ACCIDENTS. 323 



1. Mustard a Common Emetic. The most common 

 emetic is mustard ; a tablespoonful in a cup of warm water; 

 give half of it, following with free drinking of warm water, 

 then give the rest of the mustard. Do not wait for it to 

 dissolve, but stir quickly and give at once. Provoke vom- 

 iting by tickling the throat with a feather or with the 

 finger. If the mouth of the patient cannot readily be 

 opened, insert the thumbs inside the cheeks and back of 

 the teeth. If mustard is not at hand, a strong solution of 

 table salt will serve. In a few cases, such as poisoning by 

 ammonia, lye, etc., it is considered best not to administer 

 an emetic, but to try to neutralize the effect. 



2. Neutralize the Poison. To neutralize a poison this 

 general rule should be known : an alkali may be neutral- 

 ized 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. 



Q 



3. Give Something Soothing. After any irritant poi- 

 son some mild and soothing substance 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 physi- 

 cian should be sent for immediately, as the after-treatment 

 is of great importance. 



The tables of " Poisons, their Symptoms, Antidotes, and 

 Treatment," in the appendix, are taken from the excellent 

 Text-Book of Nursing \>y Clara Weeks-Shaw. 



Wounds from Thorns, Rusty Nails. Promote bleed- 

 ing by rubbing and pressing the wound and bathing with 



