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Arsenic poisoning
Arsenicpoisoning kills by massively disrupting the digestive system, leading to death from shock.
SymptomsSymptoms include violent stomach pains, vomitingand delirium. Symptoms of arsenic poisoning start with mild headachesand can progress to lightheadednessand usually, if untreated, will result in death. Arsenic poisoning can lead to a variety of problems, from skin cancerto keratosesof the feet. TestingOne way to test for arsenic poisoning is by checking hair follicles. If arsenic is within the bloodstream, it will enter hairand remain there for many years. TreatmentIf arsenic is ingested, it is suggested that 5 charcoal tabletsbe ingested immediately in order to help soak up the arsenic and then pass it through your system naturally. Eating food with sulphur, such as eggsand onions, can also help to neutralize arsenic. There are many chemical and synthetic methods that are now used to treat arsenic poisoning. It is extremely important to seek medical advice immediately if arsenic poisoning is suspected. You should not, under any circumstance, treat presumed arsenic poisoning by yourself. Unintentional poisoningIn addition to its use as a poison, arsenic was used medicinally for centuries and, in fact, was used extensively to treat syphilisbefore penicillinwas introduced. Arsenic was replaced as a theraputic agent by sulfa drugsand then by antibiotics. Arsenic was also an ingredient in many tonics (or "patent medicines"). In addition, during the Victorian era, some womenused a mixture of vinegar, chalk, and arsenic applied topically to whiten their skin. The use of arsenic was intended to prevent ageing and creasing of the skin but some arsenic was inevitably absorbed into the blood stream. Some pigments, most notably the popular Emerald Green(known also under several other names), were based on arsenic. They were a frequent cause of accidental poisonings. Arsenic has been know to cause many problems in third world countries where ground water supplies have been contaminated by arsenic derived from geologically recent fluvial deposits containing arseno-pyrites. This is a particular problem in Bangladeshwhere tube wells installed since the 1970s have intercepted ground waters flowing in the fluvial deposits. Concentrations in these wells can exceed 1 part per thousand whereas the WHO maximum level is 10 parts per billion. Roger Smith, Professorof Pharmacologyand ToxicologyEmeritus, Dartmouth Medical School, has confirmed that natural arseniccontaminationof drinking waterhas also been a problem in wellsin New Hampshire. Chronic low level arsenic poisoning, or arsenicosis, such as is seen in Bangladesh can potentially result in the victim developing cancer. Intentional poisoningIn the 700's, an Arabalchemistnamed Jabirbecame the first to prepare arsenic trioxide, a white, tasteless, odorless powder. Jabir's preparation seemed the ideal poisonas it left no traceable (at the time) elements in the body. Arsenic became a favorite murder weapon of the Middle Ages, particularly among ruling classes in Italy. Because the symptoms are similar to those of cholera, which was common at the time, arsenic poisoning often went undetected. Famous victims (known and alleged)Arsenic poisoning, accidental or deliberate, has been implicated in the illness and death of a number of prominent people throughout history. George III of the United KingdomGeorge III's(1738 ? 1820) personal health was a concern throughout his long reign. He suffered from periodic episodes of physical and mental illness, five of them disabling enough to require the King to withdraw from his duties. In 1969, researchers asserted that the episodes of madness and other physical symptoms were characteristic of the disease porphyria, which was also identified in members of his immediate and extended family. In addition, a 2004 study of samples of the King's hair [1]revealed extremely high levels of arsenic, which is a possible trigger of disease symptoms. A 2005 article in the medical journal The Lancet, [2]suggested the source of the arsenic could be the antimonyused as a consistent element of the King's medical treatment. The two minerals are often found in the same ground, and mineral extraction at the time was not precise enough to eliminate arsenic from compounds containing antimony. Napoleon BonaparteThere is a theory that Napoleon Bonaparte(1769 ? 1821) suffered and died from arsenic poisoning during his imprisonment on the island of St. Helena. Forensic samples of his hair did show high levels, 13 times the normal amount, of the element. This, however, does not prove deliberate poisoning by Napoleon's enemies: Copper arsenitehas been used as a pigmentin some wallpapers, and microbiologicalliberation of the arsenic into the immediate environment would be possible. The case is equivocal in the absence of clearly authenticated samples of the wallpaper. As Napoleon's body lay for nearly 20 years in a grave on the island, before being moved to its present resting place in Paris, arsenic from the soil could also have polluted the sample. Even without contaminated wallpaper or soil, commercial use of arsenic at the time provided many other routes by which Napoleon could have consumed enough arsenic to leave this forensic trace. Charles Francis HallAmerican explorer Charles Francis Hall(1821-1871) died suddenly and unexpectedly during his third arctic expedition aboard the ship Polaris. After returning to the ship from a sledging expedition with an Eskimoguide, Hall drank a cup of coffee and fell violently ill. He collapsed in what was described as a fit. For the next week he suffered from vomiting and delirium, then seemed to improve for a few days. At that time, he accused several of the ship's company, including ship's physician Dr. Emil Besselswith whom he had longstanding disagreements, of having poisoned him. Shortly after, Hall began suffering the same symptoms, died, and was taken ashore for burial. Once the remnants of the expedition returned, a US Navy investigation ruled that Hall had died from apoplexy. However, in 1968, Hall's biographer Chauncey C. Loomis, a professor at Dartmouth College, traveled to Greenlandto exhume Hall's body. Due to the permafrost, Hall's body, flag shroud, clothing and coffin were remarkably well preserved. Tissue samples of bone, fingernails and hair showed that Hall died of poisoning from large doses of arsenicin the last two weeks of his life, consistent with the symptoms party members reported. It is possible that Hall dosed himself with quack medicineswhich included the poison. But it is considered more probable that he was murderedby Dr. Bessels or one of the other members of the expedition. Clare Boothe LuceA later case of arsenic poisoning is that of Clare Boothe Luce, (1903 ? 1987) the Americanambassador to Italyin the years just following World War II. Although she did not die from her poisoning, she suffered an increasing variety of physical and psychological symptoms until arsenic poisoning was diagnosed, and its source traced to the old, arsenic-laden flaking paint on the ceiling of her bedroom. Another source (see below) explains her poisoning as resulting from eating food contaminated by flaking of the ceiling of the embassy dining room. Impressionist paintersEmerald Green, a pigmentfrequently used by Impressionistpainters, is based on arsenic. Cezannedeveloped severe diabetes, which is a symptom of chronic arsenic poisoning. Monet's blindness and Van Gogh's neurological disorders are likely directly related to their use of Emerald Green, as well as leadpigments, mercury-based Vermilion, and solventssuch as turpentine. External links
Reference
pl:Zatrucie arszenikiem Categories: Toxicology
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