Alkalis should be given before food. Iodin and iodids should be given on an empty stomach, when they rapidly diffuse into the blood. If given during digestion the acids and starch alter and weaken the digestion. Acids, as a rule, should be given between the digestive acts, because the mucous membrane of the stomach is in a favorable condition for the diffusion of the acids into the blood. Acids may be given before food when prescribed to check the excessive formation of the acids of the gastric juice. By giving it before meals you check the osmosis stomachward of the acid-forming materials. Irritating and dangerous drugs should be given directly after food, such as the salts of arsenic, copper, zinc, and iron, except where local conditions require their administration in small doses before food. Oxid and nitrate of silver should be given after process of digestion is ended; if given during food, chemic reactions destroy or impair their special attributes and defeat the object for which they were prescribed. Metallic salts, especially corrosive sublimate, also tannin and pure alcohol, impair the digestive power of the active principle of the gastric juice, so should appear in the stomach during its period of inactivity. Malt extracts, cod-liver oil, phosphates, etc., should be given with or directly after food, so that they may enter the blood with the products of digestion. POISONS AND ANTIDOTES. =General Treatment.=—Eliminate if possible by emetics, as zinc sulphate, 10 to 20 grains; copper sulphate, 5 grains; or hypodermic injection of apomorphin, ⅒ grain. Use stomach-pump or -tube where vomiting cannot be produced, observing great care if irritant poison has caused injury to tissues. In cardiac failure give stimulants. In narcosis keep patient awake. In threatened paralysis of respiratory movements use alternate hot and cold spray to chest, slapping, and artificial respiration. Ammonia, atropin, caffein, and strychnin are useful respiratory stimulants. =Acetanilid.=—Emetic; rest in recumbent position; stimulants—ammonia and strychnin; artificial respiration; oxygen inhalations; external heat. =Acid, Carbolic.=—Alcohol or Epsom salt as an antidote. Three or four ounces of diluted alcohol, followed by lavage with a solution of Epsom salt; external heat; demulcents; stimulants hypodermically. =Acid, Hydrocyanic.=—Fresh air; artificial respiration; oxygen inhalations; ammonia by inhalation and by intravenous injection. =Acid, Oxalic.=—Chalk or lime as an antidote; demulcents, like oil or egg-albumin. =Acids, Mineral.=—Chalk, magnesia, soap, or white-wash from wall to neutralize poison; demulcent drinks—bland oils or egg-white; stimulants hypodermically. =Aconite.=—Recumbent position; empty stomach with pump with patient flat on back; external heat; stimulants—alcohol, ammonia, strychnin—hypodermically.