First Aid For Common Poisons

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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.