When a poison has been taken by the mouth the stomach should be emptied immediately by means of the stomach tube or emetics, except where there is severe corrosion and perforation of the stomach is feared. A prompt and certain emetic is apomorphine, which has the advantage of acting when given hypodermically. Domestic resources are usually limited to giving large draughts of mustard and warm water, warm milk in large quantities, oils. butter. and lard, common salt solution. soapsuds, and these often act with great promptness. Ipecac in the form of the syrup is found in most households and may be given in doses of one or two tablespoon fuls to adults or as many teaspoonfuls to chil dren. It is a safe and unirritating emetic, but is too slow for emergencies. Other useful emetics are copper sulphate, zinc sulphate, turpeth min eral, and alum. In poisoning it is better to use almost any emetic at once than to lose valuable time getting just the right one. When poisoning is due to irritants after evacuation of the stomach, bland and viscid fluids should be given to protect the walls of the alimentary tract and allay in flammation. These agents are called demulcents, and include flaxseed tea, white of egg. milk,
barley water, and the like. Where the poison has gained entrance by inoculation, as in the case of dog-bites or the stings of reptiles, the part should be washed, sucked, and a ligature applied about the extremity above the wound, i.e. between it and the heart. The wound should then be thoroughly cauterized.
The stomach having been emptied, the next step is to administer the proper antidote or physiological antagonist. (See ANTIDOTES.) In general it is to be remembered that alkalies coun teract acids and rice versa, since they tend to form harmless salts. Poisoning by the irritant metallic salts is best treated with albumen, in the form of white of egg, an inert, insoluble albuminate being formed. The antidote for the vegetable alkaloids is tannin, most conveniently given in the form of strong green tea. Chemical antidotes act only on such portions of the poison as have not been absorbed by the stomach and must be given promptly to be of any use.
Physiological antidotes or antagonists follow the poison into the circulation and combat its effects as long as it remains in the body.