The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1881-02-05
POISON IN THE HOUSE.
Prove Very paT gerous-Antidotes
that Should be Used

entitled "What to Do First, written by
G. w. DulIes. and published by Blacks
ton, of Philadelphia, which contains, il
a small space, q great deal which is use
full to know in certain emergencies. Now
as there are copper boilers attached tt
ranges in many kitchens. the use of oxali,
acid to scour them with is quite common
Occasionally We hear Of accidents arising
been left about. The writer of this use6
oNalic acid in her own kitchen, but witt
great precaution. The bottle containing
it is never given to the cook, but only {
small portion of its contents. and when
ever it has been used the servant is asktC
''if all of it has been employed" 1fan!
remains over it is thrown away. 1t j!
the most stupid Of drug clerks that con
POUNDS oxalic acid with epson salts. Tit
acid as Dulles describes it. ''comes il
small. heavy. bright-colored crystals
making clear rattle in a bottle or jar
In case by any accident oXalic acid ha
been taken. the antid0tc for it is in lime
The chemical reason for using lime i
that oXalic acid forms with it an inSolu
BILE compound, and its corrosive action OF
the coating of the stomach is at once
stopped. IF lime-watcr is at han' IL
may be given freely or white-wa>h .oo'i-
powder Gts base is always chall') chalk
whiting, or plaster from the wall. lie
latter may be crushed ar stirred up IN
water without regard" sf''s'hess' "hlch
will not do any ha"h.
For sanitary purposes carb"lic acid is
now freoue.tly found in houses. The
cases of IS accidental use must he of ARE
occnrtnce, as its peculiar strange odor
o..Kes it recognizable at once Still
eases of its having been taken in the
dark are not uncommon. 1t is most
dangerous poison. because, as DR.. Dulles
states, it seems after the first painful cor
rosivc effects ito benumb the stomach. -
At once large and repeated doses of oil
or milk should be given. Certain cases
of poisoning with carbolic acid have been
successfully treated, after oil had been
taken, by stimulation. But it is dam
gerous acid, and care should be taken
with the bottle containing it. Corrosive
sublimate is often employed about a
house to lid a bed vermn. AS it is color
less when in solution. it often escapes
notice. If taken vomiting must be pro-
voked. and some form of tannic acid
given Tea is the strongest thing which
is easy at hand, and a powerful decoction
should be at once administered. Adults
rarely NEEDLE with phosphorus, but
children sometimes suck this very dead
~ substance from matches. Very for
it is discovered by its odor in
the child's breath. and its action is not
rapid. Five grain dose of sulphate of
copper dissolved in water may be given
at intervals of ten minutes until vomiting
comes on. Then n dose of magnesia
should be administered, but no OIL
Mistakes as to quantity of opium pre-
partitions are by no means uncommon ac-
ridents. Such are to be found, most I'M
fortunately, in what Dr. Dulles very
calls the many poisonous nos
trums sold as soothing syrups, pain des-
troyerS, and drops for Infants There
IS no expression harsh enough which
would serve to brand a woman who adj
ministers such poison to her baby. A
mother who gives such substance to her
.hiid without Il doctors advice takes the
chances of life or death in her own
hands. To such, capable of seeing their
children waste away before their eyes, 10
ldvice would be OF avail. We address.
hen. those who. unfortunately. may give
audanum or black drop for paregoric.
: The symptoms are deep sleep. with mar
owing of the pupil Of the eye to Il small
,ircle, which does not enlarge in the
lark. Dir. Dulles advises the immedi
tie and persistent use of emetics and to
Illow the patient to vomit over and over
gain. Particular attention should be
'ald to the breathing. so long as the
breathing does not fall below ten to the
minute there is no danger of death; but
plum is dangerous poison and requires
ii the skill that can be obtained to COM
'at it, Formerly the custom was to
walk patient up and down and to slap
With wet towels. What to Do First"
eprecates this, for the reason that it ex-
austs the patient, who, if very ill. can
ot rally. If physical stimulant is to be
sed, lay the patient Oh bed or lounge
ma slap with the back of Il hair brush, |
I with slipper. This is all the nurs- |
~ necessary so long as breathing keeps
bove ten to the minute. Should it fall |
Glow this, or if the breathing should |
ease. artificial respiration should be EN-. |
Logged. II sometimes happens that
hid gets, through accident. an over
use Of wine or brandy. We have known |
t little girl made dangerously i'll from
aving purloined branded fruit. 1t was |
case Of stupor. The cure was made by
leans of What to Do First " advises,
hartshorn and water, n teaspoonful of
he first lii il tcacupful of water The
Sc Of tainted food such as of decayed
leat or vegetables, sometimes occurs.
he treatment is to excite vomiting. and
} follow this with dose of castor oil and
Iwdered charcoal.
Mothers are very careful bat the most
'udent of them, in the experience of
lie writer of this have sometimes made
istak2s iii the medicines they have
ven their children. One iufalible rule
using any powder Or fluid, no matter
hat it is, is never to take it up. much
SIS to administer it. in the dark. What
the use of having labels marked
Poison y pasted on bottle, if it be in
Sible in the dark. \ bottle Of medi
ne may remain in one position for weeks
but an hour before it is used
melody Or other may have inadvertent-
substituted something else. Ii medi-
mes were always locked up less acct
nts would occur. There is one word
final advice to be given: On the least
spicion of poisoning in Il house send at
ce for the doctor. not necessarily your
N, but the very nearest at hand. The
estion is often asked in cases of poison
: as to the simplest way to provoke
hitting. Lukewarm water in quantity
- =,