A poison is any substance which has a harmful effect on the body, injuring health or producing death.
Poisoning
Poisoning may be accidental, intentional or homicidal. Poisoning may occur by:
1. inhalation when poisonous gases or tumes are breathed.
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2. ingestion when the poison is swallowed.
3. injection into the skin by means of a syringe or when a poisonous animal or insect bites.
Inhaled poisons
Gas poisoning usually occurs due to breathing of household gases or fumes of fires, stoves, motor exhausts etc. They produce death due to asphyxia.
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Ingested poisons
Poisons when swallowed may cause retching, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Corrosive acids or alkalis may burn the lips, mouth and stomach and this may cause intense pain. The ingested poison when absorbed enters into circulation. In that case, it may produce a variety of effects like depression or delirium depending on its action.
Injected poisons
Poisons may be injected for either suicide or homicide. An injected poison is very rapidly absorbed and it produces harmful effects very quickly.
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Evidence of poisoning
Whether poisoning is intentional, accidental or homicidal there may be evidence of poisoning. It may be inferred by the presence of suspicious bottles, pills or suicide note. A close observation may reveal abnormal smell in breath or unusual substances in the vomit of the patient. Care must be taken not to remove or destroy any likely evidence.
First aid treatment in poisoning
The immediate requirement is to ensure that circulation and respiration are maintained. The next course depends on the types of poison. Vomiting must be avoided in certain type of poisons and it is necessary in most of the poisons.
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1. For corrosives:
When the poison is a corrosive acid or alkali it causes burning of lips, mouth or tongue. By this it can be easily recognized. Vomiting should not be induced in this case. In case of vomiting, there is danger of aspiration of the vomitus and thus damage to the lungs.
2. Unconscious patient:
If the patient is unconscious, he should not be made to vomit. Here again, there is possibility of the vomitus getting aspirated. If however there is retching and vomiting, the unconscious patient is kept in three-quarter prone position
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3. Conscious patient:
Vomiting is induced in a conscious patient. This is done by passing a finger down the victim’s throat. If this fails, he may be given an emetic. The following can be given to induce vomiting.
3. Lightening:
4. Corrosive chemicals such as acids or alkalis.