Mineral Poisons

The mineral poisons are perhaps those most commonly used for criminal or suicidal purposes, and they are certainly more easily detected by chemical means than are either the vegetable or animal poisons. Science has as yet found out but few certain tests for the vegetable poisons compared with the large number of accurate and easily available tests for the mineral poisons.

Perhaps the most important of this class of poisons is arsenic, as it is certainly the most fatal; others, such as antimony, copper, lead, mercury, and the acids, are in many cases very fatal, but few of these possess the power of destroying life to anything like the extent that is possessed by arsenic.

Acid, Carbolic

The powerful odour of this acid prevents its being frequently taken accidentally, but it has been taken with suicidal intent.

Symptoms

These are much the same as the other powerful irritant poisons. There is an intense burning pain in the mouth and gullet, accompanied with a feeling of tightness in the throat, vomiting of shreds of mucus, griping pain in the stomach, the lips and insides of the cheeks present a charred appearance, and if its action be not checked, the nervous system suffers and the organs of the senses are impaired, and death rapidly follows.

Treatment

Albuminous fluids should be given in large doses, such as white of egg, flour and water, gruel, and milk. Magnesia, and chalk and water, is useful in these cases. Emetics of mustard should also be freely administered.

Acid, Hydrochloric (Muriatic Acid. Spirits Of Salt)

Both the symptoms and treatment of a case of poisoning by this acid are given under Sulphuric Acid.

Acid, Nitric (Aqua Fortis)

Symptoms

(See Sulphuric Acid.) The only difference is that nitric acid does not cause such a dark discoloration of the lips and mouth.

Treatment

Precisely similar as under case of sulphuric acid.

Acid, Sulphuric (Oil Of Vitriol)

This acts as a poison by its powerful corrosive powers. It seldom causes death by its absorption into the system, but rather by the excessive irritation and inflammation which it causes to the lining of the mouth, the gullet, and the stomach. It immediately causes the skin to have a charred appearance of a whitish hue, which gradually becomes darker and browner; it causes pain in the stomach, vomiting and eructations of a gaseous character: great nervous depression, which is also shared by the pulse; convulsions, and death.

Treatment

Give magnesia and water, or lime-water; or, should neither of these be at hand, give soap and water freely.

Antimony (Tartar Emetic, Butter Of Antimony)

Symptoms

These are very much the same as those of arsenic, with the exception that the depression, vomiting, and collapse are much more rapid, owing to the immediate action of the poison on the heart.

Treatment

Should the vomiting not occur freely, it will be as well to give an emetic, and afterwards a dose of tannic acid and water, thus; -

Tannic acid, 10 grains.

Water, I oz. Mix.

Or, A dose of very strong tea, or infusion of gall-nuts mixed with magnesia.