjunctival inflammation is 

 manifested by redness and an intolerance of light. Other inflam- 

 mations of the mucous membrane, resulting in irritation of the 

 nasal passages and throat, dry cough, loss of appetite, thirst, 

 nausea, a feehng of uneasiness or pain in the stomach and 

 intestines, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhoea ensue. Often 

 these symptoms are not very severe, but they are sometimes con- 

 tinued for a long period, and in a few cases they have resulted 

 fatally. Other symptoms sometimes produced by the constitu- 

 tional action of the poison are headaches, sleeplessness, muscular 

 debility, emaciation, depression of spirits, neuralgic pains in 

 various parts of the body, muscular trembling, occasional con- 

 vulsions and paralysis of the extremities. It is said that fatty 

 degeneration of the liver, kidneys and other organs sometimes 

 takes place by a process analogous to that caused by the action 

 of phosphorus.* 



The effects of the arsenical preparations when taken internally 

 are Well known, but the dangers arising from their absorption and 

 inhalation are not generally understood. Many people who have 

 been accustomed to using arsenic in some process of manufacture 

 or trade have occasionally suffered from acute attacks of arsenical 

 poisoning without being aware of the real cause of their sufferings. 

 Others, who have suffered for years from chronic arsenical poison- 

 ing, being ignorant of the cause of their symptoms, have neglected 

 to remove it, and have attributed their condition to other agencies 

 or to disease. The inflammation of the mucous membrane of the 

 nasal passages and throat is often attributed to catarrh, while 

 the trouble with the stomach and intestines is usually attributed 

 to dyspepsia. Amateur and professional taxidermists, especially 

 those who use white arsenic in its dry form, sometimes suffer from 

 all the symptoms of both acute and chronic poisoning. Kot in- 

 frequently the death of taxidermists is caused or hastened by the 

 use of arsenic. In one case a taxidermist was rendered almost 

 totally blind for a considerable period by the use of arsenic. 



Browne mentions a case of a man who formerly used dry 

 arsenic in preserving natural history specimens, and whose con- 

 stitution was, he says, thoroughly broken up by it. An amateur 

 of long standing became paralyzed in one hand. This man was 



* " Poisons, their Effect and Detection," Vol. II, page 495. 



