poisoning treatment, the symptomatic and supportive care given a patient who has been exposed to or who has ingested a toxic drug, commercial chemical, or other dangerous substance. In the case of oral poisoning a primary effort should be directed toward recovery of the toxic substance before it can be absorbed into the body tissues. If vomiting does not occur spontaneously, it usually should be induced after first identifying the poison, if possible, and calling a poison control center. If the poison is a petroleum distillate, such as kerosene, or a caustic or corrosive substance, vomiting should not be induced. Before any attempt to induce emesis, the victim, if conscious, should be given one or two glasses of milk or water. A carbonated beverage should never be given to an oral poisoning patient. Because of the danger of hypernatremia, the patient, particularly a child, should not be given water containing salt or mustard. Syrup of ipecac can be given, if available, to induce vomiting, and the dose can be repeated one time. If the ipecac fails to induce vomiting, vomiting should be encouraged by stimulating the patient’s gag reflex at the back of the throat. Ipecac, which can be a GI irritant, should not be allowed to remain in the stomach. It also should not be given with milk or charcoal, both of which can interfere with its action. In certain cases an antidote may be administered to render the poison inert or to prevent its absorption, as by giving a mild solution of vinegar or citrus juice to neutralize an alkali. A physician should be summoned to take charge of the case.
