SALTS OF THE ALKALIES AND ALKALINE EARTHS.
POTASSIUM NITRATE or NITRATE OF POTASH (_Nitre_, _Saltpetre_,
_Salprunelle_) is a more dangerous poison than is commonly supposed,
provided the dose be large. It has ordinarily been given in mistake for
other salts as a purgative, and in one instance, caused death in about
two hours, in another such instance, referred to by Orfila, an ounce
proved fatal in three hours. It produces symptoms of irritation in the
alimentary canal, vomiting, and diarrhoea. There is generally also
severe pain at the pit of the stomach, trembling of the limbs, scanty
urine, and collapse. Marks of violent inflammation are found after death
in the stomach and along the intestinal canal.
POTASSIUM SULPHATE or SULPHATE OF POTASH (_Sal Polychrest_, _Sal de
Duobus_, &c.) has proved fatal when taken in a large dose. It has caused
death in two or three cases when purposely administered to procure
abortion. Taylor quotes an instance of a lady, a week after delivery,
being directed by her medical attendant to take ten drachms of this
salt, in divided doses as a laxative. After the first dose she was
seized with severe pain in the stomach, with vomiting, &c., the symptoms
increasing after each dose, and proving fatal in two hours. At the
post-mortem examination the mucous membrane of the stomach and
intestines was seen to be soft and pale, and the stomach contained a
quantity of reddish-colored liquid. This, on being analyzed, was found
to contain no other irritant but this salt.
BITARTRATE OF POTASS or HYDROGEN POTASSIUM TARTRATE (_Cream of Tartar_,
_Argol_.)--This salt has caused death in one case at least, in which
about an ounce and a half was taken. The symptoms were those of an
irritant poison, with paralysis of the lower extremities. Death occurred
within forty-eight hours.
SULPHURET OF POTASSIUM (_Liver of Sulphur_) has also caused death as an
irritant poison.
_Treatment._--As no antidotes are known to these salts the treatment
must consist in producing vomiting as speedily as possible by means of
emetics; or the stomach-pump may be used. Demulcent drinks should be
freely given subsequently, with soothing applications to the bowels. Ice
may be given in any quantity.
LIME acts as an irritant poison, though a feeble one, when taken into
the stomach or applied to a vital part. One fatal instance is reported,
where a boy swallowed some lime in an apple-pie. He died in nine days,
after suffering from a burning pain in the abdomen, great thirst, and
obstinate constipation. Unslaked or imperfectly slaked lime may also
prove fatal by being inhaled, and so giving rise to inflammation of the
glottis.
BARIUM SALTS.--Two preparations of barium have caused death, viz., the
chloride and the carbonate. These may also give rise to specific nervous
symptoms, as cramps and convulsions.
_Chloride of Barium_ is found crystallized in irregular plates or
tables, which are permanent in the air, soluble in water, and of a
disagreeable bitter taste. Half an ounce has proved fatal in two hours,
after causing symptoms of irritation, with vertigo, paralysis and
convulsions.
_Carbonate of Baryta_ or _Barium Carbonate_, in its native state, occurs
in massive radiated crystals, very heavy, and nearly colorless.
Artificially prepared, as sold in the shops, it is a fine, tasteless,
odorless powder, almost insoluble in hot or cold water. One drachm is
said to have destroyed life, but recovery has taken place after a much
larger dose.
_Treatment._--The sulphate of soda or sulphate of magnesia, or some
earthy sulphate, should be speedily administered, by which the poison
will be converted into an inert insoluble sulphate of baryta. Emetics
should also be given, or the stomach-pump used.