POISON IN WOUNDS 337 



soning by ammonia, lye, etc., it is considered best not to 

 administer an emetic, but to try to neutralize the effect. 



2. To neutralize a poison this general rule should be 

 known : an alkali may be neutralized by an acid and vice 

 versa. For example, lye with vinegar, carbolic acid with, 

 whiting or magnesia, etc. Some acids and alkalis are always 

 about a house. 



3. After any irritant poison some mild and soothing sub- 

 stance should be given, white-of-egg, milk, mucilage and 

 water, flour and water, gruel, olive or castor-oil. These 

 materials are partly for neutralizing the poison, and are 

 also soothing in their effect. If a patient is drowsy, some 

 stimulant may be given, as strong coffee (after opium). Of 

 course a physician should be sent for immediately, as the 

 after-treatment is of great importance. 



The following tables of " Poisons, their Symptoms, Anti- 

 dotes, and Treatment," are taken from the excellent Text- 

 book of Nursing by Clara Weeks-Shaw. 



Wounds from Thorns, Rusty Nails, Bites of Cats, 

 Dogs, etc. Promote bleeding by rubbing and pressing the 

 wound and bathing with warm water. Or suck the wound. 

 This tends to remove any injurious matter. Apply poultices. 



If the animal is rabid (mad), suck the wound and cauterize 

 quickly. A poker or nail heated red hot is best for cauteriz- 

 ing. If one cannot do this promptly, get lunar caustic with 

 which to cauterize ; strong acid or alkali, or a coal of fire, may 

 be applied at once to the wound ; the coal on a cigar may be 

 used. Do not kill the animal if there is doubt. Keep it con- 

 fined, and if it proves a false alarm much anxiety will be 

 saved. 



Snake Bites. Apply ligatures around the part between 

 it and the heart. Suck the wound (there is no danger in this 

 if there are no sores or cracks in the skin of the mouth ; venom 



