Poison is any substances
which when introduced into the body in sufficient amount or applied externally
injures and causes damage to the tissues at the same time destroy life as a
result of its chemical action.
which when introduced into the body in sufficient amount or applied externally
injures and causes damage to the tissues at the same time destroy life as a
result of its chemical action.
Poison could be accidental,
suicidal and homicidal.
suicidal and homicidal.
Poisons are classified
under three headings:
under three headings:
(1) Irritant (2) Narcotic
(3) Corrosive
(3) Corrosive
Irritant Poison
Irritant poison may be
caused by:
caused by:
a.) Contaminated food e.g. tin
fish, meat and other made up food.
fish, meat and other made up food.
b.) Poisonous berries e.g. toad
stool which may be mistaken for mushroom
stool which may be mistaken for mushroom
c.) Chemical substance,
phosphorous, mercury, iodine, CO2
phosphorous, mercury, iodine, CO2
Signs and Symptoms
Nausea, vomiting, acute
abdominal pain, diarrhoea, fainting, shock, frustration, unconsciousness.
abdominal pain, diarrhoea, fainting, shock, frustration, unconsciousness.
First Aid Treatment
i.
Give emetic (ipecac syrup, copper sulphate or
warm salt water) as quickly as possible.
Give emetic (ipecac syrup, copper sulphate or
warm salt water) as quickly as possible.
ii.
Give demulcents (pectin, glycerine or honey) and
aperients (banana, aloe vera or pear).
Give demulcents (pectin, glycerine or honey) and
aperients (banana, aloe vera or pear).
iii.
Perform artificial respiration if cessation
occurs.
Perform artificial respiration if cessation
occurs.
Corrosive Poison
a.) This is caused by corrosive acid e.g.
sulphuric acid, hydrochloric acid, etc.
sulphuric acid, hydrochloric acid, etc.
b.) Corrosive alkaline e.g.
caustic soda, caustic potash, ammonia etc.
caustic soda, caustic potash, ammonia etc.
Signs and Symptom
(1) Severe burning sensation
in the mouth and lip (2) Difficulty in breathing and talking (3) Severe pain in
the mouth, chest, throat and abdomen
(4) Nausea and vomiting may occur (5) Severe shock.
in the mouth and lip (2) Difficulty in breathing and talking (3) Severe pain in
the mouth, chest, throat and abdomen
(4) Nausea and vomiting may occur (5) Severe shock.
First Aid Treatment
(1)Neutralize acid or
alkaline as appropriate (2) Give demulcent to suit the damage mucous (3) If it
is not known whether the poison is acid or alkaline, give plenty of water to
drink (4) Treat for shock (5) Transfer to the hospital. Carry along anything
that you have seen around the person.
alkaline as appropriate (2) Give demulcent to suit the damage mucous (3) If it
is not known whether the poison is acid or alkaline, give plenty of water to
drink (4) Treat for shock (5) Transfer to the hospital. Carry along anything
that you have seen around the person.
Narcotic Poisoning
It is caused by excessive intake
of hard drug such as opium, cocaine, morphine, etc.
of hard drug such as opium, cocaine, morphine, etc.
Signs and Symptoms of Narcotic Poisoning
(1)Drowsiness (2) Slow
respiration (3) Low feeble pulse rate (4) Dilated pupil (5) Confusion and
convulsion (6) Coma and finally death.
respiration (3) Low feeble pulse rate (4) Dilated pupil (5) Confusion and
convulsion (6) Coma and finally death.
First Aid Treatment
(1)Stomach wash out (2) Give
emetic as quickly as possible (3) If conscious but drowsy, keep him active and make
him walk about (4) Give a stimulant after vomiting e.g. strong coffee (5) Perform
artificial respiration if cessation occurs.
emetic as quickly as possible (3) If conscious but drowsy, keep him active and make
him walk about (4) Give a stimulant after vomiting e.g. strong coffee (5) Perform
artificial respiration if cessation occurs.
General Rules for Treatment of Acute Poison
1. Take a quick note of the
surrounding. Do find out the cause if possible.
surrounding. Do find out the cause if possible.
2. Send for medical aid with a
written note stating the type of poison if identified.
written note stating the type of poison if identified.
3. Remove the poison or render
it inactive by;
it inactive by;
a.) If victim is conscious,
give a table spoon full of salt in a glass of warm water.
give a table spoon full of salt in a glass of warm water.
b.) A stomach larvey may be
given with warm water or a weak antidote. When corrosive acid or alkaline has
been swallowed, larvey should not be carried out but the poison should be
neutralized.
given with warm water or a weak antidote. When corrosive acid or alkaline has
been swallowed, larvey should not be carried out but the poison should be
neutralized.
4. Treat for shock.
5. Secure and keep safely any boxes, bottles,
tumblers, or remains of food, which might have contained the poison till they
are handed over to the medical officer.
tumblers, or remains of food, which might have contained the poison till they
are handed over to the medical officer.
6. A constant wash must be kept on the respiratory centre. Victim
may be depressed that breathing may cease.
may be depressed that breathing may cease.
7. If the poison swallowed is an irritant, give demulcent drink
e.g. milk. Egg white, olive or paraffin oil may be given.
e.g. milk. Egg white, olive or paraffin oil may be given.
