| Nitrobenzene. | Oil of Bitter Almonds. | |
|---|---|---|
| Strong sulphuric acid. | No change of colour. | A rich crimson colour. |
| Proto-sulphate and the | No blue colour. | Prussian blue. |
| persulphate of iron, | ||
| liquor potassæ, and | ||
| hydrochloric acid. | ||
| Solution of sulphate | Insoluble. | Soluble. |
| of soda. |
Treatment.—Stomach pump, emetics, stimulants, cold douche, artificial respiration.
DINITROBENZENE
This substance is a solid of a yellow colour, and is used in the manufacture of roburite, bellite, and sicherite, explosives used in coal mines for blasting. Poisoning by it occurs amongst the workmen who come in contact with it in factories where it is used, by inhaling either the vapour or fine particles, and by handling it may become absorbed through the skin.
Symptoms.—In acute cases these are similar to poisoning by nitrobenzene. In chronic poisoning there is a marked and peculiar pallor of the face, with a livid blue colour of the ears, lips, fingers, and toes. Nausea and vomiting occur, with weakness, giddiness, and staggering. Amblyopia is a common symptom, with concentric contraction of the visual field and central scotoma. The blood resembles that of pernicious anæmia, and the urine is brown or blackish, due to some pigments of the aromatic series.
Post-mortem Appearances.—The blood has been found chocolate-coloured, and ecchymoses have been noted in mucous membranes.
Treatment.—As for nitrobenzene.
ANILINE
Aniline is a colourless oily liquid gradually changing to brown on exposure to air. The various aniline dyes are obtained by oxidation of aniline. Aniline is produced by reduction of nitrobenzene. It is slightly soluble in water, freely so in alcohol or ether. It can be absorbed through the unbroken skin as well as by the lungs and mucous membranes. It is used in the manufacture of marking inks. It has very toxic properties.
Symptoms.—The symptoms come on rapidly—nausea and vomiting, with giddiness and drowsiness; the lips, face, ears, fingers, toes, conjunctivæ, and mucous membranes become cyanotic. The respirations are slow and laboured. The pulse may be full and slow, or small and irregular. The body surface is cold, the pupils react sluggishly to light. The blood is chocolate-coloured, and is said to give the spectrum of methæmoglobin. The blue colour is held to be due to pigment changes, and not to true cyanosis. Convulsions and coma may come on in fatal cases.