arsenical

ar·sen·i·cal (är-sn-kl)

n.

An agent containing arsenic.

adj.

Of, relating to, or containing arsenic.

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arsenical [ahr-sen´ĭ-k'l]

1. pertaining to arsenic.

2. a compound containing arsenic; arsenicals were once widely used in medicine, but have now mostly been replaced by antibiotics. However, some are still used to treat infectious diseases, especially those caused by protozoa, as well as skin disorders and blood dyscrasias; they must be administered with caution because of their toxicity. All arsenicals are toxic to humans and some are carcinogenic. See also arsenic poisoning.

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arsenical

1. pertaining to arsenic.

2. a compound containing arsenic.

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arsenical herbicide

includes monosodium or disodium methanearsonates. See also organic arsenical (below).

organic arsenical

includes aliphatic organic arsenicals, e.g. the pharmaceuticals cacodylic and phenarsonic acids, the herbicides monosodium and disodium methanearsonates, aromatic organic arsenicals, e.g. trivalent phenylorganic arsenicals like thiacetarsamide, arsphencomplexamine, and pentavalent phenylorganic arsenicals like arsanilic acid, roxarsone, nitarsone. Poisoning by organic arsenicals causes blindness and incoordination or restlessness, convulsions, incoordination, screaming. Recovery is spontaneous if the toxin is discontinued but some piglets may remain blind.

arsenical pyrites

an arsenic-rich ore.

arsenical sheepdip, cattledip

usually contains arsenic and sulfur with 20% soluble arsenic and 3% insoluble arsenious sulfide.

arsenical smoke

factory smoke effluent from processes using arsenic-rich ores may pollute local pasture with arsenic trioxide.

arsenical weedkiller

contains sodium or potassium arsenite or thioarsenites. They may contain up to 40% arsenic trioxide.