Opium: An Extract From The Poppy (Papaversomnifera)

Symptoms

Drowsiness, stupor, delirium, pallid countenance, contracted pupil, sighing, loud or snoring respiration, cold sweats, coma, and death.

Treatment

Emetics of the sulphate of zinc - (see under Hemlock) - or if the patient be too far gone to take these, the stomach-pump should be applied (See page 663). The patient should on no account be allowed to sleep, but his attention should be constantly aroused. A good plan is to walk the patient rapidly and incessantly about. A tepid bath is useful lor arousing the sleepy energies, and cold water should be dashed over the head at the same time. Opium is the juice of the poppy, which runs from incision made in the unripe fruit. Its principal properties are due to an active principle contained in it, which is called morphia. In cases of overdoses of this drug, the same treatment should be adopted.

Oxalic Acid

Symptoms

If the dose be a large one, while it is being swallowed a hot burning acid taste is experienced, extending downwards to the stomach, vomiting then occurs, or within a few minutes.

There is a severe feeling of tightness in the throat, and sometimes delirium.

When the dose is smaller the pain is less, and vomiting does not set in so soon. At times there is no vomiting, at others it alone causes death by causing exhaustion.

Treatment

Some chalk and water should be immediately administered, and a quantity of water drunk to encourage vomiting.

This is not often administered with a criminal intent, the taste is too strong; but it is taken sometimes in mistake for Epsom salts, which it somewhat resembles.

Prussic Acid (Hydrocyanic Acid)

Symptoms

Pallid appearance, giddiness, great nervous prostration, loss of sight more or less complete, faintness, laboured and hard respiration, loss of power of motion.

Treatment

The stomach-pump should be applied; or if this is not handy, emetics, such as mustard, salt and water. (See under Hemlock.) Dash cold water over the head and chest. Give salvolatile as follows: -

Spirits of salvolatile, 1 drachm.

Water to 1 ounce. Mix. Every quarter of an hour until there are some signs of revival.

Prussic acid is the most powerful poison known. This poison is often met with in the essential oil of almonds, and great care should therefore be taken in the use of this pleasant flavouring.

Yew (Taxus Baccata) (See Plate)

Symptoms

Professor Taylor gives the symptoms of poisoning by this plant as follows: - "Convulsions, insensibility, coma, dilated pupils, pale countenance, small pulse, and cold extremities are the most prominent; vomiting and purging are also observed among the symptoms".

Treatment

As in many other vegetable, indeed it might safely be said in all poisons, vomiting should be excited, and this is best done, and perhaps in the quickest, safest manner by an emetic of mustard, salt, and water. Should the convulsions be very acute, and there be great heat of head, cold should be applied. If the pulse is very small, and the prostration of the patient is great, as soon as the stomach is thoroughly emptied, brandy should be given.

It is commonly supposed that the leaves of this plant are not poisonous when fresh, but this is erroneous. They are at all times poisonous. The berries also are very dangerous, more especially to children, as they have an agreeable taste, and look tempting. The danger of the leaves is not so much for the human race as it is for cattle, who are fond of eating them.