COMMON ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES 



355 



treatment is to prevent absorption of the dangerous 

 substance and local injury to the tissues. It is usually 

 desirable to cause vomiting. This may often be done 

 simply by thrusting a finger into the throat ; or a table- 

 spoonful of ground mustard, or of common salt, in a glass 

 of warm water, or even lukewarm water alone may act as 

 an emetic. Vomiting should be induced repeatedly, and 

 then the antidote for the poison, if known, should be given; 

 and, if the poison is an irritant, slimy fluids, such as white 

 of egg, mucilage, flaxseed tea, or barley water, should be 

 swallowed in order to protect the walls of the alimentary 

 canal from its action. In certain cases, however, emetics 

 should not be used. 



518. Table of Common Poisons ; Symptoms and Antidotes. 



POISONS 



Acids 

 Carbolic 

 Hydrochloric 

 Nitric 

 Oxalic 



Sulphuric (the most 

 serious) 



Alkalis 

 Ammonia 

 Caustic potash, or 



soda 

 Lye 

 Saltpeter 



SYMPTOMS 



Blistering and burn- 

 ing of the surface ; 

 intense inflamma- 

 tion of stomach. 

 Carbolic acid causes 

 nervous symptoms 

 also great weak- 

 ness. 



Symptoms similar to 

 those caused by acid 

 poisoning. 



TREATMENT 



Weak alkalis, magne- 

 sia, common soda, 

 chalk, soap, dilute 

 ammonia, etc., after- 

 ward mucilaginous 

 drinks, white of egg, 

 milk, etc. For ox- 

 alic acid give lime ; 

 other alkalies are not 

 antidotes for it. 



Treat corroded sur- 

 faces like burns. 



Give no emetic. 



Weak acids vinegar, 

 or lemon juice ; olive 

 oil, melted butter, 

 cream. Give no 

 emetic. Soothing 

 applications to sur- 

 faces. 



