Symptoms

Burning pain in the mouth, oesophagus and stomach, usually followed at once by vomiting and collapse.

If death, usually within twenty-four hours from asphyxia, syncope, or perforation of the stomach.

Chemical Antidotes

Lime water, magnesia ad libitum.

Treatment

Keep up the body temperature with dry heat applications. Use morphine hypodermatically for the pain. Counteract the depression with strychnine hypodermatically. 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 hypodermatically. If stimulation must be kept up use a saturated solution of camphor in olive oil, one c. c, intramuscularly pre re nata until such time as strychnine may be repeated with safety. Allay the thirst and soothe the mucous membranes by the unrestricted use of any demulcent liquid that may be desired. Milk, albumin water and starch water are suitable.

Contra-Indicated

Stomach tube, emetics, chalk, and the alkaline carbonates.

Sequelae

Gastritis, stricture of the oesophagus and stomach.