The following list gives some of the more common poisons and the remedies most likely to be on hand in case of need:—
Acids:—These cause great heat and sensation of burning pain from the mouth down to the stomach. The remedies are-: Magnesia, soda, pearl ash, or soap dissolved in water, every two minutes; then use the stomach pump, or an emetic.
Alkali:—Drink freely of water with vinegar or lemon juice in it, made very strong of the sour.
Ammonia:—Remedy is lemon juice or vinegar.
Arsenic Remedies:—Give prompt emetic of mustard and salt, a tablespoonful of each, in a coffeecup of warm water; then follow with sweet oil, butter made warm, or milk. Also may use the white of an egg in half a cupful of milk or lime water. Chalk and water is good, and the preparation of iron, ten drops in water every half hour: hydrated magnesia.
Alcohol:—First cleanse out the stomach by an emetic, then dash cold water on the head, and give ammonia (spirits of hartshorn).
Laudanum, Morphine, Opium:—First give a strong emetic of mustard and water, then very strong coffee and acid drinks; dash cold water on the head, then keep in motion.
Belladonna:—Give an emetic of mustard, salt and water; then drink plenty of vinegar and water or lemonade.
Charcoal:—In poisons, by carbonic gas, remove the patient to the open air, dash cold water on the head and body, and stimulate the nostrils and lungs with hartshorn, at the same time rubbing the chest briskly.