(b) _Fleitmann's test_ and _Marsh's test_ depend on the fact that
arsenic and its compounds, when present in a solution in which
hydrogen is being generated, are converted into arseniuretted
hydrogen, which can be readily detected either by its action on silver
nitrate solution or by its decomposition on heating. In Fleitmann's
test, the solution containing the arsenious compound is mixed with
pure potassium hydroxide solution and a piece of pure zinc or
aluminium foil dropped in and the whole then heated. A piece of
bibulous paper, moistened with silver nitrate, is held over the mouth
of the tube, and if arsenic be present, a grey or black deposit is
seen on the paper, due to the silver nitrate being reduced by the
arseniuretted hydrogen. Antimony gives no reaction under these
conditions, so that the method can be used to detect arsenic in the
presence of antimony, but the test is not so delicate as either
Reinsch's or Marsh's method.
In the Marsh test the solution containing the arsenious compounds is
mixed with pure hydrochloric acid and placed in an apparatus in which
hydrogen is generated from pure zinc and pure sulphuric acid. The
arseniuretted hydrogen produced is passed through a tube containing
lead acetate paper and soda-lime, and finally through a narrow glass
tube, constricted at various points, and heated by a very small flame.
As the arseniuretted hydrogen passes over the heated portion it is
decomposed and a black deposit formed. Instead of heating the tube,
the gas may be ignited at the mouth of the tube and a cold surface of
porcelain or platinum placed in the flame, when a black deposit is
formed on the surface. This may be distinguished from the similar
antimony deposit by its ready solubility in a solution of sodium
hypochlorite. A blank experiment should always be carried out in
testing for small quantities of arsenic, to ensure that the materials
used are quite free from traces of arsenic. It is to be noted that the
presence of nitric acid interferes with the Marsh test; and also that
if the arsenic is present as an _arsenic_ compound it must be reduced
to the _arsenious_ condition by the action of sulphurous acid. Arsenic
compounds can be detected in the dry way by heating in a tube with a
mixture of sodium carbonate and charcoal when a deposit of black
amorphous arsenic is produced on the cool part of the tube, or by
conversion of the compound into the trioxide and heating with dry
sodium acetate when the offensive odour of the extremely poisonous
cacodyl oxide is produced. In the wet way, arsenious oxide and
arsenites, acidified with hydrochloric acid, give a yellow precipitate
of arsenic trisulphide on the addition of sulphuretted hydrogen; this
precipitate is soluble in solutions of the alkaline hydroxides,
ammonium carbonate and yellow ammonium sulphide. Under like conditions
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