An antidote is something given that counteracts poison, such as soda,
chalk, magnesia, soap, whiting, milk mixed with magnesia, soda diluted,
etc., followed by whites of eggs and bland drinks such as flaxseed tea,
slippery elm tea, quince seed tea, and sweet or castor oil given after
regular antidote.
For Shock, inject hot black coffee into the rectum.
Emetic is some medicine given to produce vomiting. The simplest emetic is
mustard and warm water. If one does not know what poison has been taken,
the best thing to do is to give an emetic first.
[ACCIDENTS AND POISONS 401]
Mustard.--One-half ounce or four teaspoonfuls for an adult, one to two
teaspoonfuls for a child, of mustard to a cup of warm water may be given
and repeated every ten or fifteen minutes until free vomiting is produced.
Salt and warm water may be used in the same way. Tickling the throat with
a finger or a feather produces vomiting.
Goose grease, lard, lard drippings, vaselin, all in large amounts.
Other medicines: Sulphate of zinc, ten to twenty grains at a dose, in a
cup of warm water; or fluid extract of ipecac fifteen to thirty drops, or
syrup of ipecac one teaspoonful.
Poisons may be divided into corrosive and irritant.
Corrosive poison: This is a poison that is likely to eat or burn through
organic tissue immediately.
Irritant poison acts more slowly and produces inflammation which later may
result in suppuration and perforation.
An emetic or stomach pump cannot be used in some poisons, such as suphuric
acid, because the tissues are quickly injured by the acid and the emetic
and pump would only injure farther.
ACONITE. Symptoms.--Sudden collapse; slow, feeble, irregular pulse, and
breathing; tickling in the mouth and the extremities, giddiness, great
muscular weakness; pupils generally dilated, may be contracted; mind is
clear.
Antidotes: Solution of tannic acid, twenty drops to a glass of water, to
wash out the stomach.
Treatment.--Stimulants, whisky or brandy; digitalis, artificial
respiration, warmth and friction of the body. Lie in recumbent position.
ALCOHOL. Symptoms.--Stupid, confused, giddy, staggers, drowsy, but can be
aroused; full pulse, deep snoring, respiration, injected eyes, dilated
pupils, low temperature.
Emetics.--Strong hot coffee, inhale amyl nitrite; hot and cold douches.
AMMONIA. Symptoms.--Intense inflammation of the stomach and bowels, often
with bloody vomiting and purging; lips and tongue swollen; violent
difficulty in breathing; characteristic odor.
Antidotes.--Lemon juice and water, vinegar and water half and half.
Treatment.--Milk, soothing drinks; sweet oil or castor oil, bland drinks
like flaxseed tea, slippery elm, albumen (white of egg) water. The oil
should be used last.
ANTIMONY. Symptoms.--Metallic taste, violent vomiting, becoming bloody,
feeble pulse; pain and burning in the stomach. Violent watery purging,
becoming bloody; cramps in the extremities, thirst, great weakness;
sometimes prostration, collapse, unconsciousness.
Antidotes.--Tannic acid, twenty drops to a glass of water.
[402 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
Treatment.--Soothing drinks, milk, white of egg and water, flaxseed tea,
etc.; external heat.
ARSENIC, Symptoms.--Violent burning in the stomach, nausea and vomiting,
retching, thirst, purging of blood and mucus, suppressed urine, cramps in
the legs, intense thirst, collapse.
Antidotes.--Jeaunel's antidote.
Treatment.--Emetics freely, mustard water, salt and warm water, goose
grease, etc. White of egg and milk, and then sweet oil or castor oil.
ARSENICAL POISONING, Chronic Cases, Causes.--Inhaling arsenic from dyes,
in wall-paper, carpet, etc, Taking it in by the mouth in handling dyed
paper, artificial flowers, etc., and in many fabrics employed as clothing.
The glazed green and red papers used in the kindergartens also contain
arsenic. The drug given in repeated and excessive doses causes poisoning
sometimes.
Symptoms.--Dry throat, watery swelling of the eyelids, sometimes coryza,
nausea, burning vomiting, and burning watery diarrhea; skin eruptions,
falling off of the hair, paralysis of the arms and legs, with wasting and
numbness, but little pain, The legs are most affected, causing steppage
gait.
Treatment.--Remove the cause in these chronic cases and treat the
symptoms. It may be best for a physician to prescribe treatment.
ATROPINE. Symptoms.--Flushed face, red eyes, throbbing head, pulse fast,
dizzy, staggering, hot and dry throat, dilated pupils, scarlet rash on the
skin. Patient may be delirious and wildly so.
Antidotes.--Tannic acid, twenty drops in glass of water. Emetics to
produce vomiting, such as mustard water, salt and warm water, goose
grease, vaselin, etc.
Stimulants.--Coffee to drink or by enema, artificial respiration.
BELLADONNA, Symptoms.--Flushed face, red eyes, throbbing head, pulse fast,
dizzy, staggering, hot and dry throat, dilated pupils, scarlet rash on the
skin. Patient may be delirious and wildly so.
Antidotes.--Tannic acid, twenty drops in glass of water,
Treatment.--Emetics to produce vomiting, such as mustard water, warm salt
water, goose grease, vaselin, etc.
Stimulants.--Coffee to drink or by enema, artificial respiration,
BLUE STONE. Symptoms.--Vomiting and purging, taste of metal, severe pains,
dizziness and headache and sometimes insensibility.
Treatment.--Emetics such as mustard water, warm salt water, goose grease,
vaselin, etc. Then white of eggs, followed by milk and soothing drinks,
flaxseed tea, etc.
BLUE VITRIOL. Symptoms.--Vomiting and purging, taste of metal, severe
pains, dizziness and headache and sometimes insensibility.
Antidote.--Jeaunel's antidote.
[ACCIDENTS AND POISONS 403]
Treatment.--Emetics such as mustard water, warm salt water, goose grease,
vaselin, etc., then white of eggs, followed by milk and soothing drinks,
flaxseed tea, etc.
CARBOLIC ACID. Symptoms.--Immediately burning pain from mouth to stomach;
giddiness, loss of consciousness, collapse, partial suppression of the
urine; characteristic odor and white color of lips, etc.
Antidotes. Epsom salts or glaubers salts, and water very freely to drink;
drink a pint of flaxseed tea. Later strong coffee or whisky and water as
stimulants.
External.--If burned externally by carbolic acid, apply immediately some
oil-sweet oil, olive oil or any good oil at hand-or wash freely with
baking soda water. Should the acid get into the eye continue application
of oil or soda water and send for a physician. Hold lower lid down to
prevent acid getting into pupil until you are sure all the acid is off of
the lids.
CHLORAL. Symptoms.--Deep sleep, livid look, pulse weak, breathing slow,
pupils contracted during sleep, but dilated when awake, temperature low.
Antidotes.--Permanganate of potash, four to five grains every half hour.
Treatment.--Emetics at first, if seen early, such as mustard water, and
warm salt water, vaselin, goose grease, etc. Keep person awake by walking,
slapping and cold applications; give strong coffee enemas.
COPPER. Symptoms.--Intense corrosion of the mouth and stomach, bleeding
and cramps in the bowels.
Treatment. Emetics.--Mustard water, warm salt water, lard, vaselin, etc.
Then milk and eggs, black coffee enema.
CORROSIVE SUBLIMATE. Symptoms.--Burning heat in stomach and bowels,
vomiting, diarrhea, with bloody stools, tongue white, shriveled:
suppressed urine, gums sore, salivation.
Antidote.--Milk or white of eggs; one egg for four grains of drug; milk,
flour paste.
Treatment.--Cause vomiting after the antidote has been given, and follow
with soothing drinks, castor oil.
CHEESE, Spoiled. Symptoms.--Vomiting, cramps, diarrhea, weakness, cold
hands and feet.
Treatment.--Emetics, such as warm water and salt until patient vomits
freely; or mustard water, lard, vaselin, tickle throat with feather, etc.
Enema to empty lower bowel; stimulants, such as strong coffee or whisky.
DEADLY NIGHT-SHADE. Symptoms.--Flushed face, red eyes, throbbing head,
pulse fast, dizzy, staggering, hot and dry throat, dilated pupils, scarlet
rash on the skin. Patient may be delirious and wildly so.
[404 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
Antidotes.--Tannic acid, twenty drops in glass of water. Emetics to
produce vomiting, such as mustard water, salt and warm water, goose
grease, vaselin, etc.
Stimulants.--Coffee to drink or by enema, artificial respiration.
FOWLER'S SOLUTION. Symptoms.--Violent burning in the stomach, nausea and
vomiting, retching, thirst, purging of blood and mucus, suppressed urine,
cramps in the legs, intense thirst, collapse.
Antidote.--Jeaunel's antidote.
Treatment.--Emetics freely, mustard water, salt and warm water, goose
grease, etc., then white of egg and milk and follow with sweet oil or
castor oil.
HYDROCHLORIC ACID, Symptoms.--The stomach and bowels are irritated and
inflamed, the mouth may burn and bleed; swallowing is difficult; "coffee
grounds" vomiting.; pulse feeble, clammy skin.
Treatment.--Usually the first thing to do is to give an emetic. Send for a
doctor and give an emetic. Then give chalk or, if necessary, take plaster
from the wall, mix it with a glass of water. Also three or four eggs (raw)
in a glass of milk can be taken.
HELLEBORE, WHITE AND GREEN. Symptoms.--Pain and burning in the bowels,
vomiting and diarrhea, slow weak pulse, pupils dilated usually.
Treatment.--Emetics, such as mustard water, warm salt water, goose grease,
vaselin, etc.; stimulants, strong coffee, brandy, whisky. Keep patient
quiet and warm.
IODINE. Symptoms.--Pain in throat and stomach, vomiting is yellow from the
iodine, or blue if starch is in the stomach; color and odor of iodine on
lips and in mouth.
Antidote.--Starch or flour mixed into a paste with water, should be given
and followed by emetics.
Treatment.--Emetics, something to cause vomiting, warm salt water, mustard
water, etc. Then sweating drinks, such as hot flaxseed or hop tea, etc.
LYE. Symptoms.--Intense inflammation of the stomach and bowels, often with
bloody vomiting and purging; lips and tongue swollen; violent difficulty
in breathing; characteristic odor.
Antidotes.--Lemon juice and water; vinegar and water, half and half.
Treatment.--Milk, soothing drinks; sweet oil or castor oil, bland drinks
like flaxseed tea, slippery elm, albumen (white of egg) water. The oil
should be used last.
LAUDANUM. Symptoms.--Excitement at first, soon weariness weighty limbs,
sleepiness, pin-point pupils, pulse and breathing slow and strong, patient
roused with difficulty and later it is impossible, snoring breathing.
[ACCIDENTS AND POISONS 405]
Treatment.--This is a dangerous poison. A stomach pump should be used.
Emetics, such as mustard and warm water or warm salt water or vaselin,
etc. Keep patient awake, stimulants, coffee enemas, artificial
respiration, etc.
MERCURIC CHLORIDE. Symptoms.--Burning heat in stomach and bowels,
vomiting, diarrhea, with bloody stools, tongue white, shriveled,
suppressed urine, gums sore, salivation.
Antidote.--Milk or white of eggs; one egg for four grains of drug, flour
paste.
Treatment.--Cause vomiting after the antidote has been given, then give
soothing drinks and dose of castor oil.
MORPHINE. Symptoms.--Excitement at first, soon weariness, weighty limbs,
sleepiness, pin-point pupils, pulse and breathing slow and strong; patient
roused with difficulty and later it is impossible; snoring breathing.
Treatment.--This is a dangerous poison. A stomach pump should be used.
Emetics, such as mustard and warm water or warm salt water, or vaselin,
etc. Keep patient awake; stimulants, coffee enemas, artificial
respiration, etc.
NUX VOMICA. Symptoms.--Appear quickly. Terrible convulsions, in paroxysms,
devilish grin, the body is curved backward, jaw set.
Treatment.--Cause vomiting with warm salt water, warm mustard water, lard,
vaselin, etc.; sixty grains of bromide of potash and thirty grains of
chloral hydrate by the rectum. Dark quiet room.
NITRIC ACID. Symptoms.--The stomach and bowels are irritated and inflamed,
the mouth may burn and bleed; swallowing is difficult. "Coffee grounds"
vomiting. Pulse feeble, clammy skin.
OXALIC ACID. Symptoms.--Hot acrid taste; burning, vomiting, collapse, numb
and stupid.
Antidotes.--Lime or chalk.
Treatment.--Medicines, soothing drinks, flaxseed tea, etc.
OPIUM. Symptoms.--Excitement at first, soon weariness, weighty limbs,
sleepiness, pin-point pupils, pulse and breathing slow and strong, patient
roused with difficulty and later it is impossible, snoring breathing.
Treatment.--This is a dangerous poison. A stomach pump should be used.
Emetics, such as mustard water, or warm salt water or vaselin, etc. Keep
patient awake, stimulants, coffee enemas, artificial respiration, etc.
PARIS GREEN. Symptoms.--Violent burning in the stomach, nausea, and
vomiting, retching, thirst, purging of blood and mucus, suppressed urine,
cramps in the legs, intense thirst, collapse.
[406 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
Antidotes.--Jeaunel's antidote.
Treatment.--Emetics freely, mustard water, warm salt water, goose grease,
etc. White of egg and milk first, and then sweet oil or castor oil.
PAREGORIC. Symptoms.--Excitement at first, soon weariness, weighty limbs,
sleepiness, pin-point pupils, pulse and breathing slow and strong, patient
roused with difficulty and later it is impossible, snoring breathing.
Treatment.--This is a dangerous poison. A stomach pump should be used.
Emetics such as mustard and warm water or warm salt water, or vaselin,
etc. Keep patient awake, stimulants, coffee enemas, artificial
respiration, etc.
PHOSPHORUS MATCHES. Symptoms.--Vomiting and pain, the vomit may be
luminous in the dark, characteristic odor, after several days deep
jaundice, blood in vomited matter and bloody stools, pulse is rapid and
weak.
Treatment.--Emetics to cause vomiting such as warm salt water, warm
mustard water, etc., followed by epsom salts in large doses; five to ten
drops of turpentine.
POTASH, CAUSTIC. Symptoms.--Intense inflammation of the stomach and
bowels, often with bloody vomiting and purging; lips and tongue swollen;
violent difficulty in breathing; characteristic odor.
Antidotes.--Lemon juice and water, vinegar and water half and half.
Treatment.--Milk, soothing drinks; sweet oil or castor oil, bland drinks
like flaxseed tea, slippery elm, albumen water, white of egg water. The
oil should be used last.
POISONOUS PLANTS. Symptoms.--Vomiting, terrible weakness.
Treatment.--Emetics such as warm mustard water, warm salt water, goose
grease, vaselin, lard, etc.; strong coffee, brandy; heat to extremities,
artificial respiration.
ROUGH ON RATS. Symptoms.--Violent burning in stomach, nausea, and
vomiting, retching, thirst, purging of blood and mucus, Suppressed urine,
cramps in legs, intense thirst, collapse.
Antidote.--Jeannel's antidote.
Treatment.--Emetics freely such as warm mustard water, warm salt water,
goose grease, etc. White of egg and milk first, and then sweet oil or
castor oil.
[ACCIDENTS AND POISONS 407]
SALTPETRE. Symptoms.--Intense inflammation of the stomach and bowels,
often with bloody vomiting and purging; lips and tongue swollen; violent
difficulty in breathing; characteristic odor.
Antidotes.--Lemon juice and water, vinegar and water half and half.
Treatment.--Milk, soothing drinks; sweet oil or castor oil, bland drinks
like flaxseed tea, slippery elm, albumen (white of egg) water. The oil
should be used last.
SANTONIN. Symptoms.--Object looks blue, then yellow, ringing ears,
dizziness.
Treatment.--Emetics such as warm mustard water, warm salt water, goose
grease, lard, etc.; stimulants, brandy, strong coffee.
STRYCHNINE. Symptoms.--Appear quickly. Terrible convulsions, in paroxysms,
devilish grin, the body is curved backward, jaw set.
Treatment.--Cause vomiting, with warm salt water, warm mustard water,
lard, vaselin, etc.; sixty grains of bromide of potash and thirty grains
of chloral hydrate by the rectum. Dark, quiet room.
SPOILED FOODS. Symptoms.--Vomiting, cramps, diarrhea, weakness, cold hands
and feet.
Treatment.--Emetics such as warm salt water until patient vomits freely;
or mustard water, lard, goose grease, vaselin, tickle throat with feather,
etc.
SULPHURIC ACID. Symptoms.--The stomach and bowels are irritated and
inflamed, the mouth may burn and bleed; swallowing is difficult. "Coffee
grounds" vomiting. Pulse feeble, clammy skin.
Treatment.--Usually the first thing to do is to give an emetic. Send for a
doctor and give an emetic. Then give chalk or, if necessary, take plaster
from wall, mix it with a glass of water. Also three or four eggs (raw) in
a glass of milk can be taken.
TARTAR EMETIC. Symptoms.--Metallic taste, violent vomiting, becoming
bloody, feeble pulse; pain and burning in the stomach. Violent watery
purging, becoming bloody; cramps in the extremities, thirst, great
weakness; sometimes prostration, collapse, unconsciousness.
Antidotes.--Tannic acid, twenty drops to glass of water.
Treatment.--Soothing drinks, milk, white of egg and water, flaxseed tea,
etc., external heat.
TOBACCO. Symptoms.--Vomiting, terrible weakness.
Treatment.--Emetics, such as warm salt water, warm mustard water, goose
grease, lard, vaselin, etc.; then stimulants such as strong, coffee,
brandy; heat to extremities, artificial respiration.
WINE OF ANTIMONY. Symptoms.--Metallic taste, violent vomiting, becoming
bloody, feeble pulse; pain and burning in the stomach. Violent watery
purging, becoming bloody; cramps in the extremities, thirst, great
weakness; sometimes prostration, collapse, unconsciousness.
Antidotes.--Tannic acid, twenty drops to glass of water.
Treatment.--Soothing drinks, milk, white of egg and water, flax seed tea,
etc.; external heat.
[408 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]