The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1885-05-16
POISONS AND ANTIDOTES
How Life May Often be Saved by
Prompt Action.

~ @ASS@O~-'
Poison may be defined as any sub
stance which when introduced into the
system or applied externally Injuries
health or destroys life irrespective of
mechanical means or direct thermal
changes" Such is the concise and apt
definition of poison laid down in DR..
Quain's MedjcaI Dictionary. The ac-
ton of poisons is twofold, being either
local or remote, or both, The local ac-
ton is generally one of corrosive or
inilammatory nature, or is character
lied by its effects upon the nerves and
sensations. Although it is impossible
to deal with so vast subject in detail,
yet nevertheless it can not be denied
that general knowledge of some of
the most vrulent posions and their an
dotes is not only a subject of great in
tercst to the public, but at times mat
ter of life and death BY fair insight
into pOisons and their antidotes, life in
deed may often be saved when the de-
lay caused by seeking for medical ad-
vice would probably be fatal. The
purpose of this paper, therefore, will be
to deal as clearly as possible with the
most general poisons and their symp-
toms, and to point out such antidotes
as in cases of emergency may be most
readily employed.
An acquaintance with the leading
,,raAnpnA hyr .toi,
is an important factor, for thereby we
may hope more rapidly to recognize the
especial destructive agency at work,
and thus to arrest its further progress.
Great, care, however, is requisite never
to draw hasty conclusion from one
symptom alone, but to bear in mind
other signs upon which correct dag
nosis can alone be based. MANY at
temptS have from time to time been
made with view to classify poisouS;
but the most rational classification is
obviously that which is in accordance
with their special action. They may
therefore be divided generally under the
following heads-O Corrosives; (2)
Irritants, and (3) Neurotcs.
Under the head of corrosives, corro-
siye sublimate stands foremost in i'm
portance, being the most typical of this
class. The effects are rapid in their de-
velopment, being well marked by a
burning sensation felt in the mouth and
throat, followed by agonizing pain in
the stomach. The tongue and throat
have white appearance, and excessive
tenderness and swelling of the abdomen
is noticeable. All authorities agree in
recommending albumcn in the form of
raw eggs-bOth yelk and white
switched up with little water, as the
best antidote in cases of acute pc on
ing from corrosive sublimate. The al
bumen combines with the corrosive
sublimate to form an insoluble and COM
paratively inert compound. Should
eggs not be Immediately obtanable,
gluten obtained from flour, or wheat
flour alone mixed with milk or water
may be given until the more reliable
antidote is ready The chief of the cor
rosive posons are the mineral acids,
sulphuric, nitric and hydrochloric; the
vegetable acids, oxalic, binoXalate of
potash Commonly called salt OF
lemon and salt of sorreD, and
occasionally in large doses tar
taric acid; the alkalies, potash,
soda, and ammonia, with certain OF
their salts, such as pearl-ash Commonly
called salt of tartar), carbonate of soda
Commonly called washing-soda) and
carbonate of ammonia; also various me.
tallic compounds, including salts OF
zinc. tin, silver and antimony, etc.
Poisoning by oxalic acid is a very com
mon method chosen by would-be sui.
cides, probably owing to the fact that il
is a substance much used in household
operations, and therefore readily OBJ
tainable by any one bent on committing
suicide. In speaking of the action Of
this poison that renowned authority, the
late Sir Robert Christison, observes in
his splendid work on ToxicOlogy: II
a person Immediately after swallowing
n solution of a crystalline salt which
tasted purely and strongly acid, is at
tackled with burning in the throat, ther
with burning in the stomach, vomiting
particularly of bloody matter, imper
ceptible pulse and excessive languor
and dies in half an hour or twenty
minutes, or still more in ten or fifteer
minutes, | do not know any fallacy
which can Interfere with the conclusion
that oxtic acid was the cause o.
death"
1t is obvious in such cases that the
chances Of success in applying antidotes
depend very much upon their immed
ate employment, For the mineral acids
alkaline bicarbonates, such as bicar
Donates of potash or soda (baking soda)
chalk or magnesia should at once b.