ORIGIN.--The world’s supply of arsenic and arsenic compounds at the
present time is obtained from Germany, Spain, England, Canada and
portions of the United States, as Montana and Washington, where
considerable quantities of arsenic are being produced as a by-product in
the smelting of copper ores. Arsenic ore is roasted and purified by
sublimation, before it is used for medical purposes.
ARSENI TRIOXIDUM--ARSENIC TRIOXIDE
ACIDUM ARSENOSUM--ARCENOUS ACID
(White Arsenic)
DERIVATION.--Arsenical ores are roasted or conducted into condensing
chambers and purified by sublimation.
PROPERTIES.--A heavy solid, occurring either as an opaque, white powder,
or in irregular masses of two varieties; the one amorphous, transparent
and colorless, like glass; the other crystalline, opaque, and white,
resembling porcelain. Frequently the same piece has an opaque, white
outer crust enclosing the glassy variety. Contact with moist air
gradually changes the glassy into the white opaque variety. Both are
odorless and tasteless. The glassy variety dissolves slowly in thirty
parts of water; the porcelain-like in eighty parts of water. Arcenous
acid is sparingly soluble in alcohol, but soluble in glycerin,
hydrochloric acid and solutions of the alkali hydrates and carbonates.
When heated to 424°, arcenous acid is completely volatilized without
melting.
INCOMPATIBLES.--Lime water, salts of iron and magnesia.
DOSE.--Horses, 1 to 5 grs.; cattle, 2 to 8 grs.; sheep and pigs, 1 to 2
grs.; dogs, ¹⁄₃₀ to ¹⁄₁₀ gr.
LIQUOR POTASSII ARSENITIS--SOLUTION OF POTASSIUM ARSENITE (Fowler’s
Solution)
DERIVATION.--Arcenous acid, potassium bicarbonate, compound tincture of
lavender and distilled water. Strength one part of arcenous acid in 100.
DOSE.--Horses, 2 drs. to 1 oz.; cattle, ¹⁄₂ to 1¹⁄₂ ozs.; sheep and
pigs, 10 to 40 ms.; dogs, 2 to 5 ms. Average dose for horse is ¹⁄₂ oz.
usually given three times daily in drinking water or bran mash.