Special treatment should be given when the poison is known. The quantities given here
should be reduced by half in children between two and eight years and reduced to a quarter
for infants under two years. When instructions are given to make the patient vomit, it is
assumed that he is conscious and is able to swallow.
1. Acids: Strong acids like sulphuric and hydrochloric acids are usually
found in garages, laboratories, dispensaries and in some Industrial units.
First Aid Treatment: Do not make the patient vomit. Give plenty of water
to dilute the acid. Add if possible 2 tablespoonfuls of chalk, milk of magnesia, plaster
or whitewash to a pint of water.
2. Alkalis: Strong alkalis like ammonia are available in dispensaries,
laboratories, industries and home.
First Aid Treatment: Vomiting should not be induced. Give plenty of water
to dilute the alkali. Add two tablespoons of vinegar, orange, lemon or limejuice in a pint
of water and make the patient drink.
3. Disinfectants: Carbolic acid, Lysol, cresol etc. are commonly found in
hospitals, dispensaries or home.
First Aid Treatment: Do not make the casualty vomit. Give 2 tablespoons
of Epsom salts in a pint of water and take the patient immediately to a nearby hospital
emergency.
4. Arsenic: Common sources are weed killers, rat poisons and some local
medicines.
First Aid Treatment: Make the casualty vomit and give soothing drinks.
5. Aspirin: Commonly used in every household health problems.
First Aid Treatment: Make the casualty vomit. Give water in which two
teaspoonfuls of bicarbonate of soda have been added. Give strong tea.
6. Barbiturate poisoning: A common ingredient of sleeping tablets.
First Aid Treatment: Make the casualty vomit. Give a desert spoonful of
Epsom salts in a tumbler of water. Give hot coffee and keep the patient awake.
7. Lead: Common sources are some paint, pipes and dyes.
First Aid Treatment: Make the patient vomit and give a teaspoonful of
Epsom salts in a cup of water.
8. Mercury: Commonly occurs by biting the thermometer in young children.
Other sources are calomel and corrosive sublimate.
First Aid Treatment: Give white of egg followed by milk. Then make the
casualty vomit.
9. Morphine and Opium: Commonest sources are hospitals and dispensaries.
First Aid Treatment: Make the casualty vomit. Give hot coffee and try to
keep the patient awake.
10. Petrol and Paraffin: Found in houses, garages and industry.
First Aid Treatment: Do not take the patient vomit. Give copious amounts
of water to drink.
11. Strychnine: Usually added to some vermin killers, like for stray dog
poisoning.
First Aid Treatment: Make the casualty vomit, if convulsions have not
begun. Keep very quite. Do not restrain movements. If breathing stops, give artificial
respiration.
12. Phosphorus: Found in some rat poisons.
First Aid Treatment: Make the casualty vomit. Give water in a large
amount and if possible, add a few crystals of potassium permanganate to it. Never give
oils. Call the ambulance immediately.
|