PHOSPHORUS AND ARSENIC Phosphorus. —Only the yellow phosphorus is poisonous. Medi cinal preparations which may cause poisoning are solutions of phos phorus in oil or with cod liver oil. The heads of matches containing phosphorus are frequently swallowecl with suicidal intent. Rat poison often contains phosphorus.
gastric symptoms with vomiting of phosphor escent matter, smelling of garlic. After a few days enlargement of the liver, jaundice, diarrhcea. In the urine albumin and biliary coloring matter. At the autopsy advanced degeneration of the liver and heart, Inemorrhages from the stomach and mucous membrane. One should not confound acute cases of sepsis with phosphorus poisoning.
castor oil and fats must on no account be given. Wash stomach thoroughly with one-tenth per cent. to one-half pox cent. solution of potassium permanganate. Give as emetic 0.1-0.5 1.0 Gni. (2 to 8 to 16 gr.) of sulphate of copper well diluted, and from time to time give teaspoonful doses of a solution of sulphate of copper, 1 Gm. (15 gr.) in one pint of water. Old oil of turpentine of acid reaction
is a useful antidote; 1.0 G rn. (15 gr). may be given dissolved in a cup of oatmeal gruel and repeated.
Ar,enic.—Accidental taking of the drug, criminal attempts, chew ing and licking of toys, carpeting, etc., colored with arsenic (the latter a very rare form of poisoning at present) excretion of arsenic with the. breast-milk. A man tries to poison his wife; the infant she nurses dies and arsenic is found in the cadaver.
cholera-like diarrhceri, tenesmus, cramps in the extremities, convulsions.
Treatment.—Lavage of the stomach and intestines, hypodermo clysis. The freshly prepared antidote (hydrated oxide of iron) in table spoonful doses every 10-15 minutes. Dilute burnt magnesia with 15 to 20 parts of water; give 2-3 tablespoonfuls every 10-15 minutes. Stimulants, hot pack, camphor injeetions.