Accidents. 295 



the same method as after drowning, except the first part, which is to 

 remove water from the windpipe, etc. 



Poisons and their Antidotes. Several of the common drugs and 

 remedies kept about the house are more or less poisonous. The proper 

 antidote for each should be known and kept at hand. In the first place, 

 all such materials should be kept locked up so they will not be taken 

 by children, or by mistake, as in the haste of getting medicine in the 

 night. Again, all grown persons in the family should be instructed as 

 to the effects of each poison, and taught its antidote. As soon as any 

 new poisonous drug is bought, it should be made a point to read up 

 about it, and procure an antidote. Every one should know that 

 strychnin causes spasms, that opium brings on stupor, with contracted 

 pupils, etc. 



Objects of Treatment. Treatment aims at three things, (i) to get 

 rid of the poison, (2) to neutralize what remains and prevent further 

 action, (3) to remedy the effects already produced. 



1. Mustard a Common Emetic. The most common emetic is mus- 

 tard ; 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. Pro- 

 voke vomiting 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 poison- 

 ing 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 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. Give Something Soothing. After any irritant poison 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 physician should be sent for imme- 

 diately, as the after-treatment is of great importance. 



