Oxalic acid is kept in the house to take out stains, particularly of ink; carbolic acid and corrosive sublimate for disinfecting; laudanum for toothache.
They should all be plainly marked for the protection of adults, and should be placed absolutely beyond the reach of baby hands.
If, however, a child does swallow any of these, use the following antidotes:
Carbolic acid: If taken internally, give epsom salts in large doses, soap; but no sweet-oil or castor-oil. For external burns apply alcohol.
Oxalic acid: Give an emetic, such as tepid mustard water, followed by a dose of chalk or whiting or vinegar. Follow this with soothing drinks, like warm milk. Never give potash or soda in any form.
Ammonia: Children have been known to drink ammonia with fatal results. Give vinegar or lemon juice, immediately followed by warm milk or sweet-oil.
Rough-on-Rats or Paris Green: Give an emetic of mustard water, chloride of iron, or magnesia, or baking soda, or water of ammonia. Follow this with white of egg, sweet-oil, or milk. Later give castor-oil to keep the bowels open.
Corrosive sublimate: Administer emetic of mustard water, followed by white of egg or milk. Castor-oil to open the bowels. Try first the emetic of mustard water. If it does not work send to the nearest druggist for permanganate of potash, diluted. Give a dose of four or five grains with strong coffee.
Matches: Give the emetic; and then permanganate of potash, diluted, four or five grains; following this with epsom salts or magnesia to open the bowels. Never give milk, sweet-oil, castor-oil to a child who has eaten matches.
In order to meet these various emergencies, the mother should have the following supplies in or near the nursery: