NAPHTHA, BENZOL
OR BENZENE
This causes poisoning when swallowed or inhaled, e.g. glove cleaning, waterproofing, &c. Death has taken place in either way.
Symptoms.—In acute poisoning there is excitement, flushing of the face, cyanosis, dilated pupils, headache, slow breathing, stupor and coma, with gastro-intestinal irritation.
Hallucinations and delirium may occur amongst workers in it; idiosyncrasy plays a part. Women may become intoxicated, excited, and hysterical. It may cause headache, vertigo, narcosis, and inability to walk, with vomiting. Small hæmorrhages may occur. Rapid coma and death may occur when the vapour is concentrated.
Treatment.—When swallowed, the stomach tube should be used and ether and strychnine given hypodermically. When overcome by vapour, removal to the open air, artificial respiration, oxygen inhalations, and restoratives are required.
SULPHUR DIOXIDE
This is an irrespirible gas with the odour of burning sulphur. It is a preservative and bleaching agent, is used for disinfection, and occurs in certain industries.
The inhalation of the fumes causes a feeling of suffocation, with spasm of the glottis, and irritation of the nose, trachea, and bronchi, producing sneezing and cough; opacity of the cornea, dyspnœa, cyanosis, and convulsions may occur.
CHLORINE
The gas is used for disinfection and bleaching. In chemical works chronic poisoning may occur causing anæmia, emaciation, gastritis, dental caries, bronchitis, and emphysema. If concentrated, it causes dyspnœa, violent cough, hæmoptysis, stupor, and syncope.