3. To avert the tendency to death, we must endeavour to palliate the
symptoms and neutralize the effects of the poison. Pain must be relieved
by the use of morphine; inflamed mucous membrane soothed by such
_demulcents_ as oils, milk, starch; stimulants to overcome collapse;
saline infusions in shock, etc. In the case of narcotics and depressing
agents, stimulants, electricity, and cold affusions, may be found
useful. We should endeavour to promote the elimination of the poison
from the body by stimulating the secretions.
VIII.--DETECTION OF POISONS
Notice the smell, colour, and general appearance, of the matter
submitted for examination. The odour may show the presence of prussic
acid, alcohol, opium, or phosphorus. The colour may indicate salts of
copper, cantharides, etc. Seeds of plants may be found.
This examination having been made, the contents of the alimentary canal,
and any other substances to be examined, must be submitted to chemical
processes.
Simple filtration will sometimes suffice to separate the required
substance; in other cases dialysis will be necessary, in order that
crystalloid substances may be separated from colloid bodies.
Pages:
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154