5.- Antimony.
Poisoning with Antimony is uncommon, but it does sometimes occur on the employment of Tartar Emetic; or from antimonial wine being accidentally swallowed. In consequence of the largest doses of Antimony being powerful emetics, the poison in this from is generally rejected, and little harm follows; it is the chronic form of poisoning, in which the metal is continually taken in small doses, that is most to be feared; and this insidious plan has sometimes been adopted by slow poisoners, to produce symptoms analogous to those of internal visceral disease, so that, when they finally destroy their victims, less suspicion may arise. Suspicion should therefore be always entertained when a patient is, without evident cause, constantly sick on receiving his food or medicine, through the instrumentality of the particular individual.
SYMPTOMS.- From moderate doses, a strong metallic taste in the mouth; great heat and condition of the throat, violent burning pains in the stomach; followed by violent vomiting, purging, and extreme depression of the circulation. The most marked symptoms from the full action of the poison are.- nausea, sickness, and great depression.
TREATMENT.- Large draughts of water, and tickling the throat to induce vomiting; at the same time a decoction of cinchona, oak- bark, tannin, or even strong tea should be prepared and diligently administered. Magnesia dissolved in milk is a good remedy.
CHLORIDE OF ANTIMONY.- Taylor relates four cases of poisoning by this substance (popularly called Butter of Antimony); there of the persons recovered. In the fatal case the whole of the inside of the inside of the alimentary canal was blackened as if it had been charred; two or three ounces had been taken, and death occurred in ten hours and a half.
TREATMENT.- Magnesia must be given, followed buy the means recommended in poisoning by Tartar Emetic.
6.- Zinc, Chloride of (Brunett’s Disinfecting Fluid).
This popular disinfectant may be taken inadvertently with disastrous results.
SYMPTOMS.- Countenance anxious and depressed; voice feeble; throat sore and inflamed; feeling of faintness; tenderness on pressure and burning pain of the epigastrium and under the left ribs; vomiting; bowels inactive. Mucous membrane of the soft palate covered with a diphtheritic film, or yellow slough; vomit of black fluid, with mucus and shreds of tissue; stool very infrequent, black, pitchy. Occasional tetanic spasm in the right forearm and hand. Gums spongy and bleeding; vomit of brownish fluid with a flocculent sediment, but without bile; urine turbid, with lithates, sp. gr. 1025-1030. Temperature 100.6 slowly falling to 96.4
The patient sinks from corrosive action of the poison and from inanition caused by the secondary effects of the poison on the fauces, oesophagus, and stomach. One ounce, containing 200 grs. of the salt, has been known to cause rapid death; but recovery was taken place after swallowing 600 grains.
TREATMENT.- Mixture of eggs and milk freely administered, and continued so long as it is vomited in a curdled state. Copious and long-continued supplies of albuminous substances. Soapsuds given freely have proved curative. Nothing can be better than the carbonates of potash and soda, if given early. Copious draughts of warm water dilute the fluid and promote vomiting. As a very short contact with the mucous membrane is sufficient to corrode it, and convert it into a substance like leather, prompt measures are essential.
7.- Nitre-Nitrate of Potash (Saltpetre).
This drug, commonly employed for domestic purposes, has been administered by mistake in food, and has sometimes proved fatal in its effects.
SYMPTOMS.- Burning pain at the epigastrium, vomiting, increased flow of urine, from irritation, or, in large doses, even inflammation of the kidneys; and great depression, even unconsciousness, convulsions, coma.
TREATMENT.- Emetics, and the stomach-pump, should be employed, and demulcent drinks given.
8.- Ammonia (Hartshorn).
Poisoning by “Hartshorn and oil” is by no means uncommon, especially among children.
SYMPTOMS.- Intense sensation of burning in the throat, gullet, and stomach; when vomiting occurs the ejecta are mixed with blood of a dark-brown colour; sense of suffocation.
TREATMENT.- Vinegar, lemon-juice, or orange-juice should be promptly given, olive oil, followed by demulcents.
If ammoniacal vapour has been accidentally inhaled, Acetic or Hydrochloric Acid should be immediately inspired.
9.- Aniline.
A coal-tar product. Used in dyeing.
SYMPTOMS.- Nausea, giddiness, vomiting, sweating, collapse.
TREATMENT.- Fresh air, stimulants, artificial respiration, inhalation of oxygen, bleeding and transfusion.
10.- Antipyrine (Phenazone).
SYMPTOMS.- Epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, vertigo, syncope.
TREATMENT.- Recumbent position, stimulants, inhalation of oxygen.
11.- Phosphorus.
Vermin poison is often a compound of Phosphorus and common grease, and may be taken accidentally or by design.
The fumes of Phosphorus sometimes cause, in lucifermatch makers, necrosis of bone, especially of the lower jaw. The death of a child is reported from playing with matches and sucking off the dipped ends. On no account, therefore, should children be allowed to play with lucifer matches.
SYMPTOMS.- Phosphorus is an irritant poison, speedily producing intense thirst, nausea, burning pain in the throat and stomach, and vomiting; the matters ejected have a garlicky smell, and when thrown up in the dark are luminous. The pain spreads over the body, and, after much suffering, the person usually dies within a few days. On post-mortem examination, the liver is found in a state of fatty degeneration.
TREATMENT.- A speedy emetic, preferably of sulphate of copper, and directly afterwards a purgative (not oil), and then turpentine. Conceivably Chloroform in potency or Crot. might counteract the remote effects of Phosphorus on the liver cells. Neither for Phosphorus nor for Cantharides should oils be given, as both are soluble in oils; although, as a rule, olive oil is one of the blandest of fluids that can be taken in cases of irritation of the bowels, and is also slightly laxative.
12.- Acids.
The chief of the strong mineral acids are the Sulphuric (oil of vitriol), the Nitric (aqua fortis), and the Hydrochloric of Muriatic (spirit of salt).
SYMPTOMS.- When attempted to be swallowed, the strong acids are usually ejected spasmodically from the pharynx, just as boiling water is; but they may still be quickly fatal from asphyxia, caused by swelling of the larynx from effusion under the mucous membrane; or the patient may die, after weeks or months, from stricture of the upper part of the oesophagus, caused by the scarring of the burns and subsequent contraction. If the acids reach the stomach they will produce horrible pain, vomiting of dark altered blood, shred of tough mucus, and foetid eructations. They are corrosive poisons, decomposing the tissues, causing rapid, small pulse, and such decomposing the tissues, causing rapid, small pulse, an such great depression that the patient sinks and dies. They have, also, a remote specific poison effect it taken persistently in moderate doses; but with large doses the symptoms and fatal effect are consequent on local injury.
If Nitric acid have been taken there will be yellowish stains on the lips; if Sulphuric, brownish, and the teeth will be blackened; and in any case there will be a white, shrivelled, and detached state of the epithelium of the mouth and fauces. Where the acid has fallen on the clothes, brown stains are produced by Sulphuric and Nitric acids, bright-red by Hydrochloric acid; on black cloth red stains are produced by all.
TREATMENT.- Slaked lime, chalk, or Magnesia: or in default of these, the plaster of the apparent may be scraped down and made into a thin creamy paste with water, milk, oil, white of egg, or any demulcent. Afterwards bland mucilaginous and oily fluids should be given.
13.- Oxalic Acid (Acidium Oxalicum).
This is a common rapid poison, often mistaken for Epsom salts and Zinci Sulph; but it may be useful to know that the three are readily distinguished by their taste-a crystal or two, a drop or two of the solution being placed on the tongue; for Sulphate of Magnesia is bitter, Sulphate of Zinc is styptic, and Oxalic Acid is sour and nauseous. It is used as a cleanser and bleacher, to remove iron-mould, etc., and is far too readily sold in the shops to any purchaser. As a poison it is usually taken, like Epsom salts, in large doses-z3ss or more, partially dissolved in water.
SYMPTOMS.- Excessive irritation, burning pain, and, generally, violent vomiting, of dark-green matter and blood; feebleness or total failure of the pulse; cold, clammy skin; partial paralysis, numbed finger tips; great anxiety, and occasionally convulsions, the patient dying sometimes in half an hour, and generally within seven or eight hours, suffering dreadfully all the time. It has also a remote specific poisonous effect.
TREATMENT.- Although a rapid and deadly poison, many persons recover on account of the largeness of the dose, which leads of to a speedy and copious vomiting, so that much to it is ejected. The antidotes, too, is well known, readily available, and effectual. It is Carbonate of Line in any form in which it can be obtained-creta preparata, plaster scraped from the ceiling, or common whiting, mixed with a small quantity of water into a creamy paste. It should be observed that the limit to the quantity of water is important, and applies to nearly all poisons, for too much diluent drink tends to dissolve a poison, to spread it over the stomach, and to promote its absorption. In the absence of Carbonate of Lime; Magnesia might be used, but not the alkalies-Potash of Soda-which would only form soluble salts, that would enter the circulation and prove poisonous. After the antidote, bland mucilaginous fluids may be given.
LICENTIATE OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS; MEMBER OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS; LICENTIATE IN MIDWIFERY, LONDON AND EDINBURGH, ETC. PHYSICIAN TO THE READING AND BERKSHIRE HOMOEOPATHIC DISPENSARY.
Author of "The Stepping Stone to Homeopathy and Health,"
"Manual of Homoeopathic Treatment". Editor of "The Homoeopathic World."