First Aid For Common Poisons

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.