The Bulletin, 39 



Good Housekeeping ought to do as much as possible to put an end to these 

 unfortunate fatalities. First of all, segregate all poisonous drugs in the 

 household, as advised before. Second, study some simple remedies which may- 

 be applied in case of poisoning by the common poisons until medical attend- 

 ance can be secured. To this end a page has been prepared of some common 

 poisons, with a few of their simple antidotes. The readers of Good House- 

 keeping magazine are requested to cut this page out and paste it plainly in 

 every closet or cupboard in which deadly drugs are kept. Not only should 

 each reader do this, but the remedies and antidotes should be clearly kept in 

 memory. 



STOMACH PUMPS AND ANTIDOTES. 



As a rule the first thing to do when a poisonous dose has been swallowed 

 is to empty the stomach. A stomach pump does not cost very much, and its 

 operation is extremely simple. Every family should be provided with one, or 

 else make sure that one is easily accessible in the immediate neighborhood. 

 A stomach pump is to be preferred to the ordinary emetics. It may not, how- 

 ever, always be possible to secure one. For this reason it is advised that a 

 few household emetics be kept on hand. 



A spoonful of powdered mustard to which a considerable quantity of com- 

 mon salt has been added, suspended in warm water, makes a very effectual 

 and reasonably prompt emetic. In fact, emesis as a rule can be easily and 

 promptly secured by drinking copious drafts of lukewarm water, almost satu- 

 rated with salt. The mustard, however, renders the emesis still more prompt. 

 This simple method of producing emesis is to be preferred to the use of sul- 

 phate of zinc or other mineral emetics. The mineral emetics are, however, 

 very prompt and are easily kept on hand, zinc sulphate being the one usually 

 recommended. Epecac can be easily kept and is also efficient. Thus it is 

 seen that the first step in case of poisoning is to evacuate the stomach, pre- 

 ferably by mechanical means, otherwise by emetics which are easily kept in 

 every household. 



After this, the proper antidotes are to be administered. It would be a wise 

 plan for the housekeeper to keep on hand some of these common antidotes. 

 For instance, arsenic poisoning is very common, and the best antidote for 

 arsenic poisoning is hydrate of iron, that is, an iron salt precipitated with 

 ammonia. The efficiency of this remedy, however, largely depends upon its 

 freshness. It therefore can not be kept ready, and in lieu thereof the house- 

 keeper should have the simple ingredients for making it. Two bottles, one 

 holding a solution of ferric sulphate and the other magnesium oxid, suspended 

 in water, are easily kept, and can be prepared by the druggist of such strength 

 that, when mixed, the ferric hydrate is completely precipitated. When these 

 two solutions are mixed together and thoroughly shaken, they are ready at 

 once for administration in arsenic poisoning, and if promptly used would 

 save many lives. This mixture of iron hydrate should be given in large doses 

 and frequently repeated. 



Vinegar, which is a splendid antidote for caustic potash and ammonia, is 

 always available. The best stimulants, as a rule, are whiskey, and, in some 

 cases, caffein or hot coffee. It is not advisable to keep on hand such stimu- 

 lants as strychnin or chloral or chloroform, which are themselves poisons. 

 They can, however, be promptly secured at any neighboring drug store, 

 though perhaps no more quickly than a physician could be called. 



THE NEED FOR CARE. 



Families are. of course, not expected to keep in stock apparatus for the 

 inhaling of oxygen, or to be possessors of a pulmotor. It is the part of wis- 

 dom, however, for every one to know where such an apparatus can be ob- 

 tained for these purposes, so that in case of asphyxiation or other paralysis 

 of the nerves and muscles which control respiration artificial breathing can 

 be set up. This is particularly true in those numerous cases of poisonings 

 due to the inhalation of illuminating gas. 



