Sanitation and health / by R.C. Hart.

  • Hart, R.C. (Reginald Clare), 1848-1931.
Date:
1898
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Sanitation and health / by R.C. Hart. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    37/86 (page 19)
    In all cases of poisoning send for a medical man at OTice, but, as delay may be fatal, commence to treat the patient according to the following directions : 1. Except in case of acrid poisons, encourage vomiting. 2. Counteract effects by antidotes which, by acting mechanically or chemically, render the poison harmless. 3. Eemedy the effects, and obviate the tendency to death by stimulants, artificial respiration, &c. Except in cases of poisoning by strong acids, the physician will generally empty and wash out the stomach by means of the stomach pump. If the poison is an acid, the antidote is an alkali. The principal strong acids taken as poisons are: vitriol or sulphuric acid; aqua fortis or nitric acid; spirit of salt or hydrochloric acid; oxalic acid in the salt of sorrel. The most handy antidotes for acid poisoning are soda, potash, magnesia diluted with water, limewater, chalk or whiting, the plaster from the walls or ceilings, milk or soap-suds. We must not forget that in all cases of poisoning, the first remedy at hand is the best; there is no time to he lost. If the poison is an alkali, the antidote is an acid. The chief alkalies that may be taken as poisons are caustic potash and solution of carbonate of ammonia. c 2