As regards the treatment, it is only necessary to administer draughts containing magnesia or its carbonate, followed by mucilaginous or demulcent drinks.
Tartaric Acid, though not a corrosive, may be here placed along with the other vegetable acids. Strange as it may seem, tartaric acid has destroyed life in at least one instance in this country; an ounce having been given in mistake for an aperient salt. The deceased swallowed the whole at once, and immediately called out that he had been poisoned. He complained of intense pain in the throat and stomach, as if he had swallowed oil of vitriol, or was on fire. Soda and magnesia were administered without avail; and after death, at the end of nine days’ suffering, the stomach and intestines were found much inflamed.
[CHAPTER VIII.]
THE CAUSTIC ALKALIES AND THEIR CARBONATES; POTASH, SODA, AMMONIA.
The second division of the class of Corrosives has now to be considered. It contains the Caustic Alkalies, and some of their Salts. Poisoning by any of these agents is rare.
Potash.—This substance, in its caustic state, as found in commerce, is in the form of grey-colored cakes. It has an acrid taste, is soapy to the touch, and very deliquescent. Moulded in cylinders, it is often employed as a caustic (Potassa fusa). In solution (Liquor potassæ) it is strongly alkaline, and imparts a brown stain to black cloth.
Potassium carbonate or Carbonate of Potash (Pearlash) is extensively used by laundresses and in the dressing of woollen cloth. It is generally sold in a granular condition, white, inodorous, and strongly alkaline; it is soluble in water, but not in alcohol.
Caustic Soda.—This agent resembles potash in its general properties. The Sodium Carbonate or Carbonate of Soda (Soap-lees) bears a similar resemblance to the carbonate of potash, except that it crystallizes easily, and effloresces on exposure to the air.
Ammonia.—When pure, ammonia is a colorless, pungent gas; but it is commonly met with dissolved in water, as the liquor ammoniæ. Its vapor is poisonous, and may prove fatal by producing inflammation of the larynx and trachea, and even of the lungs. A case is recorded of a French boy, æt. six, who killed his younger sister by making her swallow several teaspoonfuls of a solution of ammonia. Other instances have also occurred where the liquor ammoniæ has either been taken in mistake for the aromatic spirit of ammoniæ, or purposely, to destroy life. An instance is recorded by Dr. Taylor, as occurring in the practice of Mr. Hilton, where liquor ammoniæ, given by mistake, caused corrosion of the throat and gullet and obstruction of the bronchial tubes by false membrane. The œsophagus was completely dissolved at its junction with the stomach, and there was an aperture in the anterior wall of that organ such as might have been caused by oil of vitriol.