Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-03-21
IPOISONS AND ANTIDOTES.
WHAT TO DO WHEN A DOCTOR CAM
NOT BE CALLED IN TIME.

| Symptoms of various Kinds of Poisons
Simple Remedies and Treatment
Which Will Prove Emcient If Prompt
1y Applied - Artificial Respiration.
Even in the city cases of poisoning
sometimes prove fatal because physi-
clan cannot be procured in time to nd
minister the necessary remedies, and
1t would be wise precaution for every
household to have some general direc-
tions at hand for an emergency. The
New York Society flor Instruction in
First Aid to the Injured teaches it's
classes the symptoms and remedies for
various poisons as follows:
Among the poisons known as "irri-
tant" are arsenic in its numerous
forms, corrosive sublimate, sugar of
lead, white lead, the strong acids, such
as sulphuric or vitriol. muriatic, nitric,
oxalic and carbolic; the strong alkalies,
such as soda, potash, lime and am
monia water. The symptoms of poi
soning by an irritant are severe pains
in the stomach and abdomen, nausea,
vomiting, purging, faintness, and Of
ten feeble pulse and breathing. The
treatment is first to cause vomiting by
giving tumblerful of warm (not hot)
water with tablespoonful of ground
dry mustard stirred in it. or by push
! ing the forefnger as far as possible
down the throat. The forefnger is
the best possible emetic. After caus-
ing the patient to vomit freely, give
large draughts of milk, or the whites
of couple of eggs, not beaten. If
The poison were an acid, give also
magnesia or cooking soda to neutralize.
If an alkali, give lemon juice or :ta-
blespoonful Of vinegar.
The systemic" poisons are opium,
morphia, laudanum, paregoric, bella
donna, atropia, aconite, henbane or
hyoscyamus, stramonium, prussic
acid, cyanide Of potassium, nux vom-
lea, strychnia, alcohol, chloroform
and ether. The symptoms differ with
the different poisons, but as o rule
there is gradually increasing sleepi-
ness, stupor, insensibility or perhaps
delirium; and stertorous or "puffy"
breathing. In opium poisoning
(which includes -morphia, laudanum
and paregoric) the pupils of the eyes
are contracted to the size of small pin
heads, breathing is very slow, and the
face often extremely pale. In strych-
MIA poisoning there are commissions,
almost like epilepsy, and the Jaws are
set firmly together. In belladonna,
atropia, hyoscyamus and stramonium
the pupils of the eye are dilated, the
pulse rapid, and the appearance is
that of fever. In aconite, chloral and
tobacco poisoning there is great pros
tration, pulselfeeble and face pale.
The first thing to be done, as in the
other poisons, is to cause repeated
vomiting, using the same means.
After the emetic has acted freely, give
strong black coffee in frequent doses.
II case of opium poisoning, on no
account allow the patient to go to
sleep. Keep him walking up and
down, slapping him on the back and
chest with wet towel, but be careful
not to exhaust him. If symptoms of
collapse appear, put hot applications
on the abdomen and legs. The symp-
toms are feeble breathing, pale face,
pinched about the nose and anxious,
eyelids dropping, eyes dull, pulse fee
BILE and skin cold.
II the respiration becomes slower
than five or six breaths in a minute,
begin artificial respiration, and con-
tinue until no longer necessary. Ar
tifcial Respiration is produced by lay
ing the patient on his back, with a roll
of cloth under the shoulders. Draw
the tongue well out and tie it against
the lower teeth by laying the centre of
dry strip of cloth on it, crossing the
cloth under the chin, carrying the
ends around the neck and tying at
side of neck. Then kneel behind his
head, grasp his arms half way between
elbows and wrists, and draw them up
and over his head until his hands
touch the floor behind. Hold them
there for fully two seconds, then carry
them back until they rest against the
sides of the chest, and press them
firmly against the chest for two sec
onds. Repeat until natural respira-
ton takes place. The method is the
same as in cases of drowning.
Permanganate of potassium Is an
antidote to morphine, but coffee is
valuable in all systemic poisons.-
New York Tribune.