------------------------------------+------------------------------ Corrosives. | Irritants. ------------------------------------+------------------------------ 1. Destruction of the parts to | 1. Irritation of the parts which they are applied. No | to which they are applied remote action on the system. | producing inflammation. | Remote action present in | most of the irritants. | 2. Symptoms supervene immediately | 2. Symptoms may rapidly they are swallowed, and consist | supervene after they are of a burning, scalding pain | taken, or some delay may felt in the mouth, gullet, and | occur, due to the state of stomach. | concentration or dilution | of the poison. Pain in | the stomach and bowels, | more or less severe, is | always present with the | other signs of irritation. | 3. Death may result from-- | 3. Death may result from-- (1) Shock. | (1) Shock. (2) Extensive destruction | (2) Irritation, causing of the parts touched. | convulsions. (3) Starvation. | (3) Protracted suffering. (4) Suffocation, the result | (4) Starvation. of œdema, or spasms due | to acid in larynx. | 4. _Post-mortem_ appearances: | 4. _Post-mortem_ corrosion and extensive | appearances: irritation destruction of tissue. | and signs of inflammation, | ulceration, &c. ------------------------------------+------------------------------ GENERAL TREATMENT OF CASES OF POISONING The principal modes of procedure are as follows: 1. To remove the poison from the digestive tract, or neutralise it or render it insoluble by the administration of suitable antidotes. 2. To overcome the effects of that which has been absorbed. 3. To promote its elimination. 4. To alleviate dangerous symptoms, and endeavour to keep the patient alive until the effects of the poison have passed off. To forcibly empty the stomach, emetics may be administered or other means used to induce vomiting, or the stomach pump or tube may be employed.