Page:Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management.djvu/2084

1876 ''Lead. Treatment.''—Give an emetic in the first place, then 2 teaspoonfuls of Epsom or Glauber's salts every 2 hours until the bowels act. When this has been accomplished continue the salts in smaller doses. Opium may be needed if the abdominal pain is severe.

Nitric Acid or Aquafortis.—Treatment. The same as for poisoning by sulphuric acid.

Oxalic Acid or Acid of Sugar.—Treatment. Give magnesia or chalk mixed with water. When the acid is neutralized by these means give 1 tablespoonful of castor-oil.

''Phosphorus. Treatment.''—Use the stomach-syphon to evacuate the contents of the stomach. If this is not available, give an emetic of 20 grains of zinc sulphate or 3 grains of copper sulphate dissolved in water. Purgatives should afterwards be given, but castor-oil must not be used since phosphorus is soluble in oil and the poison is then more easily absorbed.

''Prussic Acid. Treatment.''—Evacuate the stomach with the syphon or give emetics of mustard and water, or 20 grains of zinc sulphate in water. Then commence artificial respiration, as described under "Drowning."

''Shell Fish. Treatment.''—Give an emetic, then a purgative, afterwards 20 or 30 drops of spirit of sulphuric ether on a lump of sugar.

''Sulphuric Acid or Oil of Vitriol. Treatment.''—Give chalk, magnesia or soda, mixed with water. Failing these, white of egg or soap and water may be used to neutralize the acid. Treat the collapse with hot bottles and blankets, and an enema containing 1 oz. of brandy and an egg beaten up.

Shock.—After a severe—or sometimes even after a slight—accident, and after a fright, some people suffer from collapse or shock. They will be faint, depressed, and cold; the pulse will be weak and difficult to count and the breathing shallow, the face pale and pinched and the expression alarmed. Sometimes this condition of shock is so severe that it ends in death, even when the accident itself has been but slight. The degree of shock depends very much upon the temperament of the sufferers, being much greater in those of a weak and timid disposition.

Treatment.—Recumbent position, application of warmth to body and limbs, friction and massage of limbs, rubbing towards the heart. Give hot drinks, tea or coffee, and if the nature of the accident will permit, a little weak stimulant, also hot. Loosen all tight clothing, and finally if the patient is conscious, cheer him up as much as possible.

Sprains.—Treatment.—Foment the part well with warm water, then brush tincture of arnica over it with a camel-hair brush several times a day. In place of the fomentations, cold water bandage or lint well moistened with lead lotion or an evaporating lotion containing methylated spirit, often give relief. When the more acute symptoms have