Further, the halogen compounds of phosphorus exert irritant action on the eyes and lungs similar to chloride of sulphur as a result of their splitting up on the moist mucous membranes into hydrochloric acid and an oxyacid of phosphorus.[4] Unless, therefore, special measures are taken, the persons employed in the manufacture of phosphorus chlorides suffer markedly from the injurious emanations given off.[5] Leymann[6] mentions one case of poisoning by phosphorus chloride as having occurred in the factory described by him. By a defect in the outlet arrangement phosphorus oxychloride flowed into a workroom. Symptoms of poisoning (sensation of suffocation, difficulty of breathing, lachrymation, &c.) at once attacked the occupants; before much gas had escaped, the workers rushed out. Nevertheless, they suffered from severe illness of the respiratory organs (bronchial catarrh and inflammation of the lungs, with frothy, blood-stained expectoration, &c.).[7] _Chlorides of sulphur._—Monochloride of sulphur (S₂Cl₂) is made by passing dried, washed chlorine gas into molten heated sulphur. The oily, brown, fuming liquid thus made is distilled over into a cooled condenser and by redistillation purified from the sulphur carried over with it. Sulphur monochloride can take up much sulphur, and when saturated is used in the vulcanisation of indiarubber, and, further, is used to convert linseed and beetroot oil into a rubber substitute. Monochloride of sulphur is decomposed by water into sulphur dioxide, hydrochloric acid, and sulphur. By further action of chlorine on the monochloride, sulphur dichloride (SCl₂) and the tetrachloride (SCl₄) are formed. In its preparation and use (see also Indiarubber Manufacture) the injurious action of chlorine, of hydrochloric acid, and of sulphur dioxide comes into play. The monochloride has very irritating effects. Leymann cites an industrial case of poisoning by it. In the German factory inspectors’ reports for 1897 a fatal case is recorded. The shirt of a worker became saturated with the material owing to the bursting of a bottle. First aid was rendered by pouring water over him, thereby increasing the symptoms, which proved fatal the next day. Thus the decomposition brought about by water already referred to aggravated the symptoms.