Symptoms

Burning pain in the oesophagus and stomach, usually vomiting, difficulty in swallowing, skin moist and cold, pulse weak and rapid, dyspnoea, convulsions, coma.

If death, in a few hours.

Chemical Antidotes

Vinegar, lemon juice, olive oil, castor oil.

Treatment

Wash out the stomach with warm water, or remove its contents by emetics (apomorphine hydro chloride gr. 1-10 hypodermatically, zinc sulphate two grains, or a tablespoonful of mustard to a wineglass of water), repeat in fifteen minutes, if necessary. Keep up the body temperature with dry heat applications. Use morphine hypodermatically for the pain, if necessary. Counteract the depression with strychnine hypodermatic-ally. Should there be insufficient response to this, give one c. c. of adrenalin or suprarenalin solution (1 to 1,000) intramuscularly and follow with atropine hypodermatic ally. If stimulation must be kept up use a saturated solution of camphor in olive oil, one c. c., intramuscularly pro re nata until such time as strychnine may be repeated with safety. Be on guard against oedema of the glottis, which may necessitate tracheotomy. Allay the thirst and soothe the mucous membranes by the unrestricted use of any demulcent liquid that may be desired. Milk, albumir water and starch water are suitable.

Contra-Indicated

If there is probability of erosion of the stomach by reason of the poison taken having greal concentration, the stomach tube should not be used.

Sequelae

Gastritis, stricture of the oesophagus and stomach.