Realgar-Arsenic Di-Sulphide 
in the; 
TREATMENT OF SKIN DISEASES. 
BY 
Thomas N. McLaughlin, m, d„ 
WASHINGTON, D. C. 
[Reprinted from the Virginia Medical Monthly, May, 1890.] REALGAR-ARSENIC DI-SULPHIDE. 
Some Notes on the Use of Realgar-Arsenic Di-Sulphide 
(As2 S2), in the Treatment of Skin Diseases.* 
By THOMAS N. McLAUGHLIN, M. D., of Washington, D. C. 
Late Physician-in-Chief, Philadelphia Hospital ; Lei turer on Dermatology, 
Medical Department National University, Washington, D C., Attend- 
ing Dermatologist Washington Dispensary for Skin Diseases; 
Member of the Medical Association, and of the Medi- 
cal Society of the District of Columbia, Etc. 
Last Spring I had the honor to present to this Society a 
preliminary report of the results which I had obtained from 
the use of realgar, the di sulphide of arsenic. Since then I 
have employed this preparation of arsenic in a large number 
of cases. I present these notes to-night to inform you that the 
favorable report which I submitted of its action, has been 
fully confirmed by subsequent use, both in my private and 
hospital cases, as well as in the hands of other members of 
this Society. 
It may be advisable for me to mention, in a cursory man- 
ner, some of its chemical properties. 
The compounds of arsenic and sulphurf are- 
Arsenic di-sulphide (or realgar), As2 S2. 
Arsenic tri-sulphide (or orpiment), As2 S3. 
Arsenic penta-sulphide, As2 S5. 
Arsenic Di-Sulphide, (realgar), As2 S2.-This body occurs 
* Read before the Medical Society of the District of Columbia, 
f Wurtz's Chemistry.-Greene. 2 
in nature in the form of transparent, red crystals, which be- 
long to the type of the oblique rhombic prism. It is ob- 
tained as a red mass, having a conchoidal fracture by melt- 
ing seventy-five parts of arsenic with thirty-two parts of 
sulphur. It is fusible, and may be crystallized by slow cool- 
ing. When strongly heated in closed vessels, it boils and 
distils without alteration; but when heated in the air, it 
burns into arsenious and sulphurous oxides. 
Since it is the general impression that the crude prepara- 
tions are frequently insoluble and inert, and with a view of 
showing what some of the most eminent and distinguished 
authorities have concluded after a careful investigation, I 
am prompted to quote the following paragraph :* 
" It is now established beyond reasonable doubt, that in some 
parts of Lower Austria, as Styria, many of the inhabitants 
are accustomed to take considerable quantities of arsenic, 
sometimes as a condiment, with food. It is said they often 
eat it with cheese. They usually begin with a small dose, 
once or twice a week, the quantity being gradually increased 
until half a grain, or a grain, or even more, is taken at one 
time. This habit seems to induce no untoward symptoms. 
Arsenic is eaten for a two fold purpose The women, and 
even the men, take it to clear the complexion and to im- 
prove the personal appearance; and it is said to effect these 
objects. The men more frequently take it to enable them 
to undergo great exertion without fatigue, and they main- 
tain that it enables them to climb mountains and accom- 
plish fatiguing tasks, impossible to accomplish without it. 
The experience of most countries is opposed to the IStyrian 
practice, for it is generally found that the long sustained 
administration of arsenic fails to induce tolerance of the 
drug ; but, on the contrary, entails serious consequences. 
Even in the arsenic eating countries, the habit is not with- 
out risk, for there it is the general opinion that many fall 
victims to the drug It has been supposed, that taken in 
an insoluble form, the arsenic is not absorbed at all, but 
passes out with the motions, leaving the system unaffected 
by it; but Dr. Maclagan's investigations effectually disposed 
of this supposition, for after witnessinga well known arsenic 
eater eat arsenic, and afterwards collecting his urine, a con- 
siderable quantity of poison was obtained from it." 
* Ringer's Hand-Book of Therapeutics, 11th Ed. page, 225. 3 
I have employed this drug in the treatment of a variety 
of diseases, and will state them in order to more fully show 
its action. 
Dr. X, a physician, has been a sufferer with psoria- 
sis for six years; at no time during this period has he 
been free from the eruption, which was general in its distri- 
bution. He had been trying, as you will readily suppose, 
nearly everything in the Pharmacopoeia for relief. He was 
unable to take any of the arsenical preparations ordinarily 
prescribed, on account of an idiosyncrasy. He was opposed 
to using the local remedies which I prescribed, as they in- 
terfered with his professional work. He began by taking 
one granule 1-100 gr. of realgar three times a day, and grad- 
ually increased the dose to eight granules three times a day. 
There was a general improvement in his physical condition; 
and after a few months use of this remedy, the eruption en- 
tirely subsided. He neglected to continue the remedy as he 
had been advised, and there was a return of the disease, 
which again subsided after a further use of the drug. This 
remedy produced no disagreeable effect like the other prep- 
arations of arsenic, and was the only one he was able to 
tolerate. 
This physician has furnished me with a statement of the 
results he has obtained in eight cases in his private practice, 
and the results have been satisfactory. I have prescribed 
realgar in many cases of acne, furuncles, and where there 
has bee : any suppuration-in fact, for such purposes as I 
prescribe sulphide of calcium-and have obtained as good 
results. I have used the remedy in chronic eczema, and 
obtained the same effect that I should have expected from 
the other forms of arsenic. 
In scrofulosis, syphilis, and cases of marked debility, I 
have prescribed realgar for its tonic alterative properties, 
and have been gratified with the results. I begin by pre- 
scribing one granule of 1-100 gr. three times a day ; and 
every third day increase the dose one granule, until I ob- 
serve some definite effect being produced. 
I have used this remedy in more than a hundred cases, 
and I present these notes of my further observation of its 
action. 4 
CONCLUSIONS. 
The combination of arsenic and sulphur is frequently 
preferable, and more serviceable than either of the reme- 
dies when used singly. The pleasant form in which it is ad- 
ministered, makes it agreeable for children as well as adults. 
It is tasteless. It can be more safely administered, since 
there is no danger from an over-dose, as frequently appears 
from carelessness in dropping the quantity prescribed in 
using the solutions. 
The dose may be readily and definitely increased or di- 
minished. It does not produce the amount of irritation of 
the stomach, so frequently attending the use of the other 
forms of arsenic. The patient is not aware that arsenic is 
being administered, and it is of uniform strength when 
properly prepared by competent manufacturing chemists. 
In presenting these notes to-night, I simply desire to in- 
form you that I have found that realgar possesses certain 
medicinal properties, and there may be occasions when the 
other preparations of arsenic do not seem to meet the indi- 
cations, when the triturates of realgar may be considered 
worthy of a trial. 
No. 825, Fourteenth Street.