Book of Household Management — 104 - The Doctor. Chapter 43. Part 2.

2623. CONCUSSION OF BRAIN--STUNNING.

--This may be caused by a blow or a fall.

--_Symptoms_.

Cold skin; weak pulse; almost total insensibility;

slow, weak breathing; pupil of eye sometimes bigger, sometimes smaller, than natural; inability to move; unwillingness to answer when spoken to.

These symptoms come on directly after the accident.

--_Treatment_.

Place the patient quietly on a warm bed, send for a surgeon, _and do nothing else for the first four or six hours_.

After this time the skin will become hot, the pulse full, and the patient feverish altogether.

If the surgeon has not arrived by the time these symptoms have set in, shave the patient's head, and apply the following lotion (No. 2): Mix half an ounce of sal-ammoniac, two tablespoonfuls of vinegar, and the same quantity of gin or whisky, in half a pint of water.

Then give this pill (No. 1); Mix five grains of calomel and the same quantity of antimonial powder with a little bread-crumb, and make into two pills.

Give a black draught three hours after the pill, and two tablespoonfuls of the above-mentioned fever-mixture every four hours.

Keep on low diet.

Leeches are sometimes to be applied to the head.

These cases are often followed by violent inflammation of the brain.

They can, therefore, only be attended to properly throughout by a surgeon.

The great thing for people to do in these cases is--nothing; contenting themselves with putting the patient to bed, and waiting the arrival of a surgeon.

2624. THE CHOLERA AND AUTUMNAL COMPLAINTS.

--To oppose cholera, there seems no surer or better means than cleanliness, sobriety, and judicious ventilation.

Where there is dirt, that is the place for cholera; where windows and doors are kept most jealously shut, there cholera will find easiest entrance; and people who indulge in intemperate diet during the hot days of autumn are actually courting death.

To repeat it, cleanliness, sobriety, and free ventilation almost always defy the pestilence; but, in case of attack, immediate recourse should be had to a physician.

The faculty say that a large number of lives have been lost, in many seasons, solely from delay in seeking medical assistance.

They even assert that, taken early, the cholera is by no means a fatal disorder.

The copious use of salt is recommended on very excellent authority.

Other autumnal complaints there are, of which diarrhoea is the worst example.

They come on with pain, flatulence, sickness, with or without vomiting, followed by loss of appetite, general lassitude, and weakness.

If attended to at the first appearance, they may soon be conquered; for which purpose it is necessary to assist nature in throwing off the contents of the bowels, which may be one by means of the following prescription:--Take of calomel 3 grains, rhubarb 8 grains;

mix and take it in a little honey or jelly, and repeat the dose three times, at the intervals of four or five hours.

The next purpose to be answered is the defence of the lining membrane of the intestines from their acrid contents, which will be best effected by drinking copiously of linseed tea, or of a drink made by pouring boiling water on quince-seeds, which are of a very mucilaginous nature; or, what is still better, full draughts of whey.

If the complaint continue after these means have been employed, some astringent or binding medicine will be required, as the subjoined:--Take of prepared chalk 2 drachms, cinnamon-water 7 oz.

, syrup of poppies 1 oz.

; mix, and take 3 tablespoonfuls every four hours.

Should this fail to complete the cure, 1/2 oz.

of tincture of catechu, or of kino, may be added to it, and then it will seldom fail; or a teaspoonful of the tincture of kino alone, with a little water, every three hours, till the diarrhoea is checked.

While any symptoms of derangement are present, particular attention must be paid to the diet, which should be of a soothing, lubricating, and light nature, as instanced in veal or chicken broth, which should contain but little salt.

Rice, batter, and bread puddings will be generally relished, and be eaten with advantage; but the stomach is too much impaired to digest food of a more solid nature.

Indeed, we should give that organ, together with the bowels, as little trouble as possible, while they are so incapable of acting in their accustomed manner.

Much mischief is frequently produced by the absurd practice of taking tincture of rhubarb, which is almost certain of aggravating that species of disorder of which we have now treated; for it is a spirit as strong as brandy, and cannot fail of producing harm upon a surface which is rendered tender by the formation and contact of vitiated bile.

But our last advice is, upon the first appearance of such symptoms as are above detailed, have _immediate_ recourse to a doctor, where possible.

2625. TO CURE A COLD.

--Put a large teacupful of linseed, with 1/4 lb.

of sun raisins and 2 oz.

of stick liquorice, into 2 quarts of soft water, and let it simmer over a slow fire till reduced to one quart; add to it 1/4 lb.

of pounded sugar-candy, a tablespoonful of old rum, and a tablespoonful of the best white-wine vinegar, or lemon-juice.

The rum and vinegar should be added as the decoction is taken; for, if they are put in at first, the whole soon becomes flat and less efficacious.

The dose is half a pint, made warm, on going to bed; and a little may be taken whenever the cough is troublesome.

The worst cold is generally cured by this remedy in two or three days; and, if taken in time, is considered infallible.

2626. COLD ON THE CHEST.

--A flannel dipped in boiling water, and sprinkled with turpentine, laid on the chest as quickly as possible, will relieve the most severe cold or hoarseness.

2627. SUBSTANCES IN THE EYE.

--To remove fine particles of gravel, lime, &c. , the eye should be syringed with lukewarm water till free from them.

Be particular not to worry the eye, under the impression that the substance is still there, which the enlargement of some of the minute vessels makes the patient believe is actually the case.

2628. SORE EYES.

--Incorporate thoroughly, in a glass mortar or vessel, one part of strong citron ointment with three parts of spermaceti ointment.

Use the mixture night and morning, by placing a piece of the size of a pea in the corner of the eye affected, only to be used in cases of chronic or long-standing inflammation of the organ, or its lids.

2629. LIME IN THE EYE.

--Bathe the eye with a little weak vinegar-and-water, and carefully remove any little piece of lime which may be seen, with a feather.

If any lime has got entangled in the eyelashes, carefully clear it away with a bit of soft linen soaked in vinegar-and-water.

Violent inflammation is sure to follow; a smart purge must be therefore administered, and in all probability a blister must be applied on the temple, behind the ear, or nape of the neck.

2630. STYE IN THE EYE.

--Styes are little abscesses which form between the roots of the eyelashes, and are rarely larger than a small pea.

The best way to manage them is to bathe them frequently with warm water, or in warm poppy-water, if very painful.

When they have burst, use an ointment composed of one part of citron ointment and four of spermaceti, well rubbed together, and smear along the edge of the eyelid.

Give a grain or two of calomel with 5 or 8 grains of rhubarb, according to the age of the child, twice a week.

The old-fashioned and apparently absurd practice of rubbing the stye with a ring, is as good and speedy a cure as that by any process of medicinal application; though the number of times it is rubbed, or the quality of the ring and direction of the strokes, has nothing to do with its success.

The pressure and the friction excite the vessels of the part, and cause an absorption of the effused matter under the eyelash.

The edge of the nail will answer as well as a ring.

2631. INFLAMMATION OF THE EYELIDS.

--The following ointment has been found very beneficial in inflammations of the eyeball and edges of the eyelids:--Take of prepared calomel, 1 scruple; spermaceti ointment, 1/2 oz.

Mix them well together in a glass mortar; apply a small quantity to each corner of the eye every night and morning, and also to the edges of the lids, if they are affected.

If this should not eventually remove the inflammation, elder-flower water may be applied three or four times a day, by means of an eye-cup.

The bowels should be kept in a laxative state, by taking occasionally a quarter of an ounce of the Cheltenham or Epsom salts.

2632. FASTING.

--It is said by many able physicians that fasting is a means of removing incipient disease, and of restoring the body to its customary healthy sensations.

Howard, the celebrated philanthropist (says a writer), used to fast one day in every week.

Napoleon, when he felt his system unstrung, suspended his wonted repast, and took his exercise on horseback.

Fits.

2633. Fits come on so suddenly, often without even the slightest warning, and may prove fatal so quickly, that all people should be acquainted at least with their leading symptoms and treatment, as a few moments, more or less, will often decide the question between life and death.

The treatment, in very many cases at least, to be of the slightest use, should be _immediate_, as a person in a fit (of apoplexy for instance) may die while a surgeon is being fetched from only the next street.

We shall give, as far as the fact of our editing a work for non-professional readers will permit, the peculiar and distinctive symptoms of all kind of fits, and the immediate treatment to be adopted in each case.

2634. APOPLEXY.

--These fits may be divided into two kinds--the _strong_ and the _weak_.

2635. 1. _The strong kind_.

--These cases mostly occur in stout, strong, short-necked, bloated-faced people, who are in the habit of living well.

--_Symptoms_.

The patient may or may not have had headache, sparks before his eyes, with confusion of ideas and giddiness, for a day or two before the attack.

When it takes place, he falls down insensible; the body becomes paralyzed, generally more so on one side than the other;

the face and head are hot, and the blood-vessels about them swollen; the pupils of the eyes are larger than natural, and the eyes themselves are fixed; the mouth is mostly drawn down at one corner; the breathing is like loud snoring; the pulse full and hard.

--_Treatment_.

Place the patient immediately in bed, with his head well raised; take off everything that he has round his neck, and bleed freely and at once from the arm.

If you have not got a lancet, use a penknife or anything suitable that may be at hand.

Apply warm mustard poultices to the soles of the feet and the insides of the thighs and legs; put two drops of castor oil, mixed up with eight grains of calomel, on the top of the tongue, as far back as possible; a most important part of the treatment being to open the bowels as quickly and freely as possible.

The patient cannot swallow; but these medicines, especially the oil, will be absorbed into the stomach altogether independent of any voluntary action.

If possible, throw up a warm turpentine clyster (two tablespoonfuls of oil of turpentine in a pint of warm gruel), or, if this cannot be obtained, one composed of about a quart of warm salt-and-water and soap.

Cut off the hair, and apply rags dipped in weak vinegar-and-water, or weak gin-and-water, or even simple cold water, to the head.

If the blood-vessels about the head and neck are much swollen, put from eight to ten leeches on the temple opposite to the paralyzed side of the body.

Always send for a surgeon immediately, and act according to the above rules, doing more or less, according to the means at hand, and the length of time that must necessarily elapse until he arrives.

A pint, or even a quart of blood in a very strong person, may be taken away.

When the patient is able to swallow, give him the No. 1 pills, and the No. 1 mixture directly.

[The No. 1 pills are made as follows:--Mix 5 grains of calomel and the same quantity of antimonial powder with a little bread-crumb: make into two pills, the dose for a full-grown person.

For the No. 1 mixture, dissolve on ounce of Epsom salts in half a pint of senna tea: take a quarter of the mixture as a dose] Repeat these remedies if the bowels are not well opened.

Keep the patient's head well raised, and cool as above.

Give very low diet indeed: gruel, arrowroot, and the like.

When a person is recovering, he should have blisters applied to the nape of the neck, his bowels should be kept well open, light diet given, and fatigue, worry, and excess of all kinds avoided.

2636. 2. _The weak kind_.

--_Symptoms_.

These attacks are more frequently preceded by warning symptoms than the first kind.

The face is pale, the pulse weak, and the body, especially the hands and legs, cold.

After a little while, these symptoms sometimes alter to those of the first class in a mild degree.

--_Treatment.

_ At first, if the pulse is _very feeble indeed_, a little brandy-and-water or sal-volatile must be given.

Mustard poultices are to be put, as before, to the soles of the foot and the insides of the thighs and legs.

Warm bricks, or bottles filled with warm water, are also to be placed under the armpits.

When the strength has returned, the body become warmer, and the pulse fuller and harder, the head should be shaved, and wet rags applied to it, as before described.

Leeches should be put, as before, to the temple opposite the side paralyzed; and the bowels should be opened as freely and as quickly as possible.

Bleeding from the arm is often necessary in these cases, but a non-professional person should never have recourse to it.

Blisters may be applied to the nape of the neck at once.

The diet in those cases should not be so low as in the former--indeed, it is often necessary, in a day or so after one of these attacks, to give wine, strong beef-tea, &c. , according to the condition of the patient's strength.

2637. _Distinctions between Apoplexy and Epilepsy_.

--1. Apoplexy mostly happens in people over _thirty_, whereas epilepsy generally occurs under that ago; at any rate for the first time.

A person who has epileptic fits over thirty, has generally suffered from them for some years.

2. Again, _in apoplexy_, the body is paralyzed; and, therefore, has not _the convulsions which take place in epilepsy_.

3. The peculiar _snoring_ will also distinguish apoplexy from epilepsy.

2638. _Distinctions between Apoplexy and Drunkeness_.

--1. The known habits of the person.

2. The fact of a person who was perfectly sober and sensible a little time before, being found in a state of insensibility.

3. The absence, in apoplexy, of the _smell of drink_ on applying the nose to the mouth.

4. A person in a fit of apoplexy cannot be roused at all; in drunkenness he mostly can, to a certain extent.

2639. _Distinction between Apoplexy and Hysteria_.

--Hysterics mostly happen in young, nervous, unmarried women; and are attended with convulsions, sobbing, laughter, throwing about of the body, &c. &c. 2640. _Distinction between Apoplexy and Poisoning by Opium_.

--It is exceedingly difficult to distinguish between these two cases.

In poisoning by opium, however, we find the particular smell of the drug in the patient's breath.

We should also, in forming our opinion, take into consideration the person's previous conduct--whether he has been low and desponding for some time before, or has ever talked about committing suicide.

2641. EPILEPSY.

--_Falling Sickness_.

--Those fits mostly happen, at any rate for the first time, to young people, and are more common in boys than girls.

They are produced by numerous causes.

--_Symptoms_.

The fit may be preceded by pains in the head, palpitations, &c. &c. ; but it mostly happens that the person falls down insensible suddenly, and without any warning whatever.

The eyes are distorted, so that only their whites can be seen; there is mostly foaming from the mouth; the fingers are clinched; and the body, especially on one side, is much agitated;

the tongue is often thrust out of the mouth.

When the fit goes off, the patient feels drowsy and faint, and often sleeps soundly for some time.

--_Treatment_.

During the fit, keep the patient flat on his back, with his head slightly raised, and prevent him from doing any harm to himself; dash cold water into his face, and apply smelling-salts to his nose; loosen his shirt collar, &c. ; hold a piece of wood about as thick as a finger--the handle of a tooth-brush or knife will do as well--between the two rows of teeth, at the back part of the mouth.

This will prevent the tongue from being injured.

A teaspoonful of common salt thrust into the patient's mouth, during the fit, is of much service.

The after-treatment of these fits is various, and depends entirely upon their causes.

A good general rule, however, is always to keep the bowels well open, and the patient quiet, and free from fatigue, worry, and excess of all kinds.

2642. _Fainting Fits_ are sometimes very dangerous, and at others perfectly harmless; the question of danger depending altogether upon the causes which have produced them, and which are exceedingly various.

For instance, fainting produced by disease of the heart is a very serious symptom indeed; whereas, that arising from some slight cause, such as the sight of blood, &c. , need cause no alarm whatever.

The symptoms of simple fainting are so well known that it would be quite superfluous to enumerate them here.

The _treatment_ consists in laying the patient at full length upon his back, with his head upon a level with the rest of his body, loosening everything about the neck, dashing cold water into the face, and sprinkling vinegar and water about the mouth; applying smelling-salts to the nose; and, when the patient is able to swallow, in giving a little warm brandy-and-water, or about 20 drops of sal-volatile in water.

2643. _Hysterics_.

--These fits take place, for the most part, in young, nervous, unmarried women.

They happen much less often in married women;

and even (in some rare cases indeed) in men.

Young women, who are subject to these fits, are apt to think that they are suffering from "all the ills that flesh is heir to;" and the false symptoms of disease which they show are so like the true ones, that it is often exceedingly difficult to detect the difference.

The fits themselves are mostly preceded by great depression of spirits, shedding of tears, sickness, palpitation of the heart, &c. A pain, as if a nail were being driven in, is also often felt at one particular part of the head.

In almost all cases, when a fit is coming on, pain is felt on the left side.

This pain rises gradually until it reaches the throat, and then gives the patient a sensation as if she had a pellet there, which prevents her from breathing properly, and, in fact, seems to threaten actual suffocation.

The patient now generally becomes insensible, and faints; the body is thrown about in all directions, froth issues from the mouth, incoherent expressions are uttered, and fits of laughter, crying, or screaming, take place.

When the fit is going off, the patient mostly cries bitterly, sometimes knowing all, and at others nothing, of what has taken place, and feeling general soreness all over the body.

_Treatment during the fit_.

Place the body in the same position as for simple fainting, and treat, in other respects, as directed in the article on Epilepsy.

_Always well loosen the patient's stays_; and, when she is recovering, and able to swallow, give 20 drops of sal volatile in a little water.

The _after-treatment_ of these cases is very various.

If the patient is of a strong constitution, she should live on plain diet, take plenty of exercise, and take occasional doses of castor oil, or an aperient mixture, such as that described as "No. 1," in previous numbers.

If, as is mostly the case, the patient is weak and delicate, she will require a different mode of treatment altogether.

Good nourishing diet, gentle exercise, cold baths, occasionally a dose of No. 3 myrrh and aloes pills at night, and a dose of compound iron pills twice a day.

[As to the myrrh and aloes pills (No. 3), 10 grains made into two pills are a dose for a full-grown person.

Of the compound iron pills (No. 4), the dose for a full grown person is also 10 grains, made into two pills.

] In every case, amusing the mind, and avoiding all causes of over-excitement, are of great service in bringing about a permanent cure.

2644. LIVER COMPLAINT AND SPASMS.

--A very obliging correspondent recommends the following, from personal experience:--Take 4 oz.

of dried dandelion root, 1 oz.

of the best ginger, 1/4 oz.

of Columba root;

braise and boil all together in 3 pints of water till it is reduced to a quart: strain, and take a wine-glassful every four hours.

Our correspondent says it is a "safe and simple medicine for both liver complaint and spasms."

2645. LUMBAGO.

--A "new and successful mode" of treating lumbago, advocated by Dr. Day, is a form of counter-irritation, said to have been introduced into this country by the late Sir Anthony Carlisle, and which consists in the instantaneous application of a flat iron button, gently heated in a spirit-lamp, to the skin.

Dr. Corrigan published, about three years ago, an account of some cases very successfully treated by nearly similar means.

Dr. Corrigan's plan was, however, to touch the surface of the part affected, at intervals of half an inch, as lightly and rapidly as possible.

Dr. Day has found greater advantages to result from drawing the flat surface of the heated button lightly over the affected part, so as to act on a greater extent of surface.

The doctor speaks so enthusiastically of the benefit to be derived from this practice, that it is evidently highly deserving attention.

2646. PALPITATION OF THE HEART.

--Where palpitation occurs as symptomatic of indigestion, the treatment must be directed to remedy that disorder;

when it is consequent on a plethoric state, purgatives will be effectual.

In this case the patient should abstain from every kind of diet likely to produce a plethoric condition of body.

Animal food and fermented liquor must be particularly avoided.

Too much indulgence in sleep will also prove injurious.

When the attacks arise from nervous irritability, the excitement must be allayed by change of air and a tonic diet.

Should the palpitation originate from organic derangement, it must be, of course, beyond domestic management.

Luxurious living, indolence, and tight-lacing often produce this affection: such cases are to be conquered with a little resolution.

2647. Poisons shall be the next subject for remark; and we anticipate more detailed instructions for the treatment of persons poisoned, by giving a simple LIST OF THE PRINCIPAL POISONS, with their ANTIDOTES OR REMEDIES.

Oil of Vitriol ...............

\ Aquafortis ...................

Magnesia, Chalk, Soap-and-Water.

Spirit of Salt ...............

/ Emetic Tartar.................

Oily Drinks, Solution of Oak-bark.

Salt of Lemons, or............

Chalk, Whiting, Lime or Magnesia and Acid of Sugar.................

Water.

Sometimes an Emetic Draught.

Pump on back, Smelling-Salts to nose, Prussic Acid...................

Artificial Breathing, Chloride of Lime to nose.

Pearlash ......................

\ Soap-Lees......................

\ Smelling-Salts.................

\ Nitre..........................

Lemon-Juice and Vinegar-and-Water Hartshorn......................

/ Sal-Volatile...................

/ Arsenic........................

\ Fly-Powder, or.................

Emetics, Lime-Water, Soap-and-Water, White Arsenic..................

Sugar and Water, Oily Drinks.

Kings Yellow, or...............

/ Yellow Arsenic.................

/ Mercury........................

\ Corrosive Sublimate............

Whites of Eggs, Soap-and-Water.

Calomel........................

/ Opium..........................

Emetic Draught, Vinegar-and-Water, Laudanum.......................

dashing Cold Water on chest and face, walking up and down two or three hours.

Lead...........................

\ White Lead.....................

Epsom Salts, Castor Oil, Emetics.

Sugar of Lead..................

/ Goulard's Extract.............

/ Copper Blue-stone ....................

Whites of Eggs, Sugar-and-Water, Verdigris......................

Castor Oil, Gruel.

Zinc ..........................

Lime-Water, Chalk-and-Water, Soap-and-Water.

Iron ..........................

Magnesia, Warm Water.

Henbane........................

\ Hemlock........................

Emetics and Castor Oil;

Nightshade.....................

Brandy-and-Water, if necessary.

Foxglove.......................

/ Poisonous Food.................

Emetics and Castor Oil.

2648. The symptoms of poisoning may be known for the most part from those of some diseases, which they are very like, from the fact of their coming on _immediately_ after eating or drinking something; whereas those of disease come on, in most cases at least, by degrees, and with warnings.

In most cases where poison is known, or suspected, to have been taken, the first thing to be done is to empty the stomach, well and immediately, by means of mustard mixed in warm water, or plain warm salt-and-water, or, better, this draught, which we call No. 1:--Twenty grains of sulphate of zinc in an ounce and a half of water.

This draught to be repeated in a quarter of an hour if vomiting does not ensue.

The back part of the throat should be well tickled with a feather, or two of the fingers thrust down it, to induce vomiting.

The cases where vomiting must not be used are those where the skin has been taken off, and the parts touched irritated and inflamed by the poison taken, and where the action of vomiting would increase the evil.

Full instructions are given in the article on each particular poison as to where emetics are or are not to be given.

The best and safest way of emptying the stomach is by means of the stomach-pump, as in certain cases the action of vomiting is likely to increase the danger arising from the swollen and congested condition of the blood-vessels of the head, which often takes place.

In the hands, however, of any one else than a surgeon, it would be not only useless, but harmful, as a great deal of dexterity, caution, and experience are required to use it properly.

After having made these brief introductory remarks, we shall now proceed to particulars.

2649. _Sulphuric Acid, or Oil of Vitriol_ (a clear, colourless liquid, of an oily appearance).

--_Symptoms in those who have swallowed it_.

When much is taken, these come on immediately.

There is great burning pain, extending from the mouth to the stomach; vomiting of a liquid of a dark coffee-colour, often mixed with shreds of flesh and streaks of blood;

the skin inside the mouth is taken off; and the exposed surface is at first white, and after a time becomes brownish.

There are sometimes spots of a brown colour round the lips and on the neck, caused by drops of the acid falling on these parts.

There is great difficulty of breathing, owing to the swelling at the back part of the mouth.

After a time there is much depression of strength, with a quick, weak pulse, and cold, clammy skin.

The face is pale, and has a very anxious look.

When the acid swallowed has been greatly diluted in water, the same kind of symptoms occur, only in a milder degree.

--_Treatment_.

Give a mixture of magnesia in milk-and-water, or, if this cannot be obtained, of finely powdered chalk, or whiting, or even of the plaster torn down from the walls or ceiling, in milk-and-water.

The mixture should be nearly as thick as cream, and plenty of it given.

As well as this, simple gruel, milk, or thick flour-and-water, are very useful, and should be given in large quantities.

Violent inflammation of the parts touched by the acid is most likely to take place in the coarse of a little time, and can only be properly attended to by a surgeon; but if one cannot be obtained, leeches, the fever-mixtures (the recipe for which appears repeatedly in previous paragraphs), thick drinks, such as barley-water, gruel, arrowroot, &c. , must be had recourse to, according to the symptoms of each particular case and the means at hand.

The inflamed condition of the back part of the mouth requires particular attention.

When the breathing is very laboured and difficult in consequence, from fifteen to twenty leeches are to be immediately applied to the outside of the throat, and when they drop off, warm poppy fomentations constantly kept to the part.

When the pain over the stomach is very great, the same local treatment is necessary; but if it is only slight, a good mustard poultice will be sufficient without the leeches.

In all these cases, two tablespoonfuls of the fever-mixture should be given every four hours, and only gruel or arrowroot allowed to be eaten for some days.

2650. _Nitric Acid_, commonly known as _Aqua Fortis_, or _Red Spirit of Nitre_ (a straw-coloured fluid, of the consistence of water, and which gives off dense white fumes on exposure to the air).

--_Symptoms produced in those who have swallowed it.

_ Much the same as in the case of sulphuric acid.

In this case, however, the surface touched by the acid becomes _yellowish_.

The tongue is mostly much swollen.

--_Treatment_.

The same as for sulphuric acid.

2651. _Muriatic Acid, Spirit of Salt_ (a thin yellow fluid, emitting dense white fumes on exposure to the air).

--This is not often taken as a poison.

The _symptoms_ and _treatment_ are much the same as those of _nitric acid_.

N.

B.

--_In no case of poisoning by these three acids should emetics ever be given_.

2652. _Oxalic Acid_, commonly called _Salt of Lemons_.

--This poison may be taken by mistake for Epsom salts, which it is a good deal like.

It may be distinguished from them by its very acid taste and its shape, which is that of needle-formed crystals, each of which, if put into a drop of ink, will turn it to a reddish brown, whereas Epsom salts will not change its colour at all.

When a large dose of this poison has been taken, death takes place very quickly indeed.

--_Symptoms produced in those who have swallowed it_.

A hot, burning, acid taste is felt in the act of swallowing, and vomiting of a _greenish-brown_ fluid is produced, sooner or later, according to the quantity and strength of the poison taken.

There is great tenderness felt over the stomach, followed by clammy perspirations and convulsions; the legs are often drawn up, and there is generally stupor, from which the patient, however, can easily be roused, and always great prostration of strength.

The pulse is small and weak, and the breathing faint.

--_Treatment_.

Chalk or magnesia, made into a cream with water, should be given in large quantities, and afterwards the emetic draught above prescribed, or some mustard-and-water, if the draught cannot be got.

The back part of the throat to be tickled with a feather, to induce vomiting.

Arrowroot, gruel, and the like drinks, are to be taken.

When the prostration of strength is very great and the body cold, warmth is to be applied to it, and a little brandy-and-water, or sal-volatile and water, given.