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POISONS. 61
POISONS.

SYMPTOMS AND ANTIDOTES.
Cases of poisoning require the prompt administration of reme-
dies, and hence a knowledge of the usual antidotes is requisite,
in order that they may be employed with effect.
For the majority of such cases the chief reliance must be upon
emetics, so that free vomiting may be induced by such articles of
this class which are most speedy in their effect. Sulphate of
zinc is preferable to many, and, if vomiting is present, it may be
aided by diluents or a vegetable emetic. When the poisonous
substance has remained for any length of time in the stomach,
the use of emetics will not prove sufficient, but resort must be
had to the stomach-tube and syringe. Milk, lime water, soap,
or solutions of sugar or honey will protect the stomach and in-
testines, while oil and other fatty matters may prove injurious.
Carbonate of magnesia with tincture of opium, suspended in
water, freely administered, will prove very serviceable after the
vomiting has ceased, and the patient is suffering from retching
and pain.
When the nature of the poison is unknown, a general antidote,
consisting of equal parts of calcined magnesia, pulverized char-
coal, and hydrated peroxide of iron, which are to be diffused in
water, may be freely administered, and will, in the majority of
cases, prove efficient, as one or another of them is an antidote to
most of the mineral poisons.
The albumen of eggs and tannic acid are also considered to be
valuable antidotes. The albumen neutralizes corrosive sublimate
and like salts, and the tannic acid precipitates all of the vegetable
alkaloids as tannates.
ACIDS {Mineral).
Symptoms.—Corrosion of parts with which the acid comes in
contact, with an immediate burning pain in the mouth, throat,
assophagus and stomach ; vomiting of liquid impregnated with
mucus and blood. Death occurs from inflammation or from
asphyxia.
Antidotes.—Chalk; magnesia; solution of carbonate of soda;