§ 289. =Changes in the blood= during life have been several times observed. In a case attended by M. Romellære of Brussels,[295] in which a man took the paste from 300 matches, and under treatment by turpentine recovered, the blood was frequently examined, and the leucocytes found much increased in number. There is a curious conflict of evidence as to whether phosphorus prevents coagulation of the blood or not. Nasse asserted that phosphorated oil given to a dog fully prevented coagulation; P. I. Liebreck[296] also, in a series of researches, found the blood dark, fluid, and in perfect solution. These observations were also supported by V. Bibra and Schuchardt.[297] Nevertheless, Lebert and Wyss found the blood, whether in the veins or in extravasations, in a normal condition. Phosphorus increases the fatty contents of the blood. Ritter found that phosphorus mixed with starch, and given to a dog, raised the fatty content from the normal 2 per 1000 up to 3·41 and 3·47 per 1000. Eug. Menard[298] saw in the blood from the jugular and portal veins, as well as in extravasations, microscopic fat globules and fine needle-shaped crystals soluble in ether. [295] Tardieu, _op. cit._, Case 31. [296] _Diss. de Venefico Phosphoreo Acuto_, Upsal, 1845. [297] V. Bibra u. Geist, _Die Krankheiten der Arbeiter in den Phosphorzundholz Fabriken_, 1847, S. 59, &c.; Henle u. v. Pfeuffer’s _Zeitschr. f. ration. Med._, N. F., Bd. 7, Hft. 3, 1857. [298] _Étude Expérimentale sur quelques lésions de l’Empoisonnement aigu par le Phosphore (Thèse)_, Strasbourg, 1869. § 290. =Antidote--Treatment.=--After emptying the stomach by means of emetics or by the stomach-pump, oil of turpentine in full medicinal doses, say 2·5 c.c. (about 40 min.), frequently administered, seems to act as a true antidote, and a large percentage of cases treated early in this way recover. § 291. =Poisonous Effects of Phosphine (phosphuretted hydrogen).=--Experiments on pigeons, on rats, and other animals, and a few very rare cases among men, have shown that phosphine has an exciting action on the respiratory mucous membranes, and a secondary action on the nervous system. Eulenberg[299] exposed a pigeon to an atmosphere containing 1·68 per cent. of phosphine. There was immediate unrest; at the end of three minutes, quickened and laboured breathing (100 a minute); after seven minutes, the bird lay prostrate, with shivering of the body and wide open beak; after eight minutes, there was vomiting; after nine minutes, slow breathing (34 per minute); after twelve minutes, convulsive movements of the wings; and after thirteen minutes, general convulsions and death. [299] _Gewerbe Hygiene_, p. 273.