Introduction
Phosphoretted hydrogen, phosphene, PH3.
Poisoning
Dr. BRENNAR, after inhaling the gas during 3 mo. while preparing hypophosphites, noticed flickering points in his field of vision, which rapidly enlarged, and in four weeks rendered it impossible to fix his vision upon any object, especially in reading. At the same time a diarrhoea developed, with weakness and unsteadiness of arms, that gradually rendered it very difficult for him to write. The unsteadiness of the lower extremities was associated with recurrent shooting pains in them and in abdomen, and his gait became very tottering. The teeth also, both healthy and carious, began to crumble, without any pain. There was no headache or vertigo; no sensitiveness of spine, no disturbance of hearing or of the mental powers. At last ataxia of muscles of articulation became apparent, so that it was necessary to make strong voluntary effort to pronounce a wished – for word; swallowing also became somewhat difficult. The patient exhibited a complete picture of ataxia. He stood with extremities separated; coordinated movement (as walking) was impossible; when eyes were closed, patient would stagger and fall. There was no anaesthesia of skin or muscles; the electric irritability of the muscles was indeed extraordinarily increased; there was also no muscular atrophy. The optic nerve was extremely irritable; reflex optic symptoms could be obtained not only through the trigeminus, but from nape of neck, from lower angle of scapula, and often from upper arm. The auditory nerve was normal, though showing some symptoms of hyperaesthesia. Patient gradually recovered under electricity. (Schmidt’s Fabr., cxxvii, 163; from Allen.).