Arsenic poisoning, remedies

Muzi G, DeU omo M, Madeo G, Abbritti G, Caroli S. Arsenic poisoning caused by Indian ethnic remedies. J Pediatr 2001 139(1) 169. 

Three Singapore patients with chronic arsenic poisoning with characteristic skin changes had taken Chinese herbal remedies for many years to treat their asthma two had cancers likely to be due to arsenic (150). 

Arsenic poisoning from orthodox remedies has become unusual since the inorganic arsenicals fell into disuse. Even in western medicine, however, arsenic did at one time have a reputation for the relief of asthma, and occasional cases did develop arsenic poisoning from remedies taken for this purpose. It is very possible that arsenic is still present in some herbal remedies other than those of oriental origin. 

Realgar is employed as a depilatory in tanning, its red colour being a desirable feature in the treatment of hides and skins. It has been used as a paint pigment under the name of arsenic orange, but it is not too permanent and is now seldom used. Its early use as a remedy for asthma, etc., has been mentioned (p. 23). Unless carefully prepared, the commercial product is liable to contain white arsenic, and the poisonous nature of the latter tends to limit the applications of realgar. 

Finally, herbal products imported from China may be contaminated with pesticides or with heavy metals added during the manufacturing process. Contaminated Chinese herbals have led to cases of arsenic, lead, mercury, thallium, and cadmium poisoning. Similarly, investigations of traditional Indian Ayurvedic remedies have shown them to sometimes contain dangerous levels of lead, zinc, mercury, arsenic, aluminum, and tin. 

Paracelsus built on a homeopathic doctrine from folk medicine of treating like with like, or poisons with poisons. Poison is in everything, he noted, and no thing is without poison. The dosage makes it either a poison or a remedy. 10 Under this rubric, he brought highly toxic chemicals such as mercury and arsenic into popular use, sparking a wave of anxieties about the effects of new, mysterious, and powerful substances. 

Arsenic salts and arsines are extremely toxic, and uses of arsenic compounds in weedkillers, sheep- and cattle-dips, and poisons against vermin are less widespread than was once the case (see Box 14.1). Antimony compounds are less toxic, but large doses result in liver damage. Potassium antimony tartrate tartar emetic) was used medicinally as an emetic and expectorant but has now been replaced by less toxic reagents. Bismuth is one of the less toxic heavy metals and compounds, such as the subcarbonate (Bi0)2C03, find use in stomach remedies including treatments for peptic ulcers. 

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