Iodine--iodide Of Potassium
=Iodine= occurs in scales of a dark bluish-black colour. It strikes blue
with solution of starch, and stains the skin and intestines
yellowish-brown. Liquid preparations, as the liniment or tincture, may
be taken accidentally or suicidally.
Symptoms.--Acrid taste, tightness of throat, epigastric pain, and then
symptoms of irritant poisons generally. Chronic poisoning (iodism) is
characterized by coryza, s
loss of appetite, marked mental depression, acne of the face and chest,
and a petechial eruption on the limbs.
Post-Mortem Appearances.--Those of irritant poisoning with corrosion,
and staining of a dark brown or yellow colour.
Treatment.--Stomach-pump and emetics, carbonate of sodium, amylaceous
fluids, gruel, arrowroot, starch, etc.
Analysis of Organic Mixture containing Iodine.--Add bisulphide of
carbon, and shake. The iodine may be obtained on evaporation as a
sublimate. It will be recognized by the blue colour which it gives with
starch.
=Iodide of Potassium.=--Colourless, generally opaque, cubic crystals,
soluble in less than their weight of cold water.
Symptoms.--Not an active poison, but even small doses sometimes
produce the effects of a common cold, including those symptoms already
mentioned as occurring with iodine.
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.
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