Strammonium, CAMPHOR, CHLORAL, DIGITALIS, BITTER-SWEET and HYOSCYAMUS may be called narcotic poisons. Give prompt emetics, demulcents, witch hazel, active purgatives, strong coffee; keep the patient roused, use electro-magnetism, cold douche, and employ friction.
For PHOSPHORUS, which a child sometimes obtains from the ends of matches, give emetics, and administer big doses of magnesia in water and mucilage. There are a few other poisons which might be classed as irritant, such as nitrate potash (salt petre) which need the same class of remedies as those already named. For nitre give also stimulants freely.
Opium and BELLADONNA are antidotes to each other, and if a person has taken an overdose of one, the other should be given if it is at hand. Evacuate the stomach perhaps by tickling the fauces; give also strong coffee, active stimulants, witch hazel; employ friction, perhaps electro magnetism, and keep the patient moving. Morphine of course demands the same.
For NUX VOMICA and STRYCHNINE, besides giving an emetic give aromatic spirits ammonia, and also chloroform internally in ½ drachm doses diluted. Give tannin and also animal charcoal, milk and spirits camphor in large doses.
Carbonate and ACETATE of LEAD sometimes act as poisons. Give sulphate of zinc as an emetic, and epsom or glauber salts as a cathartic. A mixture of syrup and persulphuret of iron may be given as an antidote to any mineral poison.
Hydrocyanic or PRUSSIC ACID, LAUREL WATER, and CYANIDE OF POTASH cause immediately extreme prostration, nausea, giddiness, pale countenance, slow breathing, and paralysis. Dash cold water on the face to produce a shock, taking care not to soak the clothes of the patient; we may produce a more decided effect if we alternate cold and hot effusions. Have the patient inhale steam containing liquor ammonia or hartshorn; give internally aromatic ammonia and chloroform; use friction, especially along the spine and feet; artificial respiration may be necessary. Give chlorine water of the strength of two drachms to the ounce.
Animal Poisons. For BITES OF SERPENTS apply a ligature above the wounded part; use carbolic acid or any active caustic; apply cupping glass (or mouth, when there is no sore in the mouth). Bisulphite of soda in large doses is said to be an antidote. Give stimulants in large quantities.
Mad Dog Bites. A person having been bitten by a mad dog, or one suspected of rabies, the wound must first be made to bleed, then washed, and finally cauterized. Enlarge the wound so that the blood may flow out freely; press out still more blood, and you may safely suck out some if you do not have any sore on your mouth or lips. After tying a bandage above the wound it must be washed until cauterization can be effected. This can be made either with Vienna paste, butter of antimony, chloride of zinc, or a red hot iron. If the dog can be secured and shut up it is better than that he should be immediately killed. If the dog does not prove to be mad, the person bitten should know the fact, as this may prevent the alarming fears that of themselves sometimes prove disastrous. The bitten person should have his mind diverted as much as possible.
Carbonic Acid Gas. A person having been poisoned by inhaling choke damp or the fumes of burning charcoal, loosen the clothing, dash cold water on the head and face, give plenty of fresh air, stimulants, and inhalations of ammonia. Employ artificial respiration if necessary. If the body is cold employ hot applications.