The treatment of poisons in general consists of the use of substances
which, by combining chemically with an injurious dose, will neutralize,
as acids with alkalies and vice versa; by solvents, which take up the
poison, as olive oil with carbolic acid; and by emetics which produce
vomiting and dislodge the poison. The stomach pump is also used, if
available, to empty the stomach, and for some poisons electricity is
used.
If the exact poison is unknown it is best to follow a general plan of
treatment. We want an emetic, an antidote and a cathartic. For the first
a draught of warm water and tickling the throat with a finger or a
feather will generally succeed. For an antidote that will neutralize the
great majority of poisons give a mixture of equal parts of calcined
magnesia, pulverized charcoal and sesquioxide of iron, mixed thoroughly.
Castor oil is the best cathartic for general use in poisoning.
Here are a few special instructions for the treatment of the more common
cases of poisoning:
For carbolic acid give olive oil or castor oil or glycerine.
For ammonia give frequently a tablespoonful of vinegar or lemon juice,
and follow this with a cathartic of castor oil.
For alcohol empty the stomach by emetics, warm salt water, repeated at
short intervals, being the best. If the head is hot, dash cool water
upon it. Keep up motion and rubbing and slapping to increase the
circulation.
For arsenic, fly poison or paris green, take milk, gruel water with
starch dissolved in it, oil and lime water. Be sure and empty the
stomach by vomiting. It may require three or four repetitions of an
emetic to dislodge the sticky paste from the walls of the stomach. Oil
and barley gruel or mucilage water should be given to protect the
stomach.
For chloroform and ether, artificial breathing must be stimulated. Lower
the head of the patient and elevate the legs. Place ammonia at the nose
to be inhaled, and slap the surface of the chest smartly with the fringe
of a towel dipped in ice water.
For sulphate of copper or blue vitriol, give an emetic of warm water or
mustard and warm water. Do not give vinegar or acids. After vomiting
give milk or white of egg and oil.
For mercury poisoning by corrosive sublimate or calomel, give promptly
the white of eggs mixed in water or milk. Empty the stomach by vomiting
and then give quantities of egg and water or milk or even flour and
water.
For opium, morphine, laudanum, paregoric or soothing syrup poisoning
cleanse the stomach thoroughly by vomiting, and then give strong coffee.
The patient must be kept in constant motion. At the same time he must be
frequently aroused by smart blows with the palm of the hand, or
switching, and whipping the body with a wet towel. When all else fails
artificial respiration should be kept up for a long time.
For phosphorus, heads of matches, etc., use a mixture of hydrated
magnesia and cold water in repeated draughts, and produce free vomiting.
The emetic is mustard, flour and water. Do not use oil, as it tends to
dissolve the phosphorus.
For strychnine, rat poison and the like give an emetic, and after this
operates administer draughts of strong coffee. Control the convulsions
by inhaling chloroform, a teaspoonful poured upon a napkin and placed
near the nostrils. Between paroxysms give chloral dissolved in water.
The patient should be allowed to go to sleep if so inclined and under
any circumstances kept perfectly quiet, for any shock brings
convulsions.
For venomous snake bites tie a bandage tightly above the point of the
bite, leave the wound to bleed, and draw from it what poison may remain
by sucking, unless you have a sore mouth. Cauterize the wound with
caustics, a hot iron or a hot coal. Give alcoholic liquors and strong
coffee freely. Dress the wound with equal parts of oil and ammonia.
For poisonous mushrooms give a brisk emetic, then epsom salts and then
large and stimulating injections to move the bowels, followed by ether
and alcoholic stimulants. The poison of mushrooms is very similar to
that of venomous snake bites.