POISONS. 177 
POISONS. 
GENERAL REMARKS, 
With irritant poisons there is usually almost immediate 
action along the alimentary canal. The general symptomsare 
intense pain, vomiting, usually purging, and final collapse. It 
is important to discriminate the poison taken, the symptoms 
are so much alike. It is usually difficult to do this without the 
history of the case. The treatment should be :mmediate. 
The puison, if still in the stomach, should be removed as quickly 
as possible (diluent drinks, emetics, stomach pump); if in the 
intestinal tract, cathartics should be used ; in collapse, external 
heat, and alcoholic drinks diluted. 
The general symptoms with narcotic poisons are: Headache, 
giddiness, paralysis, coma, delirium, and usually convulsions. 
Death usually comes from failure of respiration. The 
first requisite in treatment is to maintain respiration. 
Flagellations, shakings, commands, galvanism, atropia 
hypodermically administered, and artificial respiration, are the 
general means to be employed.. The temperature must be 
maintained. Ifany of the poison isin the stomach unabsorbed, 
it must be removed immediately, 
Actp, AcETIc.—Symptoms and treatment similar to the 
mineral acids. 
Acip, CARBOLIC.—Symptoms occur quickly. Generally the 
odour of the acid is noticeable, and white corrugated patches 
in themouth. If possible empty the stomach with the stomach 
pump. Antidotes: Lime water, magnesia, mucilaginous drinks, 
olive or castor oil, 
Actp, Hyprocyantc.—Is one of the most intense and rapid 
poisons known. Its effects are the same whether it be inhaled, 
injected into the blood, or subcutaneously. It may cause death 
in two ways. A large dose proves fatal in a few seconds. The 
animal falls as if struck by lightning, with or without a cry. 
Its pupils are widely dilated. A smaller, but still fatal dose, 
