Treatment is similar to that for acid poisoning in general and hydrochloric acid in particular.
Similar to that of the chlorides of phosphorus is the action of chlorides of sulphur, of which sulphur monochloride (S₂Cl)₂ is of industrial hygienic importance as it is employed in the vulcanising of indiarubber. It is a brown, oily, fuming liquid, which, mixed with water or even in damp air, decomposes into sulphur dioxide and hydrochloric acid. The fumes of sulphur monochloride have therefore a marked irritant effect, like that of hydrochloric acid and sulphur dioxide. The action of sulphur chloride was thoroughly studied by Lehmann. Industrial poisoning by sulphur chloride is mentioned by Leymann and also in the reports of the Prussian factory inspectors for 1897. The latter case ended fatally owing to the ignorance of the would-be rescuers: a workman had spilt trichloride of phosphorus upon his clothes, and the by-standers, not knowing its dangerous action when combined with water, poured water on him.
Treatment is similar to that of poisoning from hydrochloric acid or sulphur dioxide.
Chloride of zinc (zinc chloride, ZnCl₂) likewise has corroding and irritant action upon the mucous membrane of the respiratory organs.
AMMONIA
Ammonia (NH₃) is a colourless, pungent-smelling gas which dissolves to the extent of about 33 per cent. in water. Inhaled, it first produces violent reflex coughing, then irritation and corrosion of the mucous membrane of the respiratory organs, and finally death through suffocation (spasm of the glottis) if exposure to its action has lasted a sufficiently long time. Microscopic sections exhibit a diphtheritic appearance of the mucous membrane, and inflammation of the lungs. The effects upon the central nervous system (irritation of the medulla and spinal cord) which are peculiar to ammonia compounds need not be considered, as the corrosion of the respiratory passage is sufficient alone to cause death. When the action of the gas is less intense, the patient rallies from the first stage, but often severe symptoms come on later affecting the lungs.
Lehmann in experiments upon himself could tolerate as much as 0·33 per thousand NH₃ for thirty minutes; he found in gas works (with fairly marked odour) hardly more than 0·1 per thousand NH₃ in the atmosphere, and considers 0·5 per thousand distinct evidence of excess. He found that he could produce in dogs acclimatisation up to 1·0 per thousand NH₃ (five times as much as could at first be borne). About 88 per cent. of the ammonia contained in the air is absorbed in breathing; ammonia is said to exercise also a reducing action upon the oxygen of the blood (oxyhæmoglobin).
Chronic poisoning by ammonia can hardly be said to occur. In those who clean out sewers and drains, the inflammation of the eyes and digestive disturbance attributed partly to ammonia are probably due more to the action of sulphur compounds—ammonium sulphide and sulphuretted hydrogen. Irritation due to solution of ammonia does not come into account in industrial employment.
As regards treatment, fresh air or administration of oxygen is most likely to be successful. Inhalation also of very dilute acetic acid vapour, steam, or spray of sodium carbonate is advocated.