Eng., Arsenic Tri-oxide. Synonyms, Arsenous Acid, White Arsenic (the latter term is usually applied to the impure commercial article).

Form

Heavy white powder or irregular masses.

Odor And Taste

Odorless and practically tasteless.

Solubility

Slowly soluble in from 30 to 100 parts of water. Sparingly soluble in alcohol.

Incompatibles

Tannic acid; salts of iron, copper, and magnesium; lime water, iodides, etc. In the very dilute solutions in which arsenic is used, incompatibility is seldom a factor.

Average Dose

1/30 grain (0.002 Gm.).

Liquor Acidi Arsenosi (Gen., Liquoris Acidi Arsenosi)

Eng., Solution of Arsenous Acid. Synonym, Solution of Arsenic Chloride. A colorless aqueous solution containing 1 per cent. of Arsenic Trioxide.

Incompatibles

See Arseni Trioxidum.

Average Dose

3 minims (0.2 mil).

Liquor Potassii Arsenitis (Gen., Liquoris Potassii Arsenitis)

Eng., Solution of Potassium Arsenite. Synonym, Fowler's Solution. A slightly colored aqueous solution in the preparation of which 1 per cent. Arsenic Trioxide is used.

Incompatibles.-See Arseni Trioxidum. Average Dose.-3 Minims (0.2 Mil). Sodii Arsenas

Eng., Sodium Arsenate. Average Dose.-1/12 grain (0.005 Gm.).

Sodii Arsenas Exsiccatus

Eng., Exsiccated Sodium Arsenate. Average Dose.-1/20 grain (0.003 Gm.).

Liquor Sodii Arsenatis

Eng., Solution of Sodium Arsenate. Contains 1 per cent. of Exsiccated Sodium Arsenate. Average Dose.-3 minims (0.2 mil).

Therapeutic Action

Alterative, tonic, escharotic.

Uses

Employed in the treatment of malaria, anemia, syphilis pellagra, goiter, neurasthenia, hysteria, chorea, and various skin diseases, as eczema, herpes, etc. Locally it is used in dentistry and in the treatment of cancer.

Toxicology

Among the symptoms of acute arsenic poisoning are epigastric and abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, rice-water and bloody stools, purging, tenesmus, dryness of throat, thirst, frequent micturition, albuminuria, depression, skin lesions and edema. The treatment consists principally in washing out the stomach with a suspension of freshly precipitated ferric hydroxide with magnesium oxide and leaving in the stomach enough of the antidote to act upon any remaining arsenic. If this official antidote is not available or the ingredients for making it, the tincture of ferric chloride with magnesium oxide or

"Milk of Magnesia"may be used. Morphine may be cautiously used for the intestinal condition and demulcents freely given. The patient should be kept warm and stimulants used as indicated. The patient should be kept under observation several days, as symptoms may recur. Chronic arsenic poisoning is usually first manifested by edema, particularly under the,eyes.

Administration

The taste and odor of Fowler Solution is disagreeable to some patients, and the solution of arsenous acid should not be overlooked. Some useful prescriptions illustrating the employment of Arsenic are shown in the following:

The prescription for the rather extensively used Asiatic Pill (best given in capsule) is as follows:

M. ft. cap. no. lx.

Sig

One after each meal.

1 Ohmann-Dumesnil: Diseases of the Skin.

As a tonic in malaria, etc.:

M. ft. cap. no. l.

Sig

One after each meal.

As a general tonic in debility, anemia, etc., the quinine sulphate is reduced to about 50 grains. Ferrum Reductum (about 100 grains) may be substituted for the Massa Ferri Carbonatis, particularly when there is constipation.

In the treatment of neurasthenia, hysteria, etc.:

M. ft. cap. no. xx.

Sig

One after each meal.

As a postoperative tonic:

M. ft. cap. no. c.

Sig

One after each meal.

The extensively used combination of"Four Chlorides"is shown in the following:

M.

Sig

Teaspoonful in water after meals.

1 Shoemaker: Materia Medica and Therapeutics. 2Ashton: Practice of Gynecology.

In combination as a tonic, particularly in the treatment of malaria:

M.

Sig

Teaspoonful in water after meals.

In the treatment of the chronic vomiting of childhood:

M.

Sig

Teaspoonful three times a day.

When it is desired to give arsenic alone or to give for some particular effect it may be ordered as follows:

Sig

Begin with three (3) drops as directed.

Or:

M.

Sig

Teaspoonful with water after meals.