ANTIDOTE (Gk. civrlaoros, antidolos, given against, from hurl, anti, against + FLF6paL, dido nai, to give). A term applied in medicine to any substance capable of neutralizing the action of a poison, or, in general, of any other substance.
The action of antidotes may be due either to their chemical properties, or to their having physiological effects that are the opposite of those which they are intended to counteract. As an example of chemical antidotes it may be mentioned that acids antidote alkalies. As an example of physiological "antagonism" may be mentioned the case of morphine and atropine. In cases of poisoning in which no true antidote is known, the treatment resorted to is necessarily of a mechanical nature. Such cases, it must he observed, are in the majority; so that the stom ach pump, emetics, and purgatives, play an im portant ride in the treatment of most cases of poisoning. The following is a list of ordinary poisons, with their antidotes and other factors employed in counteracting them.
Paris Green.—A tablespoonful of "dialyzed iron" (sold in all drug stores) should be given to the patient every half hour for four doses. This should be followed by a dose of castor oil.
Phosphorus, Matches, "Rough- on - Rats."— Emetics, a large amount of mucilage of gum arabie, and a purgative dose of Epsom salts, should be administered. Oils or fats should be avoided.
Caustic Potash (Lye), Washing Soda, or Ant monia.—The action of these may be counteracted by diluted lemon juice, or by a mixture of two parts of vinegar with one of water. The acid should be followed by large amounts of sweet oil.
Oxalic deid.—Give the patient water contain ing such alkaline substances as chalk, whiting, or whitewash scraped from the wall. Then give a dose of castor oil or of Epsom salts.
Carbolic Acid.—A good chemical antidote for this is Epsom salts (magnesium sulphate), or any other soluble sulphate; for, on entering the blood, these form with carbolic acid harmless chemical compounds. Give the patient also large amounts of sweet oil, white of egg, and stimu lants.
Carbonic Acid Gas, Carbonic Oxide, Coal Gas. —Fresh air should be supplied; artificial res piration should be employed, thirty drops of aromatic spirits of ammonia should be given every half hour for three doses, and then one ounce of well diluted whisky every three hours, for three doses.
Nicotinc.—The patient should lie placed flat on the back and emetics, tea, and stimulants should be administered. A hypodermic injection of one-fortieth of a grain of nitrate of strychnine has a very good effect.
Alcohol.—The stomach pump may be used early by the attending physician. Thirty grains of powdered ipecac should be given to the patient as an emetic, then thirty drops of aromatic spir its of ammonia every half hour until the pulse has become full and rapid. Then cold should lie applied to the head and heat to the extremities.
Chloral, "Knock-out-drops."—Thirty grains of ipecac in water should be given to the patient as an emetic, and a hypodermic injection of one twentieth of a grain of strychnine. .Friction of the surface, application of warmth, and artificial respiration are effective.
(orrosirc Sublimate (Biehloride of Mercury), Bed Bug Poison, 1-Vhite Precipitatc.—Thirty grains of powdered ipecac in warm water should be given to the patient as an emetic, then the whites of a dozen eggs, and a hypodermic injec tion of morphine.
Sulfonal.—The stomach pump and artificial respiration should be employed, and plenty of hot coffee should be given to the patient.
Opium, Morphine.—An emetic or the stomach pump should be employed first of all; then the patient should be made to inhale ammonia and half a grain of permanganate of potash should be given every hour. Artificial respiration should be employed, two ounces of hot black cof fee should be injected into the rectum, and treat ment should be employed with a view to keeping the patient awake—which may lie effected by shaking, walking, flagellation of the calves, etc. A subcutaneous injection of atropine, or thirty drops of tincture of belladonna repeatedly given by the mouth, will have a powerfully counter acting effect by stimulating the respiratory cen tre.
Strychnine.—The stomach pump should be em ployed as early as possible, and twenty grains of sine sulphate should be given. er thirty grains of powdered ipecac, in warm water, as an emetic. Then twenty grains of chloral and thirty grains of bromide of sodium. dissolved together in two ounces of hot water, should he injected into the rectum. In case convulsions occur, anaesthesia, may be produced by the use of chloroform. Chloral, which is in a sense antagonistic to strychnine, is considered a valuable antidote. In any case, twenty grains of sodium bromide should be given by the mouth every hour.
Cocainc.—The patient should be placed flat on the back, and whisky and hypodermic injec tions of strychnine—one-fortieth of a grain each —should be given.
Phcnacctin.—Whisky and digitalis should be given.
Turpentine.—An emetic, mucilage of gum ara ble, Epsom salts, and a hypodermic injection of morphine, should be given to the patient.
Tansy.—Thirty grains of powdered ipecac in warm water as an emetic, and a dose of castor oil, should be given to the patient.
In the case of unknown poisons, it is advisable to give two teaspoonfuls of chalk mixed with water, four eggs beaten up with a glass of milk, and some whisky. The stomach pump, too, may be useful, and in case these measures give no relief, artificial respiration should be employed. Of course, the physician should endeavor to as certain the nature of the poilun and direct the treatment accordingly. See POISON.