The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1920-10-02
FIRST AID TO THE INJURED
Nineth of Series of Articles on
First Aid authorized by the
Northern Division Of the
American Red Cross.
BE A HELPFUL BYSTANDER
BY Captain G. r. G. Fisher
POISONS

which cannot be taken up exhaustive
ly in elementary papers such as this
series affords, and then, too, It would
not be wise to make this lesson too
technical, since what is really neces-.
sary is to give few plain hints such
as will prove effetual in meeting
such an emergency as poisoning.
Lots of people think that in all
cases of poisoning, the most import
ant thing to do is to give an emetic-
to make the patient vomit, but this
is very unfortunate idea, for in some
cases it would prove fatal. So then,
to be quite sure as to this matter Of
emetics. if the mouth or lips are burn
err or stained, that is usually the evil
dence that an acid or strong alkali
has been swallowed, and in that case
an emetic must not be given. Among
acids, salts of lemon and certain pol
ishing pastes must be included, while
the alkalies are caustic potash, eau
site soda (lye) and ammonia.
What we need to remember in cases
of acid or alkali poisoning is that
we must first give a neutralizer,
hence if it is acid that is swallowed
the antidote or neutralizer is an Ak
ali, such as lime water, Aromatic
Suirits of Ammonia. (teaspoonful in:
glass OF water) baking soda in wa
ter, chalk powdered in water. First
get patient to rinse mouth out, and
then let him sip the mixture SLOWLY.
II it is a strong alkali, then the
neutralizer or ahtidote is an acid.
Lemon juice, vinegar (5O-5O in wa
teri, grape fruit or even orange Juice.
AS before, first rinse out mouth and
then let patient drink by sips. Fol-
low this by letting them drink oil,
such as olive, oil, salad, cod-liver, or
that found in good sardines; If no
oil is at hand give cream and flour
beaten together, or raw eggs beaten
in water or milk. Remember the
principal holds if one is overcomme
by acid or alkali fumes. Pour the
neutralizer on a cloth and hold to the
nostrils so they can inhale, |. e., If
the suffocating fumes were ammonia,
soak a cloth with strong vinegar,
if an acid, soak a cloth
with clear aromatic spirits of am
monia.
If the mouth and lips are not
stained, and you are not positive as
to what the poison was, then quickly
give an emetic, and insist on patient
by pushing finger back in
mouth.
Common emetics, tepid water, two
tablesspoonfuls of salt, or one of
in glass of tepid water. /
Follow emetics with draughts of
milk, raw egg beaten in milk or wa
ter, milk and flour mixed or even oils
may be given in all poisoning except
Strong tea, especially
black tea, may be boiled and given
in many cases of poisoning.
such as opium, morphine, chlrodyne,
give emetic. Follow with strong
black coffee, and keep patient awake.
If it Is carbolic acid, rinse out the
mouth with clear alcohol or anys
strong liquor. Mix some in water
$3.50 and let drink slowly. Follow
with milk and epson salts. or cas-
tor oil mixture: Paris green poison
ing, emetic of soapy water. oils to
drink. stimulate with aromatic spir-
it's of ammonia (one-half teaspoon
full in one-half glass Of water), and
friction to body. Ptomaine poison
ing, from bad fish, meats. etc. En-
etics large dose castor Oil, stimulate
and apply heat to body.
Always speed medical aid. but lose
no time in following the above sug-
gestions. In all poisoning it is the
first 10 to Is minutes that tells.
Their Greatest Menace.
Somebody has discovered that to-
bacco smoke is not injurious to
frogs. The most injurious thing we
know of is the fact that they have
edible legs.