[Chronic thallium poisoning (author's transl)]

A rare case of criminal, chronic thallium poisoning is described. In spite of the general prohibition of the cosmetics, drugs and rodent exterminators containing thallium thallium intoxications are still observed occasionally. In the reported case typical symptoms as initial pain, dryness of the skin, constipation and insomnia were missing. The clinical picture was dominated by a polyneuropathy more pronounced in the lower extremities, a lesion of the optic nerve and the psychic symptoms of organic damage. A particular feature was the early loss of sensitivity of the anterior rami of the intercostal nerves.