What is to be Done in Cases of Poisoning
The main object is to expel the poison as quickly as possible and to prevent its action from spreading; or to render innoxiously what cannot be expelled. Much depends upon promptness. Yet too much haste frequently leads to mistakes, and nervous agitation causes many to act without consideration.
The first requisition is presence of mind. Whoever is possessed of this, should act, and direct what is to be done. Let him dispatch the bystanders after what may be wanted, thus rendering those useful who would otherwise be worse than useless.
In most cases when poison has been taken into the stomach, the principal object is to excite vomiting, particularly when the sufferer feels inclined to it; or if vomiting has already taken place, to promote it. The best means of affecting this is by administering tepid water, and tickling the throat with a soft feather; a feather from the tail of a peacock is the best, on account of its length and softness; put some oil on it, push it down the throat, turning it now and then, until vomiting has been produced.
Let water be heated as quickly as possible; in the meantime take the white of eggs and beat them to froth. Take pure white soap and let suds be made. Let another person procure sugar, vinegar, sweet oil, milk and butter. Have some strong coffee made, and gruel of oatmeal, barley, linseed, or meal of any kind.
Whilst you are promoting vomiting and procuring what is requisite, ascertain, if possible, what kind of poison the sufferer has taken. Sometimes a sudden case of sickness is erroneously attributed to poison. Consider, therefore, what may be the most probable cause of the attack, and should any uncertainty exist, do not hurry yourself. You may do some things at random without doing any injury; you will have to do this until you attain certainty.
There is reason to apprehend poison, when violent, dangerous symptoms, such as are indicated below, occur suddenly, particularly if these show themselves at once, or soon after the sufferer has been eating or drinking. The probability will be still greater, if the patient has eaten any thing unusual.
Be therefore diligent in inquiring of the sufferer himself, as well as of those about him, where he has been, with whom, and so forth. Preserve carefully what he has thrown up, and likewise whatever may have been left of his meals or drink. Do not suffer these things to be thrown away, although they should become putrefied; for mineral poison can be traced notwithstanding, a matter which may prove interesting to the patient, or his relatives. Should this be a matter of importance, throw the whole together into one vessel, and pour plenty of strong brandy or alcohol over it.
