Part 65 (1/2)

APPENDIX.

POISONS AND THEIR ANTIDOTES

1028. POISONING, either from accident or design, is of such frequency and danger, that it is of the greatest importance that every person should know the proper mode of procedure in such cases, in order to render immediate a.s.sistance when within his power.

1029. Poisons are divided into two cla.s.ses--_mineral_ (which include the acids) and _vegetable_.

1030. The first thing, usually, to be done, when it is ascertained that a poison has been swallowed, is to evacuate the stomach, unless vomiting takes place spontaneously. Emetics of the sulphate of zinc, (white vitriol,) or ipecacuanha, (ipecac,) or ground mustard seed, should be given.

1031. When vomiting has commenced, it should be aided by large and frequent draughts of the following drinks: flaxseed tea, gum-water, slippery-elm tea, barley water, sugar and water, or any thing of a mucilaginous or diluent character.

MINERAL POISONS.

1032. AMMONIA.--The _water of ammonia_, if taken in an over-dose, and in an undiluted state, acts as a violent corrosive poison.

1033. The best and most effectual antidote is _vinegar_. It should be administered in water, without delay. It neutralizes the ammonia, and renders it inactive. Emetics should not be given.

1034. ANTIMONY.--The _wine of antimony_ and _tartar emetic_, if taken in over-doses, cause distressing vomiting. In addition to the diluent, mucilaginous drinks, give a tea-spoonful of the sirup of poppies, paregoric, or twenty drops of laudanum, every twenty minutes, until five or six doses have been taken, or the vomiting ceases.

1025. Is it useful to know the antidotes or remedies for poison? 1029.

Into how many cla.s.ses are poisons divided? 1030. What is the first thing to be done when it is ascertained that poison has been swallowed? 1031. What should be taken after the vomiting has commenced? 1032. What effect has an over-dose of ammonia? 1033. The antidote? Should an emetic be given for this poison? 1034. What effect has an over-dose of the wine of antimony or tartar emetic?

1035. The antidotes are _nutgalls_ and _oak bark_, which may be administered in infusion, or by steeping in water.

1036. a.r.s.eNIC.--When this has been taken, administer an emetic of ipecac, speedily, in mucilaginous teas, and use the stomach-pump as soon as possible.

1037. The antidote is the _hydrated peroxide of iron_. It should be kept constantly on hand at the apothecaries' shops. It may be given in any quant.i.ty, without injurious results.

1038. COPPER.--The most common cause of poisoning from this metal, is through the careless use of cooking utensils made of it, on which the _acetate of copper_ (verdigris) has been allowed to form. When this has been taken, immediately induce vomiting, give mucilaginous drinks, or the _white of eggs_, diffused in water.

1039. The antidote is the _carbonate of soda_, which should be administered without delay.

1040. LEAD.--The _acetate_ (sugar) _of lead_ is the preparation of this metal, which is liable to be taken accidentally, in poisonous doses. Induce immediate vomiting, by emetics of ground mustard seed, sulphate of zinc, and diluent drinks.

1041. The antidote is diluted _sulphuric acid_. When this acid is not to be obtained, either the sulphate of magnesia, (epsom salts,) or the sulphate of soda, (glauber's salts,) will answer every purpose.

1042. MERCURY.--The preparation of this mineral by which poisoning is commonly produced, is _corrosive sublimate_. The mode of treatment to be pursued when this poison has been swallowed, is as follows: The _whites of a dozen eggs_ should be beaten in two quarts of cold water, and a tumbler-full given every two minutes, to induce vomiting. When the whites of eggs are not to be obtained, soap and water should be mixed with wheat flour, and given in copious draughts, and the stomach-pump introduced as soon as possible. Emetics or irritating substances should not be given.

1043. NITRE--_Saltpetre._--This, in over-doses, produces violent poisonous symptoms. Vomiting should be immediately induced by large doses of mucilaginous, diluent drinks; but emetics which irritate the stomach should not be given.