_Analysis._--Iodide of potassium in solution gives a bright yellow
precipitate with lead salts; a bright scarlet with corrosive sublimate;
and a blue colour with sulphuric or nitric acid and starch.
XX.--PHOSPHORUS
=Phosphorus= is usually found in small, waxy-looking cylinders, which
are kept in water to prevent oxidation. It may also occur as the
amorphous non-poisonous variety, a red opaque infusible substance,
insoluble in carbon disulphide. Ordinary phosphorus is soluble in oil,
alcohol, ether, chloroform, and carbon disulphide; insoluble in water.
It is much used in rat poisons, made into a paste with flour, sugar,
fat, and Prussian blue. Yellow phosphorus is not allowed to be used in
the manufacture of lucifer matches, and the importation of such is
prohibited. In 'safety' matches the amorphous phosphorus is on the box.
_Symptoms._--At first those of an irritant poison, but days may elapse
before any characteristic symptoms appear, and these may be mistaken for
those of acute yellow atrophy of the liver. The earliest signs are a
garlicky taste in the mouth and pain in the throat and stomach. Vomited
matter luminous in the dark, bile-stained or bloody, with garlic-like
odour.
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