The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1933-09-25
Arsenic Is Like Fleas on the Dog

A wee bit of arsenic is normally
present in the body. A trace of ar
senic is constantly excreted thru the
kidneys. Probably q minute quantity
of arsenic In one form or another IS
essential in human nutrition. It re-
sembles fleas on a dog, as Josh Blu
ings regarded that problem. But when
a little too much arsenic gets into the
system it causes bizarre effects. Here
are some of the manifestations OF
chronic arsenic poisoning:
Neuritis mot the mere vague acne
that SO many wiseacres like to eau
neuritis, but the real thing. recurring
or intractable chronic eczema or SINH
lar skin trouble, red injected eyeud
Innings and puffiness of the eyelids,
inexplicable numbness or pares1s
(weakness) of arm or leg or some
smaller muscle group, q constant mild
coryza, a constant slight hoarSeness,
vague digestive disturbances. gastric
distress and colicky pains, peculiar
Waxy pallor, perhaps an onion or gar
lie odor about the skin, sweat or
breath.
In several cases on record 1t has
seemed that chronic arsenic poisoning
was the cause OF Raynaud's affection
dead fingers" At any rate, the
victims found lasting relief from the
attacks after they were removed from
the arsenical environment or received
proper treatment for arsenic poison
ing.
An unconsidered source Of chronic
arsenic poisoning is the otherwise
healthful and commendable practice
OF eating fresh fruit, skins and all,
or eating berries, cherries, grapes, ETC.,
without careful washing. The ob|ec-
ton is that such fruit may carry
considerable quantities of arsenic that
has been recently applied in some In
secticide spray. This might not be
Of any significance In the case Of oc-
casional indulgence in such fresh
fruit, but it is of importance where
one is in the habit Of eating an apple
day or anything like that. Keep
right on eating plenty OF apples,
cherries, berries or what have you.
but see that they are thoroly washed
before you eat them. OF course, mere
washing with water may not remove
all the arsenic, If any is present. But
1t certainly helps, and personally, ]
don't worry much about either arsenic
poisoning or the ingestion OF insect
eggs If I have washed the apple with
soap and water and rinsed 1t well be-
fore / sink my teeth In it.
Since there Is q wee bit OF arsenic
normally excreted in the urine. II
would not do to decide that patient
has arsenic poisoning just because .
trace Of arsenic Is discovered In the
urine. Instead the doctor injects one
half gram approximately z grains
Of sodium hyposulphite dormerl!
called thiosulphate Of soda, commonl!
used by photographers as ftxint
agent) into the patients vein. TIL
Ihyposulphite picks up the arsenic ant
eliminates it thru the kidneys. + tn
ia hour specimen shows quantity o
arsenic greater than the normal maxi
mum in the urine, that Is fair evi
dence that the patient has too mucl
arsenic In hts system.
Well, II SO, then what? For on
thing 1t Is very good idea to keel
Ion injecting the hyposulphite ever.
day for q few weeks and see whethe
the elimination Of the arsenic doe
not bring steady improvement in tn
patients condition. That Is the cours
for ordinary folk. Connecticut Yam