method of Reinsch, in which metallic arsenic is deposited on the surface of copper, and then separated by heat for farther examination.
Process by Liquid Reagents.—The first method is by the employment of several liquid tests, which cause in the solution peculiar precipitates. Many such tests have been proposed; but the most characteristic and precise are hydrosulphuric acid, ammoniacal nitrate of silver, and ammoniacal sulphate of copper. The indications of each of the three tests must concur, otherwise, in a medico-legal case, no one can be entitled to speak with certainty to the existence of arsenic. But when they do concur, the evidence is unimpeachable. When this method of analysis is followed, corresponding experiments ought always to be made with the water that is used for diluting or otherwise preparing the subject of examination, or with distilled water, if the article be already sufficiently aqueous. This precaution is necessary on account of the risk of accidental impregnation of the water or other reagents with arsenic.[1]
Hydrosulphuric acid [sulphuretted-hydrogen] is obtained by decomposing proto-sulphuret of iron with diluted sulphuric acid in such an apparatus as is represented at Fig. 5. And the gas may be either applied directly to the suspected fluid, or condensed in distilled water, and thus kept in store for occasional use in the liquid shape. Before applying this test, the suspected fluid must be acidulated with acetic or hydrochloric acid; because an excess of alkali prevents the action. And if an acid be indicated by litmus in the fluid, neutralization, or slight supersaturation, with potash must be effected, before adding acetic or hydrochloric acid; for if the acidity should happen to be owing to an excess of sulphuric or nitric acid, the test is decomposed, and yellowish-white sulphur deposited.—These precautions being taken, hydrosulphuric acid occasions a sulphur-yellow or lemon-yellow precipitate. If the arsenical solution, however, be very weak, a yellow colour merely is struck, because the precipitate, which is sesqui-sulphuret of arsenic, is dissolved by the excess of the test; but it separates after ebullition, or a few hours' exposure to the air. Co-existing animal and vegetable principles sometimes enable the fluid to retain a minute portion even after ebullition, so as to acquire a yellow milkiness; but they do not in any case prevent the test from producing the yellow colour. Acidulation with acetic or hydrochloric acid favours its subsidence in all cases; and according to Mr. Boutigny, alkaline sulphates, muriates and nitrates have the same effect.[2] Hydro-sulphuric acid is so delicate as to act on the oxide in a hundred thousand parts of water. The proper colour of the precipitate
- ↑ The only probable source of such impregnation is pyritic sulphur, which is frequently used abroad, and has of late been occasionally employed in this country, for making sulphuric acid. As pyrites commonly contains arsenic, the acid becomes adulterated with oxide of arsenic, and may communicate the same impregnation to various other reagents which are prepared by means of sulphuric acid. The oxide may easily be detected in that acid by a stream of hydrosulphuric acid gas, after moderate dilution with water; for pure acid is rendered milky; but an arsenical acid yields a yellow precipitate of sulphuret of arsenic.
- ↑ Journal de Chim. Méd. viii. 449.
