Buchanan met with a case of aniline poisoning in a man who by mistake swallowed about half an ounce of marking ink. Vomiting came on early, with giddiness and staggering gait. The body became changed in colour very rapidly—the colour being between a slate and leaden hue. The eyeballs were of the same colour but of a lighter shade, the mouth and tongue exhibited the colour most markedly. The temperature was subnormal, the pulse quick and feeble, and the breathing occasionally interrupted with sighing respirations. The blood failed to give the spectrum of methæmoglobin. The symptoms passed off within twenty-four hours. During the illness, the man passed several green-coloured motions. The vomit was of a purplish-black colour—from the marking ink—and on analysis gave the reactions of aniline. Some of the ink was procured, and on being analysed was found to consist of hydrochloride of aniline and chloride of copper. The treatment consisted of stomach lavage and inhalations of oxygen, which gave the patient much relief.
Cases have been recorded of aniline poisoning in infants from absorption of the material from linen napkins, which were stamped with marking ink. Buchanan has seen lividity arise from the dry hydrochloride of aniline having been carried in a paper parcel in the waistcoat pocket for two or three days.
Post-mortem Appearances.—None characteristic.
Fatal dose.—Six drachms have proved fatal, probably less might do so.
Chemical Analysis.—Aniline may be separated from organic matter by alkalising and distilling the mixture.
1. If chloride of lime (bleaching powder) be added slowly to an aqueous solution of aniline, a deep purple colour is produced, which changes to brownish-red.
2. If strong sulphuric acid be added to aniline in a porcelain capsule it forms a dirty-white mass; on adding water and then potassium bichromate a bronze-green colour is produced, which changes rapidly to blue and then black.
3. If aniline be dissolved in excess of aqueous solution of phenol, and bleaching powder dropped into the mixture, a yellow streak changing to blue follows each drop.
4. Heated with corrosive sublimate a rich crimson colour is produced.
5. If aniline be mixed with a little chloroform and alcoholic solution of potash and heated, the peculiar odour of phenyl-isocyanide is given off.