The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1886-11-03
ARsENrcaL POISONING.
Many People Endangered by IN
DeadIy Rrtpg

Many People Endangered by the
Deadly Drug.
Slow poisoning by arsenic is generally
due to accident. If we can believe the
stories about the Middle Age prisoners, it
nal design. Before chemistry had made
the detection of this substance so certain
and easy, this may have been so. No
modern criminal would attempt to dispose
OF an Objectionable person in this way, for
his detection would almost surely follow
Many coloring matters contain arsenic,
and this is especially true of those employed
IN printing wall paper. Not only the bril-
liant greens, which are ordinarily respected
but many of the quiet colors have arsenic
as base. The aniline reds, magenta, SOL
ferino and fuchsine all contain the deadly
substance. Individuals who wear articles
of underelothing colored with aniline, with
out first thoroughly washing them, have
frequently suffered from symptoms of arsen-
ical poisoning. Sleepers in rooms hung
with paper colored with these pigments,
especially if great attention is not given to
keeping the apartments dry, are often pois-
oned by the gases given off. If the rooms
are dry there is no danger of the color COM
ing off in the shape of an impalpable pow
der which may be breathed or become mix
ed with the food or drink. Many "Ague
cures, y especially those which are certified
TO contain no quinine or other preparations
of Peruvian bark, do contain arsenic This
is a valuable remedy against malarial pois.
oning, but if it is taken too long without
proper intervals in which it IL not tuken, it
produces the symptoms of slow poisoning
by arsenic. The constant use of paris
green--a compound Of arsenic and copper,
to destroy insects on growing plants may
cause enough of the arsenic TO be taken up
by the vegetables to produce poisoning in
those who make use of them as articles OF
diet.
Makers of artificial flowers, dressmaker
who make articles of dress out of green tar
letan, naturalists and taxidermist who EN-.
ploy this material (arsenic) as o preserva-
tive of natural history specimens, workmen
in chemical manufactures and smelters OF
ores containing arsenic, are all liable to be-
come poisoned by its vapor or by having
the powdered substance mixed with their
food.
1t would seem that certain individuals
acquire tolerance for this poison, but
this certainly does not apply to the major
ity of mankind. Reports that seem trust
worthy affirm that many Of the mountain
GERS of Syria take several grains of ordi.
nary white arsenic day, and continue the
habit for years without any deleteriou.
effects.
The symptoms of slow poisoning by ar
senic. are generally quite characteristic.
These are sickness at the stomach, yomit-
ing, pains in the stomach and bowels weak
ness of the limbs, trembling of the hands,
bleeding from the nose and swelling of the
face. This swelling is especially noticed
about the lower eyelid. Painting attacks.
pains in the joints, contractions of the fin.
gers and toes, commissions like those OF
epilepsy, and sometimes complete paralysis
of the lower limbs have been observed in
severe cases Eruptions upon the skin and
inflammation of the lining membrane of
the eyelids have often been noticed. If the
taking of the poison into the system is not
stopped death is the almost certain conse-
luence. Sometimes the hair and nails fall
off, and local paralysis is far from uncom.
mon. The treatment is to cut off the sup
ply Of arsenic, give bitter tonics to increase
the appetite, and iron to improve the blood.
To remove contractions of muscles and to
overcome paralysis, passive exercise (mas-
sage) and the judicious use of electricity
should be the means most to be trusted.