TRUE IRRITANTS include, besides certain of the corrosive poisons already mentioned, bromine, eantharides, eroton chlorine, antimony, ar senic, copper chromium, lead, tin, zinc, phospho rus, and iodine. In concentrated form most of them cause irritation to the gastrointestinal tract, but besides this show a specific action on various organs after their absorption by the blood. is time most commonly em ployed of this group, accidentally or with homicidal or suicidal intent. The substance is widely used in the arts and is a con stituent of some vermin exterminators. Poison ing may be acute or chronic. In acute cases the symptoms are those common to irri tant poisons. The chemical antidote is known as 'arsenic antidote,' and may be prepared by adding ammonia water to tincture of iron. It must be freshly prepared. Arsenic poisoning is generally fatal, a small dose (I to 3 grains) being sufficient to kill. Chronic poisoning by arsenic is also common as a result of inhalation or contact with the various arsenical greens used in coloring wall papers, carpets, etc., grind ing arsenic in mills, and from vapors in smelting copper. The symptoms are gastric irritation, cough, sneezing, throat troubles, gradually fail ing health. and paralysis. See ARSENIC.
Lead poisoning may also be acute or chronic, the latter being the most usual form. Acute cases are due to the ingestion of the acetate (sugar of lead), carbonate, oxide, or chromate of lead and mainly painters suffer. The prom inent symptoms are gastrointestinal irritation, cramps in the legs and abdomen, followed by paralysis of the extremities, convulsions, and coma. The sulphate of magnesia (Epsom salt)
is the antidote, forming an insoluble sulphate of lead, and acting in addition as a purge. Chronic poisoning arises from handling paints, drinking water condueted in lead pipes, the use of cos metics containing lead, and eating canned foods contaminated by solder. The symptoms come on insidiously and consist of a peculiar griping colic (lead colic), ohs-tinate constipation. nmseu lay cramps, paralysis of the extensor muscles of the forearms (wrist-drop), and a blue line at the junction of time gums and teeth. Chronic poisoning is treated by removing its source, and by the administration of Epsom salt and potas sium iodide to eliminate the lead already ab sorbed. See LEAD.
Phosphorus poisoning is due to yellow phos phorus, commonly derived from matches or rat poisons. 1Vorkers in match factories are most usually attacked, although rat poison is some times taken with suicidal intent. The poison is very active and recovery is rare. The prominent symptoms in acute poisoning are vomiting of matters luminous in the dark, a smell of phos phorus in the breath, inflammation of the stom ach and intestines. jaundice, convulsions, and coma. Treatment consists in washing out the stomach and the administration of old oil of turpentine, or potassium permanganate.