Part 12

=Ptomain Poisoning.=—Empty the stomach by means of the stomach-pump or by an emetic. Apply a hot-water bag to the abdomen. Give opium or morphin to allay the pain and check diarrhea. Give a large dose of castor oil.

=Rat Poison.=—This usually contains arsenic or phosphorus (q. v.).

=Silver Nitrate.=—Solution of common salt as antidote; emetic; demulcent drinks. Silver nitrate stains on the skin may be whitened and their removal much expedited by the application of a solution made according to the following formula:

Mercury bichlorid, gr. v; Ammonium chlorid, gr. v; Aqua, ʒij.

=Stramonium.=—Same as Belladonna.

=Strychnin.=—Absolute quiet; if convulsions have begun, do not use stomach-pump unless the patient first be etherized; tannic acid as antidote; inhalations of chloroform or amyl nitrite for convulsions; potassium bromid (ʒj) and chloral (gr. xxx) by mouth or rectum.

=Tobacco.=—Emetic; external heat; stimulants.

ANTIDOTES.

1. =Albumen, Egg-white.=—Dissolve 4 egg-whites in 1 quart of warm water.

2. =Milk, Fatty Oils, Mucilaginous Substances.=—Substitutes for albumen.

3. =Castile Soap.=—Dissolve in plenty of water; substitute for albumen.

4. =Tannic Acid, Coffee, Tea.=—To precipitate various alkaloids.

5. =Vinegar, Diluted Mineral Acids.=—To neutralize alkalies and alkaline salts.

6. =Emetics.=—(1) Zinc sulphate, grs. v-xv, repeated twice if necessary at fifteen-minute intervals, or until emesis is produced. (2) Mustard, ʒj-iv, stirred to a cream with warm water. (3) Ipecac, gr. xv; repeat if necessary in fifteen minutes. (4) Tartar emetic, gr. ½, in sweetened water for children.

Note.—In all poison cases loosen clothing instantly and permit free circulation of fresh air; protect body with warm blankets; do not use pump or give emetics if acid has been taken in concentrated form; secure necessary drugs so that medication may be given at once upon direction of physician in charge.

MISCELLANEOUS FORMULÆ.

SEMMOLA’S MIXTURE.

Sodium iodid, gr. xv; Sodium phosphate, gr. xxx; Sodium chlorid, gr. cx; Aqua, ℥xxxvj.

A diuretic and laxative mixture.

NORMAL SALT SOLUTION.

Stock salt solution is kept for the purpose of making normal salt solution quickly and accurately. Use sodium chlorid (common salt) dried sufficiently to granulate.

Stock Salt Solution by Weight.

Sodium chlorid, ℥jss (47 gm.); Water, f℥viij (237 c.c.).

Boil in a closed vessel fifteen minutes. When cold make up with sterile water to f℥j-viij. Strain through sterile cotton into a sterile bottle, and keep tightly corked.

Normal salt solution should contain 90 grains of salt in 1 quart (1 L.) of water.

Normal Salt Solution.

Stock salt solution, f℥j (30 c.c.); Sterile water, Oij (1 L.).

Salt Solution.