PETROL FUMES
Petrol fumes produce toxic effects upon those who breathe them, comprising perverted taste, dysphagia, headache, giddiness, cyanosis, insensibility, mania and imbecility. Maniacal outbreaks occur during recovery. Peripheral neuritis may follow.
NAPHTHA, BENZOL
OR BENZENE
This causes poisoning when swallowed or inhaled, e.g. glove cleaning, waterproofing, &c. Death has taken place in either way.
Symptoms.—In acute poisoning there is excitement, flushing of the face, cyanosis, dilated pupils, headache, slow breathing, stupor and coma, with gastro-intestinal irritation.
Hallucinations and delirium may occur amongst workers in it; idiosyncrasy plays a part. Women may become intoxicated, excited, and hysterical. It may cause headache, vertigo, narcosis, and inability to walk, with vomiting. Small hæmorrhages may occur. Rapid coma and death may occur when the vapour is concentrated.
Treatment.—When swallowed, the stomach tube should be used and ether and strychnine given hypodermically. When overcome by vapour, removal to the open air, artificial respiration, oxygen inhalations, and restoratives are required.