Considerations on the Safety of Arsanilic Acid for Use in Poultry Feeds

MOREHOUSE and Mayfield (1946) reported briefly that 3-nitro-4-hydroxyphenyl arsonic acid “had remarkable growth stimulating properties” for chickens and turkeys when given in the drinking water at sub-coccidiostatic levels. This surprising finding was subsequently extended by Morehouse (1949) for direct addition to the diet, and was fully confirmed by Bird, Groschke and Rubin (1949). Experience by a number of investigators has indicated that arsanilic acid and sodium arsanilate are also effective in stimulating growth of chickens, turkeys, and hogs. Presumably one action of the phenylarsonic acids is similar to that of antibiotics—in some way altering bacterial metabolism in the tract to favor improved nutrition of the animal. Arsenic compounds have long been used in the practice of veterinary medicine as tonics to improve the general well-being and appearance of animals. Although the use of arsenic trioxide and the less toxic cacodylates has often been directed to the treatment of secondary . . .