DERIVATION.--Arcenous iodide, red mercuric iodide, and distilled water,
which should contain not less then one per cent of arcenous iodide and
one per cent of mercuric iodide.
DOSE.--Same as liquor potassii arsenitis.
ACTIONS.--Arsenic and its compounds are gastro-intestinal and pulmonary
tonic, a stimulant and alterative, acting particularly on the digestive
and respiratory mucous membranes and skin. It is antiperiodic and tonic;
also antispasmodic in diseases of the nervous system, and is a nervine
tonic. In large doses it is a corrosive-irritant poison, killing either
by gastro-enteritis, or nervous paresis. Continued doses produce fatty
degeneration. On account of its being a stomachic, small doses promote
the appetite and digestion. Large doses inflame the stomach and derange
digestion. It increases the cardiac action, respiratory power, and
secretion of the intestines. It also stimulates peristalsis. When
tolerance is established, large doses are taken with impunity.
EXTERNALLY.--Arsenic is a very painful escharotic, exciting violent
inflammation. It is a caustic, antiseptic, and parasiticide, and is
frequently used as a sheep dip. It is eliminated chiefly by the kidneys,
skin and saliva and milk of nursing animals.
USES.--It should not be given in acute diseases. It is given as a
general tonic after debilitating diseases especially when the lungs are
involved, as in pneumonia, bronchitis and pleurisy. Arsenic combined
with bran mashes is beneficial in stocking or swelling of the legs. As
for its use in chronic indigestion, other medicines had better be
resorted to. It assists in the expulsion of worms. Useful in chronic
diseases of the air passage. Arsenic relieves irritable chronic coughs,
and roaring in early stages, as well as thick and broken wind and
heaves. As an alterative modifying tissue change it is prescribed in
early stages of tuberculosis, chronic rheumatism, chorea and epilepsy.
It prevents periodically returning fevers. In anaemia it increases both
red and white blood corpuscles. For chorea in dogs, commence with a
small dose, three times daily and increase a minimum per dose every
third or fourth day until the physiological limit is reached as
described under (Toxicology of Arsenic).
ACTIONS ON THE SKIN.--Administered internally it stimulates the dermis
and hastens the removal of epidermal cells; hence it is useful in all
chronic skin diseases, as chronic eczema, scab, mange and warts. To
remove warts that occur in the mouth and on the muzzle of animals, give
internally and apply locally Fowler’s solution. In chronic skin diseases
use Donovan’s or Fowler’s solution or acidum arsenosum and sulphur mixed
in the feed. Useful internally in successive eruptions of the skin boils
and in chronic urticaria.
EXTERNAL USES.--The white arsenic or arcenous acid is used to slough out
tumors, fistulae, quittors, etc. But I would not recommend it as it is
too painful. It is valuable in the treatment of foot-rot. The affected
animals should be slowly driven through a trough containing a solution
of arsenic. It is used extensively for sheep and cattle to destroy
ticks. In this way, animals are sometimes poisoned, as it drips on the
grass and other animals eat it.
TOXICOLOGY OF ARSENIC.--Full medical doses if long continued, cause
edema and itching of the eyelids, increased flow of saliva nausea,
diarrhoea or dysentery, weak heart, soreness to the touch over the
region of the stomach, itchy skin with small eruptions, jaundice and
albuminuria. In long continued doses it diminishes exudation, decomposes
albuminoid tissues and produces fatty degeneration; also lessens the
glycogenic functions of the liver.
CHRONIC ARSENICAL POISONING.--Is common in the vicinity of either tin
or copper smelting plants. The symptoms are as follows: indigestion,
thirst, wasting, chronic diseases of joints and bones, the knee joints
swell, the animal becomes lame and hide-bound, hair falls off, skin gets
rough and scurfy, teeth get black and fall out and necrosis of the bones
follow.
ANTAGONISTS AND INCOMPATIBLES.--The salts of iron, magnesia, lime, and
astringents, are chemically incompatible. The hydroxide of iron, or as
it is also known, hydrate sesquioxide of iron, freshly made and in soft
magma is the antidote to arsenic. To dogs give from half to one
tablespoonful every five or ten minutes. From eight to twenty grains of
the antidote are required to each grain of arsenic swallowed (when it
can be determined). The stomach should first be emptied by the use of
cathartics or stomach pump and then give the antidote, and follow with
demulcents as oil, milk and mucilaginous drinks. Also administer
diluents, as weak alkaline water. Iodide of potassium is valuable as a
antidote of arsenical poisoning and should be administered to promote
elimination of the poison. In the absence of the antidote, chalk,
magnesia and lime water may be freely given. These agents act
mechanically by developing the poison and preventing absorption.
Dialysed iron is recommended as efficacious as an antidote in doses of
five to fifteen minimums for dogs.