Symptoms.—The symptoms are those of arsenical poisoning.
Treatment.—When metallic arsenic has been taken, vomiting must be promoted by the use of proper emetics. Tartar emetic should never be used. In the treatment for poisoning with arsenic acid, or of the arseniates of potash and soda, the hydrated oxide of iron, or of the acetate of iron, should be used, as the arseniates are precipitated by the iron.
Arsenic Acid
No case of poisoning by this substance has been recorded, for, although poisonous, it is better known in the laboratory than in the shops. It differs from arsenious acid in being only partially volatilised by heat, in its solubility in water, and in being precipitated of a brick-red colour by nitrate of silver. With sulphuretted hydrogen a yellow precipitate is slowly formed, insoluble in hydrochloric acid.
Arseniuretted Hydrogen
This gas has proved fatal in several cases. It is generated in the process known as Marsh‘s process for arsenic, and is so poisonous that a very small quantity, not sufficient to be detected by its odour, has caused death. In most cases death has been the result of accident.
Symptoms.—Giddiness, fainting, constant vomiting, pain in stomach, and suppression of urine, with rapid destruction of the red blood corpuscles, associated with hæmorrhages from all the mucous membranes and jaundice, are among the most prominent symptoms.
The post-mortem appearances are inflammation of the stomach, with softening of its coats. The liver and kidneys are also more or less affected, and have been found of a deep indigo colour.
Analysis.—This has been described when speaking of Marsh‘s process for arsenic.