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Arsenic

It is hard to believe that arsenic, which is renowed today as a highly poisonous element, was once used as medication. During the Victorian era, a popular "cure-all tonic," known as Dr. Fowler's solution, was prepared from a mixture of an arsenic compound dissolved in water. Many people consumed this tonic including the famous novelist, Charles Dickens.

It is believed that metallic arsenic was discovered by Albertus Magnus during the 13^th century. This element's name was derived from "arsenikon," the Greek for the yellow orpiment pigment. Arsenic was named accordingly because, in its pure form, this element has two allotropes – the yellow form and gray metallic arsenic.

When arsenic is employed as an additive, its presence helps to improve a remarkable number of properties of other elements, such as temperature, hardness, and corrosion resistance. Arsenic is also a contributor to semiconductor technology where it is found in solid state devices such as diodes and transistors.

Despite the fact that arsenic and its compounds are poisonous, this element is still considered an essential ultratrace element in humans, chickens, goats, pigs, and a few other species. It has been shown that a deficiency of arsenic in the diet of chickens and pigs leads to the inhibition of their growth. Therefore, this element is still occasionally used to fatten poultry and pigs, although strictly controlled.