Symptoms

Metallic taste, thirst, colicky pains relieved by pressure, vomiting, cramps in the legs. Pulse hard and rapid, face livid, vertigo, stupor, twitching, convulsions, coma.

If death, in a few hours to several days.

Chemical Antidote

Dilute hydrochloric acid, five c. c. diluted, magnesium sulphate 30 gms., or sodium sulphate 30 gms.

Treatment

Wash out the stomach with warm water or remove its contents by emetics (apomorphine hydrochloride gr. 1-10 hypodermatically, zinc sulphate two grams, or a tablespoonful of mustard to a wineglass of water), repeated in fifteen minutes, if necessary. Keep up the body temperature with dry heat applications. Use morphine and atropine hypodermatically for the pain and vomiting. 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.

Sequela

Multiple neuritis.