[700] Fresenius has pointed out that sulphur may mask small quantities of arsenic, antimony, tin, &c., and he recommends that the turbid liquid in which apparently nothing but sulphur has separated should be treated as follows:—A test-tube is half filled with the liquid, and then a couple of c.c. of petroleum ether or of benzene added, the tube closed by the thumb, and the contents well shaken. The sulphur dissolves, and is held in solution by the solvent, which latter forms a clear upper layer. If traces of a metallic sulphide were mixed with the sulphur, thin coloured films are seen at the junction of the two layers, and the sulphides may also coat the tube above the level of the liquid with a slight faintly-coloured pellicle (Chem. News, Jan. 4, 1895).
§ 707. Metallic Arsenic, at. wt. 75, specific gravity of solid 5·62 to 5·96, sublimes without fusion in small quantities at 110° (230° F.) Guy. It occurs in commerce in whitish-grey, somewhat brittle, crystalline masses, and is obtained by subjecting arsenical pyrites to sublimation in earthen retorts, the arsenic being deposited in suitable receivers on sheet iron. Metallic arsenic is probably not poisonous, but may be changed by the animal fluids into soluble compounds, and then exert toxic effects—volatilised metallic arsenic is easily transformed in the presence of air into arsenious acid, and is therefore intensely poisonous.
§ 708. Arsenious Anhydride—Arsenious Acid—White Arsenic—Arsenic, As2O3 = 198; specific gravity of vapour, 13·85; specific gravity of opaque variety, 3·699; specific gravity of transparent variety, 3·7385. Composition in 100 parts, As 75·75, O 24·25; therefore one part of metallic arsenic equals 1·32 of As2O3. It is entirely volatilised at a temperature of 204·4°.
In analysis it is obtained in brilliant octahedral crystals as a sublimate on discs of glass, or within tubes, the result of heating a film of metallic arsenic with access of air. It is obtained in commerce on a very large scale from the roasting of arsenical pyrites. As thus derived, it is usually in the form of a white cake, the arsenious acid existing in two forms—an amorphous and a crystalline—the cake being generally opaque externally, whilst in the centre it is transparent. According to Kruger, this change from the crystalline to the amorphous condition is dependent upon the absorption of moisture, no alteration taking place in dry air. Both varieties of arsenious anhydride are acid to test-paper.
The solubility of arsenious acid is often a question involving chemical legal matters of great moment. Unfortunately, however, no precisely definite statement can be made on this point, the reason being that the two varieties of arsenic occur in very different proportions in different samples. Both the amorphous and crystalline varieties having very unequal solubilities, every experimenter in succession has given a different series of figures, the only agreement amid the general discrepancy being that arsenic is very sparingly soluble in water.
The statement of Taylor may, however, be accepted as very near the truth, viz., that an ounce of cold water dissolves from half a grain to a grain. According to M. L. A. Buchner,[701] one part of crystalline arsenious acid dissolves after twenty-four hours’ digestion in 355 parts of water at 15°; and the amorphous, under the same condition, in 108 of water. A boiling solution of the crystalline acid, left to stand for twenty-four hours, retains one part of acid in 46 of water; a similar solution of the amorphous retains one of arsenic in 30 parts of water, i.e., 100 parts of water dissolve from 2·01 to 3·3 parts of As2O3.
[701] Bull. de la Société Chem. de Paris, t. xx. 10, 1873.
Boiling water poured on the powdered substance retains in cooling a grain and a quarter to the ounce; in other words, 100 parts of water retain ·10. Lastly, arsenious acid boiled in water for an hour is dissolved in the proportion of 12 grains to the ounce, i.e., 100 parts of water retain 2·5.
K. Chodomisky[702] has investigated the solubility of recrystallised arsenious acid in dilute acids, and his results are as follows:—100 c.c. of 1·32 per cent. hydrochloric acid dissolves 1·15 grm. As2O3 at 18·5°. 100 c.c. of 6 per cent. hydrochloric acid dissolves 1·27 grm. at 18·5°. 100 c.c. of pure hydrochloric acid of the ordinary commercial strength dissolves 1·45 grm. As2O3. 100 c.c. of dilute sulphuric acid at 18° dissolves about 0·54 grm.; at 18·5° from 0·65 to 0·72 grm.; and at 80° from 1·09 to 1·19 grm.
[702] Chem. Centrbl., 1889, 569.
§ 709. Arsine—Arseniuretted Hydrogen, H3As.—Mol. weight, 78; vol. weight, 39; specific gravity, 2·702; weight of a litre, 3·4944 grammes; percentage composition, 95·69 As, 4·31 H; volumetric composition, 2 vol. H3As = half vol. As + 3 vol. H. A colourless inflammable gas, of a fœtid alliaceous odour, coercible into a limpid colourless liquid at a temperature of from -30° to -40°. The products of the combustion of arseniuretted hydrogen are water and arsenious acid; thus, 2H3As + 6O = 3H2O + As2O3. If supplied with air in insufficient quantity, if the flame itself be cooled by (for example) a cold porcelain plate, or if the gas pass through a tube any portion of which is heated to redness, the gas is decomposed and the metal separated. Such a decomposition may be compared to the deposit of carbon from ordinary flames, when made to play upon a cooled surface. It may also be decomposed by the electric spark,[703] e.g., if the gas is passed slowly through a narrow tube 0·7 to 0·8 mm. internal diameter, provided with wires 0·5 to 0·6 mm. apart, and a small induction coil used connected with two large Bunsen’s cells, then, under these conditions, arsenic as a metal is deposited in the neighbourhood of the sparks. For the decomposition to be complete, the gas should not be delivered at a greater speed than from 10 to 15 c.c. per minute. The gas burns with a blue-white flame, which is very characteristic, and was first observed by Wackenroder. It cannot, however, be properly seen by using the ordinary apparatus of Marsh, for the flame is always coloured from the glass; but if the gas is made to stream through a platinum jet, and then ignited, the characters mentioned are very noteworthy.
[703] N. Klobrikow, Zeit. Anal. Chem., xxix. 129-133.
Oxygen or air, and arsine, make an explosive mixture. Chlorine decomposes the gas with great energy, combining with the hydrogen, and setting free arsenic as a brown cloud; any excess of chlorine combines with the arsenic as a chloride. Sulphur, submitted to arseniuretted hydrogen, forms sulphuretted hydrogen, whilst first arsenic and then sulphide of arsenic separate. Phosphorus acts in a similar way. Arseniuretted and sulphuretted hydrogen may be evolved at ordinary temperatures without decomposition; at the boiling-point of mercury (350°) they are decomposed, sulphide of arsenic and hydrogen being formed; thus, 3H2S + 2AsH3 = As2S3 + 6H2, a reaction which is of some importance from a practical point of view. Many metals have also the property of decomposing the gas at high temperatures, and setting hydrogen free. Metallic oxides, again, in like manner combine with arsenic, and set water free, e.g., 3CuO + 2H3As = Cu3As2 + 3H2O.
Arsine acts on solutions of the noble metals like phosphuretted hydrogen, precipitating the metal and setting free arsenious acid; for example, nitrate of silver is decomposed thus—
12AgNO3 + 2H3As + 3H2O = As2O3 + 12HNO3 + 12Ag.
Vitali[704] thinks the reaction is in two stages, thus:—
[704] L’Orosi, 1892, 397-411.
(1) 2AsH3 + 12AgNO3 = 2(Ag3As3AgNO3) + 6HNO3.
(2) 2(Ag3As,3AgNO3) + 6H2O = 6HNO3 + 6Ag2 + 2H3AsO3.
This reaction admits of valuable practical application to the estimation of arsenic; for the precipitated silver is perfectly arsenic-free; the excess of nitrate of silver is easily got rid of by a chloride of sodium solution, and the absorption and decomposition of the gas are complete.
In cases of poisoning by arsine, the blood, when examined by the spectroscope (a process the analyst should never omit where it is possible), is of a peculiar inky colour, and the bands between D and C are melted together, and have almost vanished. Such blood, exposed to oxygen remains unaltered.
§ 710. Arsine in the Arts, &c.—In the bronzing of brass, in the desilverising of lead by zinc, and subsequent treatment of the silver zinc with hydrochloric acid, in the tinning of sheet iron, and similar processes, either from the use of acids containing arsenic as an impurity, or from the application of arsenic itself, arsine is evolved.
§ 711. Effects on Animals and Man of Breathing Arsine.—The most general effect on mammals is to produce jaundice, bloody urine, and bile. In the course of numerous experiments on dogs, Stadelmann[705] found that by making them breathe a dose of arsine, which would not be immediately fatal, icterus was always produced under these circumstances, and could be always detected by the appearance of the tissues. The bile is remarkably thickened, and the theory is, that in such cases the jaundice is purely mechanical, the gall-duct being occluded by the inspissated bile. Rabbits experimented upon similarly showed increased biliary secretion, but no jaundice; while it was proved that cats are not so sensitive to arsine as either rabbits or dogs. There are not wanting instances of arsine having been breathed by man—the discoverer of the gas, Gehlen, was in fact the first victim on record. In order to discover a flaw in his apparatus he smelt strongly at the joints, and died in eight days from the effects of the inhalation.
[705] Die Arsenwasserstoff-Vergiftung, Archiv f. exper. Path. u. Pharm., Leipzig, 1882.
Nine persons, workmen in a factory, were poisoned by arsine being evolved during the treatment by hydrochloric acid of silver-lead containing arsenic. Three of the nine died; their symptoms were briefly as follows:—
(1) H. K., 22 years old; his duty was to pour hydrochloric acid on the metal. Towards mid-day, after this operation, he complained of nausea, giddiness, and malaise. In the afternoon he felt an uncommon weight of the limbs, and an oppression in breathing. His fellow-workmen thought that he looked yellow. On going home he lay down and passed into a narcotic sleep. Next morning he went to his work as usual, but was not capable of doing anything; he passed bloody urine several times throughout the day, and fell into a deep sleep, from which he could scarcely be roused. On the third day after the accident, a physician called in found him in a deep sleep, with well-developed jaundice, the temperature moderately high, pulse 100. On the fifth day the jaundice diminished, but it was several months before he could resume his work.
(2) J. T., aged 19, suffered from similar symptoms after five and a half hours’ exposure to the gas. He went home, vomited, was jaundiced, and suffered from bloody urine; in six days became convalescent, but could not go to work for many months.
(3) C. E. was very little exposed, but was unwell for a few days.
(4) L. M., 37 years old, was exposed two days to the gas; he vomited, had bloody urine, passed into a narcotic sleep, and died in three days from the date of the first exposure.
(5) J. S., aged 40, was exposed for two days to the gas; the symptoms were similar to No. 4, there was suppression of urine, the catheter drawing blood only, and death in eight days.
(6) M. E., 36 years old; death in three days with similar symptoms.
(7), (8), and (9) suffered like Nos. 1 and 2, and recovered after several months.
The chief post-mortem appearance was a dirty green colour of the mucous membrane of the intestines, and congestion of the kidneys. Arsenic was detected in all parts of the body.[706]
[706] Trost, Vergiftung durch Arsenwasserstoff bei der technischen Gewinnung des Silbers, Vierteljahrsschrift f. gericht. Med., xviii. Bd., 2 Heft, S. 6, 1873.
Two cases are detailed by Dr. Valette in Tardieu’s Étude.[707] A mistake occurred in a laboratory, by which a solution of arsenic (instead of sulphuric acid) was poured on zinc to develop hydrogen. Of the two sufferers, the one recovered after an illness of about a week or ten days, the other died at the end of twenty-eight days. The main symptoms were yellowness of skin, vomiting, bloody urine, great depression, slight diarrhœa, headache, and in the fatal case a morbiliform eruption. In a case recorded in the British Medical Journal, November 4, 1876, there were none of the usual symptoms of gastric irritation, but loss of memory of recent acts, drowsiness, and giddiness.
[707] Ambroise Tardieu, Étude Médico-légale sur l’Empoisonnement, Obs. xxv. p. 449.
§ 712. The Sulphides of Arsenic.—Of the sulphides of arsenic, two only, realgar and orpiment, are of any practical importance. Realgar, As2S2 = 214; specific gravity, 3·356; composition in 100 parts, As 70·01, S 29·91; average composition of commercial product, As 75, S 25. Realgar is found native in ruby-red crystals, and is also prepared artificially by heating together 9 parts of arsenic and 4 of sulphur, or 198 parts of arsenious anhydride with 112 parts of sulphur, 2As2O3 + 7S = 2As2S2 + 3SO2. It is insoluble in water and in hydrochloric acid, but is readily dissolved by potassic disulphide, by nitric acid, and by aqua regia. It is decomposed by caustic potash, leaving undissolved a brown sediment (As12S), which contains 96·5 per cent. of arsenic. The dissolved portion is readily converted into arsine by aluminium.
§ 713. Orpiment, or Arsenic Trisulphide.—As2S3 = 246; specific gravity, 3·48; composition in 100 parts, As 60·98, S 39·02; found native in crystals, presents itself in the laboratory usually as a brilliant yellow amorphous powder, on passing sulphuretted hydrogen through an acid solution of arsenious acid or an arsenite. It is very insoluble in water (about one in a million, Fresenius), scarcely soluble in boiling concentrated hydrochloric acid, and insoluble generally in dilute acids. Red fuming nitric acid dissolves it, converting it into arsenic and sulphuric acids; ammonia and other alkaline sulphides, the alkalies themselves, alkaline carbonates, bisulphide of potassium, and aqua regia, all dissolve it readily. In the arts it is used as King’s yellow (see p. 532). Tanners also formerly employed a mixture of 90 parts of orpiment and 10 of quicklime, under the name of Rusma, as a depilatory; but the alkaline sulphides from gas-works are replacing this to a great extent.
§ 714. Haloid Arsenical Compounds.—The Chloride of Arsenic, AsCl3 = 181·5; specific gravity liquid, 0° 2·205; boiling-point 134° (273·2°F.), is a heavy, colourless, oily liquid, which has been used as an escharotic in cancerous affections (principally by quacks). In one process of detecting and estimating arsenic, the properties of this substance are utilised (see p. 575). It is immediately decomposed by water into arsenious and hydrochloric acids.
The Iodide of Arsenic (AsI3) is used occasionally in skin diseases, but is of little interest to the analyst; it is commonly seen in the form of brick-red brilliant flakes.
§ 715. Arsenic in the Arts.—The metal is used in various alloys; for example, speculum metal is made of tin, copper, and a little arsenic; white copper is an alloy of copper and arsenic; shot is composed of 1000 parts of lead mixed with 3 of arsenic; the common Britannia metal used for tea-pots, spoons, &c., often contains arsenic; and brass is bronzed with a thin film of arsenic. It was formerly much employed in the manufacture of glass, but is being gradually superseded. It is also now used to some extent in the reduction of indigo blue, and in that of nitro-benzole in the manufacture of aniline.
In cases of suspected poisoning, therefore, and the finding of arsenic in the stomach, or elsewhere, it may be set up as a defence that the arsenic was derived from shot used in the cleansing of bottles, from the bottles themselves, or from metal vessels, such as tea-pots, &c.
The arsenic in all these alloys being extremely insoluble, any solution to a poisonous extent is in the highest degree improbable. It may, however, be necessary to treat the vessels with the fluid or fluids which have been supposed to exert this prejudicial action, and test them for arsenic. The treatment should, of course, be of a severe and exhaustive character, and the fluids should be allowed to stand cold in the vessels for twenty-four hours; then the effect of a gentle heat should be studied, and, lastly, that of boiling temperatures. The analysis of the alloy itself, or of the glass, it would seldom be of value to undertake, for the crushed and finely divided substance is in a condition very different from that of the article when entire, and inferences drawn from such analytical data would be fallacious.
Arsenious anhydride is also used for the preservation of wood, and is thrown occasionally into the holds of vessels in large quantities to prevent vegetable decomposition. In India, again, a solution of arsenic is applied to the walls as a wash, in order to prevent the attacks of insects.
§ 716. Pharmaceutical, Non-officinal, and other Preparations of Arsenic.—(1) Pharmaceutical Preparations.—The Liquor arsenicalis (Fowler’s solution), or solution of arsenic of the pharmacopœia, is composed of:—
| Carbonate of Potash, | 87 grains (5·64 grms.) |
| Arsenious Acid, | 87 gra„ns(5·64 g„ms.) |
| Compound Tincture of Lavender, | 5 drachms (17·72 c.c.) |
dissolved in 1 pint (567·9 c.c.) of water; every ounce, therefore, contains 4·3 grains of arsenious acid (or 100 c.c. = ·9As2O3); the strength is therefore nearly 1 per cent.
Liquor Ammonii Arsenitis (not officinal) is made of the same strength, ammonium carbonate being substituted for potassic carbonate.
The hydrochloric solution of arsenic is simply arsenious acid dissolved in hydrochloric acid; its strength should be exactly the same as that of Fowler’s solution.
A solution of arseniate of soda[708] contains the anhydrous salt in the proportion of 4 grains to the ounce (·9 in 100 c.c.) of water.
[708] The formula for arseniate of soda is Na2HAsO47H2O, but it sometimes contains more water.
Liquor Arsenii et Hydrargyri Iodidi (Donovan’s Solution of Arsenic).—This is not officinal, but is used to some extent in skin diseases; it is a solution of the iodides of mercury and arsenic; strength about 1 per cent. of each of the iodides.
Arseniate of Iron, Fe3As2O8, is an amorphous green powder, used to some extent in medicine. It should contain 33·6 per cent. of metallic arsenic.
Clemen’s Solution.—A solution of the bromide and arseniate of potassium; strength equal to 1 per cent. arsenious acid. Officinal in U.S., France, and Norway.
Pilula Asiatica (not officinal) is composed of arsenious acid, extract of gentian, and black pepper. There is 1⁄12th of a grain (5·4 milligrams) of arsenious acid in each pill.
Dr. De Valanguis’ Solutio solventes mineralis is composed of 30 grains of As2O3 dissolved by 90 minims of HCl in 20 oz. of water; strength = 0·034 per cent. As2O3.
(2) Veterinary Arsenical Medicine.—Common veterinary preparations containing arsenic are:—A ball for worms, containing in parts—
| Calomel, | 1·3 | per cent. |
| Arsenious Acid, | 1·3 | per „ |
| Tin Filings, | 77·9 | per „ |
| Venice Turpentine,[709] | 19·5 | per „ |
[709] The Venice turpentine is rarely found in ordinary commerce, what is sold under that name consisting of black resin and oil of turpentine.
A common tonic ball:[710]—
[710] A similar preparation in common use has the addition of sulphate of zinc.
| Arsenious Acid, | 5 to 10 grains (·324 to ·648 grm.) | |||||
| Aniseed, | 1⁄2 oz. | ( | 14 | ·1744 | grms. | ) |
| Opium, | 30 grains | ( | 1 | ·94 | gr„ | ) |
| Treacle, | q. s. | |||||
An arsenical ball, often given by grooms to horses for the purpose of improving their coats, contains in 100 parts:—
| Arsenious Acid, | 2 | ·5 | per cent. |
| Pimento, | 19 | ·2 | „ |
| Extract of Gentian, | 78 | ·3 | „ |
Another ball in use is composed of arsenic and verdigris (acetate of copper), of each 8 grains (·518 grm.); cupric sulphate, 20 grains (1·3 grm.); q. s. of linseed meal and treacle.
(3) Rat and Fly Poisons, &c.—An arsenical paste sold for rats has the following composition:—
| Arsenious Acid, | 5 | ·0 | per cent. |
| Lampblack, | ·6 | „ | |
| Wheat Flour, | 46 | ·3 | „ |
| Suet, | 46 | ·3 | „ |
| Oil of Aniseed, a small quantity. | |||
Another rat poison is composed as follows:—
| White Arsenic, | 46 | ·8 | per cent. |
| Carbonate of Baryta, | 46 | ·8 | „ |
| Rose-pink,[711] | 5 | ·8 | „ |
| Oil of Aniseed, | ·2 | „ | |
| Oil of Rhodium, | ·2 | „ |
[711] Alum and carbonate of lead coloured with Brazil and peach woods.
Various arsenical preparations are used to kill flies; the active principle of the brown “papier moure” is arsenious acid. A dark grey powder, which used to be sold under the name of fly-powder, consisted of metallic arsenic that had been exposed some time to the air.
Fly-water is a strong solution of arsenious acid of uncertain strength, sweetened with sugar, treacle, or honey. Another fly-poison consists of a mixture of arsenious acid, tersulphide of arsenic, treacle, and honey.
(4) Quack and other Nostrums.—The analyst may meet with several quack preparations for external use in cancer. A celebrated arsenical paste for this purpose is composed of:—
| Arsenious Acid, | 8 | per cent. |
| Cinnabar, | 70 | „ |
| Dragon’s Blood, | 22 | „ |
Frères Come’s Cancer Paste is composed of arsenious acid, 1; charcoal, 1; red mercury sulphide, 4; water, q. s.
The tasteless “ague drops” used in the fen countries are simply a solution of arsenite of potash.
Davidson’s Cancer Remedy consists, according to Dr. Paris, of equal parts of arsenious acid and powdered hemlock.
In India, arsenic given as a medicine by native practitioners, or administered as a poison, may be found coloured and impure, from having been mixed either with cow’s urine, or with the juice of leaves, &c.[712]
[712] Chevers, Med. Jurisprudence for India, p. 116.
Arsenious acid is used by dentists to destroy the nervous pulp of decayed and painful teeth, about the twenty-fifth of a grain (2·5 mgrms.) being placed in the cavity. A common formula is arsenious acid, 2; sulphate of morphine, 1; creasote, q. s. to make a stiff paste. There is no record of any accident having resulted from this practice hitherto; but since the dentist seldom weighs the arsenic, it is not altogether free from danger.
(5) Pigments, &c.—King’s yellow should be As2S3, the trisulphide of arsenic or orpiment. It is frequently adulterated with 80 to 90 per cent. of arsenious acid, and in such a case is, of course, more poisonous. King’s yellow, if pure, yields to water nothing which gives any arsenical reaction.
A blue pigment, termed mineral blue, consists of about equal parts of arsenite of copper and potash, and should contain 38·7 per cent. of metallic arsenic (= to 51·084 As2O3H) and 15·6 of copper.
Schweinfurt green (Syn. Emerald-green), (CuAs2O4)3Cu(C2H3O2)2 is a cupric arsenite and acetate, and should contain 25 per cent. of copper and 58·4 per cent. of arsenious acid. In analysis, the copper in this compound is readily separated from the arsenic by first oxidising with nitric acid, and then adding to the nitric acid solution ammonia, until the blue colour remains undissolved. At this point ammonium oxalate is added in excess, the solution is first acidified by hydrochloric or nitric acid, and, on standing, the copper separates completely (or almost so) as Oxalate, the arsenic remaining in solution.
Another method is to pass SH2 to saturation, collect the sulphides on a filter, and, after washing and drying the mixed sulphides, oxidise with fuming nitric acid, evaporate to dryness, and again treat with nitric acid. The residue is fused with soda and potassic nitrate, the fused mass is dissolved in water, acidulated with nitric acid, and the copper is precipitated by potash; the solution is filtered, and in the filtrate the arsenic is precipitated as ammonio-magnesian arseniate or as trisulphide.[713]
[713] P. Gucci, Chem. Centrbl., 1887, 1528.
Scheele’s green (CuHAsO3) is a hydrocupric arsenite, and contains 52·8 per cent. of arsenious anhydride and 33·8 per cent. of copper.
(6) External Application of Arsenic for Sheep, &c.—Many of these are simply solutions of arsenic, the solution being made by the farmer. Most of the yellow sheep-dipping compounds of commerce are made up either of impure carbonate of potash, or of soda ash, arsenic, soft soap, and sulphur. The French bain de Tessier is composed of:—
| Arsenious Acid, | 1·00 | kgrm. |
| Ferrous Sulphate, | 10·00 | „ |
| Peroxide of Iron, | 0·40 | „ |
| Gentian Powder, | 0·20 | „ |
This is to be added to 100 kgrms. of water. Another common application consists of alum and arsenic (10 or 12 to 1), dissolved in two or three hundred parts of water.
(7) Arsenical Soaps, &c.—Arsenic is used in preserving the skins of animals. One of the compounds for this purpose, known under the name of Bécoeur’s arsenical soap, has the following composition:—
| Camphor, | 3·4 | per cent. |
| Arsenic, | 20·2 | „ |
| Carbonate of Potash, | 56·2 | „ |
| Lime,[714] | 20·2 | „ |
[714] The dust from the preserved skins of animals has caused, at least, one case of poisoning. Ann. d’Hyg. Pub. et de Méd. Lég., 2 sér., 1870, t. xxxiii, p. 314.
(8) Arsenical compounds used in pyrotechny:—
§ 717. Statistics.—During the ten years 1883-92 there were registered in England and Wales 113 deaths from arsenic; of these 57, or about half, were suicidal deaths, and 5 were classed under the head of “murder”; the rest were due to accident. The age and sex distribution of persons dying from accidental or suicidal arsenical poisoning are detailed in the following table:—
DEATHS FROM ARSENIC DURING THE TEN YEARS 1883-1892.
| Accident or Negligence. | ||||||
| Ages, | 1-5 | 5-15 | 15-25 | 25-65 | 65 and above |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Males, | 1 | 4 | 3 | 23 | 6 | 37 |
| Females, | 4 | ... | 3 | 4 | 3 | 14 |
| Total, | 5 | 4 | 6 | 27 | 9 | 51 |
| Suicide. | ||||||
| Ages, | 15-25 | 25-65 | 65 and above |
Total | ||
| Males, | 3 | 32 | 2 | 37 | ||
| Females, | 5 | 12 | 3 | 20 | ||
| Total, | 8 | 44 | 5 | 57 | ||
§ 718. Law Relative to the Sale of Arsenic.—By the 14th of Vict. c. 12, every person selling arsenic is bound to keep a written record of every particular relative to each transaction, such as the name, abode, and calling of the purchaser, the purpose for which the poison is required, and the quantity sold, &c. These particulars are to be signed also by the purchaser. No person (sec. 2) is allowed to sell arsenic to any one unknown to the seller, unless in the presence of a witness whom the seller is acquainted with. The arsenic sold (sec. 3) is to be mixed with soot or indigo in the proportion of half an ounce of indigo to a pound of arsenic. It, therefore, follows that the coloured substance should not contain more than 70 per cent. of arsenious acid. The Act applies to all the colourless preparations of arsenic: but it is not to affect chemists in making up prescriptions for medical men, or in supplying medical men; nor is it to affect the wholesale dealers in supplying arsenic to retail shops, &c. The penalty for conviction is £20, or less.[715]