ABSTRACT
Arsenic was first recorded as a medicinal agent in ancient Greece by Hippocrates. Although it is rarely part of the modem pharmacopeia, it is widely used in other applica tions.
Because arsenic is nearly tasteless and odorless, it was used extensively as a means of criminal poisoning, and although not as common, homicidal, suicidal, and acci dental arsenic poisoning occur even today (1). Self administration of arsenic by accident in children and as a suicide attempt in adults represent the most common types of ingestion. Purposeful self-administration of arsenic for the purpose of creating and maintaining a state of chronic invalidism has also been reported (2). Arsenic is second only to lead as a cause of chronic heavy metal poisoning.
