Volume 3

Twentieth century practice : an international encyclopedia of modern medical science / by leading authorities of Europe and America ; edited by Thomas L. Stedman.

Date:
1895-1903
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Twentieth century practice : an international encyclopedia of modern medical science / by leading authorities of Europe and America ; edited by Thomas L. Stedman. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    and enemata of brandy were given. For a time he complained of severe pain in the hand, then in the eyes, head, and feet. There were also epileptiform convulsions, four during the first hour. In four or five hours the man was easier and improving, but restlessness, vomiting, weakness, and local pain continued for eight or ten days. When last seen, twelve days after the poisoning, there was still ten- derness {Montreal Iledical Journal, August, 1890). The treatment consists in evacuating the stomach, if vomiting has not taken place. Water should not be given unless vomiting is tak- ing place, as it only dissolves the acid and hastens its absorption. The one antidote is solution of lime which combines with the acid to form an insoluble oxalate. The saccharated solution of lime is to be preferred, or a simple mixture of lime and water. Magnesia also forms an insoluble oxalate, but the carbonates of sodium and potassium are not to be used, as they form soluble oxalates, which are almost as poisonous as the pure acid. Einger has advocated the employment of the chloride of lime, in order to have it absorbed and act upon the poison that it may meet with in the blood. It has been customary to advise the immediate use of scrapings from wall plaster as a ready source of the antidote. After the stomach has been cleaned, water and diuretics may be useful in jjromoting the elimination of the poison. Opium for the pain, and stimulants should be given, as indicated. The post-mortem appearances do not furnish any evidence, unless a concentrated solution of the acid has been taken. If the strength is less than one part in twenty there is little if any corrosive action. In some cases the mucous membrane may be greatly congested and the epithelium softened and pulpy, but the effects are not characteristic and may easily be mistaken for post-mortem maceration. The acid or its salts may be detected after death in the contents of the stom- ach and intestines, blood, liver, kidneys, and urine. The microscope will also detect its presence by the characteristic oxalates. ALKALIES. Fotassa and Soda. Potassa and soda have powerful escharotic properties and greatly resemble the corrosive acids in the effects they produce when brought in contact with the tissues. Soda is somewhat weaker in its action than potassa, but both have a great affinity for water and are very deliquescent. The potash salt forms a much more fluid com])ouud and in consequence its cauterant action penetrates deeper and more extensively. When swallowed they attack all the tissues, combining