_In solution_, this substance may be detected by what are called the
liquid tests. A solution of arsenic in water is colorless, almost
tasteless, and has a very slightly acid reaction. If a few drops be
evaporated on a glass slide and examined by the microscope, numerous
minute and mostly imperfect octahedral crystals, or an amorphous
deposit, will be seen, presenting triangular surfaces by reflected
light.
1. The _ammonio-nitrate of silver_ (prepared by adding a few drops of
liquor ammoniæ to a solution of nitrate of silver, till the brown oxide
of silver at first precipitated is nearly redissolved) throws down with
arsenious acid a rich yellow deposit of arsenite of silver.
2. The _ammonio-sulphate of copper_ (formed by adding liquor ammoniæ to
a solution of sulphate of copper till the bluish-white oxide of copper
is almost redissolved) produces a pale green precipitate, arsenite of
copper, or Scheele’s green. Care must be taken not to add too much of
the test in the first instance, otherwise its blue may overpower the
green of the precipitate.
3. _Sulphuretted hydrogen water_ precipitates a yellow deposit of
sulphide of arsenic. It is better, however, to use pure and well-washed
sulphuretted hydrogen generated in the usual manner. Care must be taken
that the liquid is not alkaline, or no precipitate will be produced,
even though arsenic be present. For this reason yellow sulphide of
ammonium will not precipitate arsenic until acidulated with pure
hydrochloric or some such acid. The precipitate should be collected,
carefully washed, and dried. It should then be mixed with black flux or
dry ferrocyanide of potassium and reduced, as already described.
These tests are so delicate, especially the first, that they will detect
the 8000th part of a grain of arsenic in solution; they should be
employed successively. There are several other processes which require
to be noticed, namely, Marsh’s process, the process known as Reinsch’s
process, Fresenius’s process, and the Destillation process.
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