From matches, rat poisons, fatal dose, horse, ox, pig, dog, chicken.
Symptoms: Anorexia, dysphagia, swelled tongue, thirst, colic, emesis,
vomit phosphorescent, or bloody, diarrhœa, icterus, agalactia,
trembling, weakness, choreic spasms, hemorrhages. Lesions:
Buccal-gastro-intestinal inflammation, fatty degeneration of
epithelium, liver, kidneys, heart and muscles, black blood,
ecchymosis, hemorrhage, phosphorescent ingesta. Treatment: Emesis,
stomach pump, oil of turpentine in mucilage.
Phosphorus is usually taken in the form of matches or more frequently as
one of the pastes sold for the destruction of vermin. Almost all of the
latter contain 1 to 2 per cent. of phosphorus, in combination with
flour, sugar, and fatty or oily matters. The lethal dose of phosphorus
is: Horse or ox 7 to 30 grains; pig 2 to 4 grains; dog ¾ to 1½ grain;
chicken ⅓ grain.
_Symptoms._ Anorexia, dysphagia, swelling of the tongue, intense thirst,
colic, emesis in vomiting animals, vomited matters may shine in the
dark, and may be tinged with blood, diarrhœa is common though not
constant, icterus, and suppression of the milk. Trembling, weakness,
acceleration of the pulse and breathing and hyperthermia may be noted.
Chickens have been noticed to have choreic movements in walking.
Hemorrhages are common.
_Lesions._ Inflammation of the mucosa of the alimentary canal from the
mouth to the stomach and intestines. Fatty degeneration of the
epithelium very noticeable in the gastric glands. Enlargement and fatty
degeneration of the liver and kidneys, and degeneration of the heart and
muscles. The blood is black and ecchymosis and hemorrhages appear on
various internal organs. The contents of stomach and bowels shine in the
dark. Phosphorus may be recognized by its luminosity when distilled at a
very low heat from an acid solution and received into a refrigerated
condenser. This must be done in perfect darkness, and the
phosphorescence will be seen in the condenser or connecting tube.
_Treatment._ Empty the stomach by emetic or stomach pump, and then give
oil of turpentine in mucilaginous liquid: Horse 1 to 2 ounces; ox 2 to 3
ounces; pig ½ ounce; dog 20 to 30 drops; chicken 5 to 10 drops. This may
be repeated several times and if used early enough will probably
succeed.