Accidents from poisoning are of such frequent occurrence, that every one should be able to administer the more common antidotes, until the _services of a physician can be obtained_. As many poisons bear a close resemblance to articles in common use, no dangerous substance should be brought into the household without having the word _poison_ plainly written or printed on the label; and any package, box, or vial, without a label, should be at once destroyed, if the contents are not positively known. When a healthy person is taken severely and _suddenly_ ill _soon after some substance has been swallowed_, we may suspect that he has been poisoned. In all cases where poison has been taken into the stomach, it should be quickly and thoroughly evacuated by some active emetic, which can be speedily obtained. This may be accomplished by drinking a tumblerful of warm water, containing either a tablespoonful of powdered mustard or of common salt, or two teaspoonfuls of powdered alum in two tablespoonfuls of syrup. When vomiting has already taken place, it should be maintained by copious draughts of warm water or mucilaginous drinks, such as gum-water or flaxseed tea, and tickling the throat with the finger until there is reason to believe that all the poisonous substance has been expelled from the stomach. The following list embraces only the more common poisons, together with such antidotes as are usually at hand, to be used until the physician arrives. POISONS. ACIDS.--_Hydrochloric acid_; _muriatic acid_ (spirits of salt); _nitric acid_ (aqua fortis); _sulphuric acid_ (oil of vitriol). ANTIDOTE.--An antidote should be given at once to neutralize the acid. Strong soapsuds is an efficient remedy, and can always be obtained. It should be followed by copious draughts of warm water or flaxseed tea. Chalk, magnesia, soda or saleratus (with water) or {248} lime-water, are the best remedies. When sulphuric acid has been taken, water should be given sparingly, because, when water unites with this acid, intense heat is produced. _Oxalic acid._ ANTIDOTE.--Oxalic acid resembles Epsom salts in appearance, and may easily be mistaken for it. The antidotes are magnesia, or chalk mixed with water. PRUSSIC ACID; _oil of bitter almonds_; _laurel water_; _cyanide of potassium_ (used in electrotyping). ANTIDOTE.--Cold douche to the spine. Chlorine water, or water of ammonia largely diluted, should be given, and the vapor arising from them may be inhaled. ALKALIES AND THEIR SALTS.--AMMONIA (hartshorn), _liquor or water of ammonia_. POTASSA:--_caustic potash_, _strong ley_, _carbonate of potassa_ (pearlash), _nitrate of potassa_ (saltpetre).