(8) Arsenical compounds used in pyrotechny:—
§ 717. Statistics.—During the ten years 1883-92 there were registered in England and Wales 113 deaths from arsenic; of these 57, or about half, were suicidal deaths, and 5 were classed under the head of “murder”; the rest were due to accident. The age and sex distribution of persons dying from accidental or suicidal arsenical poisoning are detailed in the following table:—
DEATHS FROM ARSENIC DURING THE TEN YEARS 1883-1892.
| Accident or Negligence. | ||||||
| Ages, | 1-5 | 5-15 | 15-25 | 25-65 | 65 and above | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Males, | 1 | 4 | 3 | 23 | 6 | 37 |
| Females, | 4 | ... | 3 | 4 | 3 | 14 |
| Total, | 5 | 4 | 6 | 27 | 9 | 51 |
| Suicide. | ||||||
| Ages, | 15-25 | 25-65 | 65 and above | Total | ||
| Males, | 3 | 32 | 2 | 37 | ||
| Females, | 5 | 12 | 3 | 20 | ||
| Total, | 8 | 44 | 5 | 57 | ||
§ 718. Law Relative to the Sale of Arsenic.—By the 14th of Vict. c. 12, every person selling arsenic is bound to keep a written record of every particular relative to each transaction, such as the name, abode, and calling of the purchaser, the purpose for which the poison is required, and the quantity sold, &c. These particulars are to be signed also by the purchaser. No person (sec. 2) is allowed to sell arsenic to any one unknown to the seller, unless in the presence of a witness whom the seller is acquainted with. The arsenic sold (sec. 3) is to be mixed with soot or indigo in the proportion of half an ounce of indigo to a pound of arsenic. It, therefore, follows that the coloured substance should not contain more than 70 per cent. of arsenious acid. The Act applies to all the colourless preparations of arsenic: but it is not to affect chemists in making up prescriptions for medical men, or in supplying medical men; nor is it to affect the wholesale dealers in supplying arsenic to retail shops, &c. The penalty for conviction is £20, or less.[715]
[715] Commercial arsenic is often much adulterated, especially with gypsum, chalk, &c. These are most readily detected by subliming the arsenic. The sublimed arsenic itself may not be entirely pure, sometimes containing arsenical sulphides and antimonious oxide.