Use stomach pump, if possible, or give thirty grains of powdered ipecac stirred in a wineglass of water. Then, when vomiting has ceased, give twenty grains of chloral, together with thirty grains of bromide of sodium in half a glass of water, at blood heat, injected into the rectum. Give twenty grains of bromide of sodium in a wineglass of water, every hour, by the mouth.
If convulsions, put chloroform before nose and mouth, as follows: pour twenty drops of chloroform on a handkerchief and hold it close to the mouth, letting air pass freely under it. Stop when patient relaxes. Resume if he becomes rigid again.
Cocaine. Symptoms: General nervousness, irritability of temper, wakefulness, followed quickly by great pallor, dilatation of the pupils, unconsciousness, and convulsions.
Give the patient two teaspoonfuls of whisky in a wineglass of water every hour. Give, if possible, a hypodermic of a thirtieth of a grain of strychnine, every two hours, or as he may require it, to keep the pulse full and strong. Use hot-water bottles to feet and legs.
Phenacetin; Acetanilid; Headache Powders: Give two teaspoonfuls of whisky in a wineglass of hot water. If the heart flags, give tincture of digitalis, five minims in tablespoonful of water, every two hours, or till three doses are given. It is better to use digitalin, one one-hundredth of a grain hypodermically, if possible.
CHAPTER VII
Food Poisoning
Food Containing Bacterial Poisons Resulting from Putrefaction; Food Infected with Disease Germs; Food Containing Parasites—Tapeworm—Trichiniasis—Potato Poisoning.
FOOD POISONING.—Much the same symptoms from all meats, fish, shellfish, milk, cheese, ice cream, and vegetables; namely, vomiting, cramps, diarrhea, headache, prostration, weak pulse, cold hands and feet, possibly an eruption.