[Acute arsenious hydride intoxication. Four cases (author's transl)].

While engaged in the repair of a zinc furnace, 4 workers were accidentally exposed to arsenious hydride (AsH3) fumes. Acute intravascular haemolysis developed within a few hours. On admission, the patients immediately underwent exsanguino-transfusion; 8.2 to 10.2 l of blood were exchanged through a continuous perfusion pump at the rate of 1 l/hour. Two patients resumed diuresis during transfusion, but the other two required repeated haemodialysis. Between the 10th and 30th days, while renal function was gradually returning to normal, mildly megaloblastic anaemia developed. This was followed during the 3rd month by clinical and electric signs of polyneuritis of the lower and upper limbs, which subsequently regressed. Regular measurements of arsenic levels in the blood and urine were performed between and during exsanguino-transfusion and haemodialysis.