Lewisite pathology

Cameron, G.R., H.M. Carleton and R.H.D. Short. 1946. Pathological changes induced by lewisite and allied compounds. J. Pathol. Bacterial. 58 411 22. 

Harrison HE, Ordway HK, Durlacher SH, Albrink WS, Bunting H. Poisoning from inhalation of the vapors of Lewisite and phenyldichlorarsine Its pathology in the dog and treatment with 2,3-dimercaptopropanol (BAL). J. Pharm. Exp. Therap. 1946 87 76-80. 

The pathological effects of lewisite have been less studied than those of other vesicants, particularly sulfur mustard. Ireland (1926) studied the progression of changes observed after the application of lewisite to the skin of horses. Five hours after exposure, marked edema of the skin was noted, extending into the dermis with separation of collagen fibres. More deeply placed blood vessels were surrounded by collections of polymorphs. By 24 h, there was thinning of the epidermis with nuclear pyknosis. The dermis was... 

Detailed pathological descriptions of the effects of lewisite on the eye are not available. 

Adler, F.H., Wilfred, E.R, Leopold, I.H., 1947. Pathologic study of ocular lesions due to lewisite (p-chlorovinyldichloroarsine) changes with and without BAL (2,3-dimercaptopropanol) therapy. Arch. Ophthalmol. 38, 89-108. 

A condition named Lewisite Shock has also been described that is associated with loss of blood volume and an associated increase in RBC eount and haemoglobin concentration. This is accompanied by a decrease in plasma volume and plasma proteins, suggesting that movement of protein through damaged membranes may alter the hydrostatic pressure in the tissues and cause fluid to move into the tissues. The movement of fluid is consistent with the observation of copious jelly-like oedema at the site of application. The condition developed within 24 hours of dermal application of L to animals and persisted for up to 4 days. The authors point out the marked similarity between this condition and traumatic shock. Certainly, the effects of fluid loss from the circulation by blood loss and the pathology described above would be expected to be very similar, if not identical. 

G. R. Cameron and H. M. Carleton, Pathological changes produced in small laboratory Animals by Lewisite applied to the skin or by injection, Porton Departmental Report 197, Physiological Department, Porton (GB), 1940, UK National Archive Number WO 189/1340. 

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