Poison is something that counteracts vital force, or perverts it to such an extent from its normal condition that either death or great injury is the result. It is more often taken by mistake than with criminal intent, and when taken either way, great alarm, fear, fright and general consternation ensues, dear friends, mother, brother, father, sister, aunt, uncle, cousin, husband or wife, or whoever they may be, will, upon ascertaining the fact, wring their hands and cry unto the Lord, "What shall we do to be saved." Whoever has witnessed such a scene knows what I say to be a fact. Well now, I do not wish to confuse you with many large words in telling you what you can't do, and in telling you what a doctor that knows, can do, but I will tell you in plain words that which you can do, and of the means or articles that are in the immediate reach of every body. The great common antidotes or remedies are simply raw eggs, melted lard, milk, magnesia, olive oil, castor oil, linseed oil, followed quick with an active emetic of a mechanical character, such as mustard, hot salt water, or ipecac, followed in three minutes by running a feather down the throat, which is certain to cause vomiting if life is not too far gone. I once was called to a man who had been given too much morphine, and he was unconscious and knew nobody. They had tried every thing to restore him to a conscious state, and different emetics to vomit him, but his vital forces were so completely suspended that his stomach would not absorb. I immediately got a feather from the wing of a chicken and rammed it down his throat. He immediately vomited a gorge of mucus and the contents in general of his stomach. We then slapped his face with towels dipped in cold water, and in two hours he knew every body about him, and could talk sensibly about his business affairs.

Whenever a person is poisoned and you do not know what with, give them raw eggs, lard, or oil, and follow it with a quick emetic, such as hot salt water and mustard, and putting the feather down the throat, and send for a good doctor. Whenever a person is poisoned with a poison that produces sleep or stupor, always throw cold water in the face and shake them lively, force them to walk about, or roll them about as though they were void of feeling, for they are to great extent. Speak in a loud tone of voice to them, and get them angry if you can. Anger is a powerful stimulant, and as soon as a narcotized patient manifests a disposition to get angry, you may rest assured that he is getting well.