Copper (Bine Vitriol. Mineral Green Verdigris)

Symptoms

These, again, are much the same as in arsenic, but rather less acute. It may here be stated that many alleged cases of poison by verdigris, from cooking vessels, etc., are in reality owing to bad or decomposed food.

A poisonous dose of salts of copper is always followed (if the patient recovers from the first effects) by inflammation of the bowels.

Treatment

Begin with the stomach-pump, or an emetic. When the stomach has been evacuated, give white of egg, flour and water, milk. The subsequent inflammation of the bowels should be treated as described under arsenic.

Lead (White Lead. Sugar Of Lead)

Symptoms

This also causes many of the symptoms described under arsenic, when taken in a large quantity; but there is a particular form of disease called lead colic, which particularly affects workers in lead (see Colic); these people are also subject to a form of paralysis (see Paralysis).

1. Common Hemlock.

Conmm maculatum.

2. Commom Merzereon.

Daphne Mezerema.

3.Foxglove.

Digitalis purpureo.

4. White Poppy.

Papaver sommferum.

Treatment

When taken in a large dose, give an emetic of sulphate of zinc or copper (see Hemlock). If the pain in the stomach be severe, small doses of tincture of opium, about 10 minims, should be given at short intervals, combined with sulphate of magnesia.

Alkalies. Ammonia

Symptoms

Pungent acrid odour, hot taste, stomachache, followed by convulsions, delirium, and death.

Treatment

Vinegar and water in large doses, lemon juice and olive oil.

For any of the other alkalies, soda or potash, in their caustic forms, the same treatment should be pursued.

Chloride Of Zinc (Sir W. Biir-Nett's Disinfecting- Fluid)

Symptoms

Pain of a burning kind in the throat, nausea and vomiting, griping pains in the stomach, pallor and coldness, the legs are drawn up, and there are appearances of collapse.

The strong or concentrated preparation acts with extreme corrosive violence on the mouth, gullet, and stomach. Should the action of this poison be further continued, it will be found that it affects the nervous system. This will be demonstrated by the patient's sight becoming dim, and the power of taste and smell less acute than it is normally - by extreme depression, syncope, and death.

Treatment

Milk and white of egg should be given freely, and emetics of mustard and warm water, combined with flour or oatmeal.