First Aid Rule.—Give two teaspoonfuls of chalk (or whiting, or whitewash scraped from the wall or a fence) mixed with a wineglass of water. Beat four eggs in a glass of milk, add a tablespoonful of whisky, and give at once.
Meanwhile, turn to p. [186], and be prepared to follow Rule 2 under Suffocation, in case artificial respiration may be necessary, in spite of the stimulant and antidotes. After having taken the first steps, try to ascertain the exact poison used, but waste no time at the start. If you can find out just what poison was swallowed, give the treatment advised under that poison, excepting what you may already have given.
ACIDS.—Symptoms: Corrosion or bleeding of the parts with which they come in contact, followed by intense pain, and then prostration from shock. Nitric acid stains face yellow; sulphuric blackens; carbolic whitens the mucous membrane, and also causes nausea and stupor.
Treatment.—Carbolic: Give a tablespoonful of alcohol or wineglass of whisky or brandy at once; or one tablespoonful of castor oil, also a half pint of sweet oil, also a pint of milk. Put to bed, and apply hot-water bottles.
Nitric and Oxalic: Chalk, lime off walls, whitewash scraped off fence or wall, one teaspoonful mixed with a quarter of a glass of water. Give one tablespoonful castor oil, and half a pint of sweet oil. Inject into the rectum one tablespoonful of whisky in two of water.
Sulphuric: Soapsuds, half a glass; a pint of milk.
Other Acids: Limewater, or two teaspoonfuls of aromatic spirit of ammonia diluted with a glass of water. One tablespoonful of castor oil.
ALKALIES.—Symptoms: Burning and destruction of the mucous membrane of mouth, severe pain, vomiting and purging of bloody matter, rapid death by shock.
Ammonia; Potash; Lye; Caustic Soda; Washing Soda: Give half a glass of vinegar mixed with half a glass of water; also juice of four lemons in two glasses of water. One teaspoonful of castor oil in half a glass of olive oil. If prostrated, give tablespoonful of whisky in a quarter of a glass of hot water.
METALS.—Symptoms: Great irritation, cramps and purging, suppression of urine, delirium or stupor, collapse, and generally death.