The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-09-22
ARSENIC POISONING FROM
 CONTAMINATED FOOD

AkSENlC FO1SON1NG FhOM CONTAMINATED FOOD
 Ever since we started digging new potatoes, writes 8 reader, my family has been having frequent attacks of stomach-ache. This always hap pens at the beginning of the new vegetable season but soon disap- pears, as rule. This year the pains continue and are still going strong. Myself particularly being especially fond of new potatoes, seems to suffer most. Diarrhea, in one instance followed by vomiting and painful attacks of indigestion (belching much gas), leaving the lower abdomen sore and bruised and a general feeling of laSsitude. The children have frequent pains and cramps in the stomach, too. We have had an exceptionally dry sea- son, and potatoes for the last few years have been attacked by potato bugs. To keep the bugs under we dose the potatoes with Paris green, but one dose never kills, in fact I've come to the conclusion that Paris green (acetoarsenite of copper) doesn't kill them at all, for we have to keep on dosing them to keep them under. Our potato patch has had this treatment now for four years. This year, having had no rain, we noticed when digging up the spuds that they are all attached to the main stem, and there are few f1brous orots on which you generally lind | the potatoes. I wonder if we are absorbing enough of the bug poison in the potatoes to account for our bellyac1e? ., (S. B. M)
 It is not unlikely that the corre- Spondent's surmise may be correct though I should not be too sure the arsenic is absorbed by eating the potatoes. It may be inhaled while applying Paris green.
 There is one way to determine whether members of the household have arsenic poisoning. Chemical analysis of the urine would show whether more than the normal max imum of arsenic is excreted through the kidneys-a minute quantity is normally excreted. If such chem ical analysis, made after the patient has received an intravenous injec- ton of about IS grains of sodium thiosulphate (hyposulphite) shows 8 markedly increased excretion of arsenic, that would establish the di- agnosis of chronic or subacute ar- senic poisoning.
 Besides cramps, nausea, vomiting, garlic-like odor of breath and skin, eczematous skin rashes, outbreaks of herpes, flushing or redness and ir- ritation of skin, puf6ness of eyelids or the skin above the eyebrows, pug zling spells of numbneSs, waxy pal- Tor, red injected eyelids or marginal inflammation of eyelids, sometimes attacks of "dead fingers" may be manifestations of chronic arsenic poisoning.
 Sodium thiosuplhate (hypoSulphite of Soda) is good remedy for chronic arsenic poisoning-it pro- mote more rapid excretion of the arsenic from the body. It may be safely taken in, doses of ten grains, dissolved in water, sweetened with snugar and favored with fruit juice. three times daily, after food, for several weeks. It is more effective when given by injection into a vein daily.
 I could mention numerous other sources of chronic arsenic poisoning if these were not such parlous times. I want to keep on teaching you how to keep well for a long while yet. So you had better write me about it.
 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
 Absorption
 I believe you claim nothing is abe