Sheep Dip.—The mixture used for washing sheep, composed of tar-water, soft soap, and arsenic, has caused death in twenty-four hours. The men engaged in dipping the sheep may suffer both locally and constitutionally from the effects of the arsenic in the solution.
Treatment.—As before described.
Analysis.—[See p. 280 et seq.]
Arsenite of Copper.—Scheele‘s green, and the aceto-arsenite of copper, Schweinfurt-green, are met with in commerce and the arts as green pigments. Among workmen they are familiarly known as emerald-green, Brunswick-green, or Vienna-green. In France, the term vert Anglais or English green has been given to them. Scheele‘s green contains about 55 per cent. of pure arsenious acid; the other, Schweinfurt-green, about 58 per cent.
These colours are employed for various purposes, among which the following may be mentioned:
- 1. Artificial flowers and other articles of dress.
- 2. Confectionery, pastry ornaments, and toys.
- 3. As green paint for the insides of houses.
- 4. In the green colour for wall-papers.
- 5. In the green-coloured paper lining boxes, &c.
- 6. Green-coloured tapers used for artificial lighting.
The employment of emerald-green in the colouring of wall-papers is so extensive, that in the year 1860 an English paper-stainer stated that he used two tons of arsenic weekly. In 1862 the amount of this colour manufactured during the year was from 500 to 700 tons. Numerous cases of chronic arsenical poisoning have resulted from the presence of arsenic in the form of Scheele‘s green and Schweinfurt-green in wall-papers and other articles. As the colour is only loosely applied to the surface by means of a weak solution of size, it is easily brushed off, and may so impregnate the air of a room as to produce injurious effects on those who inhabit the apartment. By fermentation of the starch paste used for fastening the paper to the walls, nascent hydrogen is liberated, and, combining with the arsenic to form arseniuretted hydrogen, passes into the air of the room and is inhaled. This gas is extremely poisonous, and small quantities suffice to produce serious results. Certain moulds are endowed with the power of living in materials containing arsenic, and of decomposing arsenious acid or its salts into the gaseous form known as diethylarsine; there are altogether ten such moulds, and the most active is the Penicillium brevicaule.
In the case of ladies‘ dresses, the following method is adopted:
The colouring material is made by thoroughly stirring together a mixture containing, in definite proportions, the green pigment, cold water, starch, and gum arabic, or some similar substance which shall give the colour consistence and adhesiveness. Not infrequently in this process the hand and forearm are freely used in the liquid to expedite the work. Of this mixture, properly prepared, the workman takes a quantity in his fingers and roughly spreads it over the muslin or fine calico. The fabric is then beaten and kneaded between the hands until it is uniformly coloured. The longer this process is continued, the more perfect is the result. The cloth is now fastened to a frame for drying. In all this process of colouring, the hands, forearms, and frequently also the face of the operative must become soiled with the green colour. It will be also observed that the colour is but loosely applied, no mordant being used, as in calico printing, to fix the pigment in the texture of the cloth.
Symptoms.—All the effects produced by arsenic may result from the use of articles coloured with these pigments. Chronic inflammation of the stomach and bowels, and irritation of the eyes, accompanied in some cases with extreme nervous debility and prostration, are by no means uncommon in those employed in the manufacture of this “cheerful,” but poisonous colour. The skin of the hands, arms, and scalp is often attacked by a vesicular eruption or an erythema. When it is borne in mind that, according to the analysis of Hoffman, a single twig of twelve artificial leaves may contain as much as ten grains of pure arsenic, it is not to be wondered at that the most serious results have occurred from the reckless use of these colours. In Prussia and France the use of the arsenical colours is prohibited.