| 1. |
Definition
A poison is any substance liquid, solid or gas that poisons the body
tissues decreases or reduces their function & even causes death by
its chemical action when introduced in relatively small amount into
the body.
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| 2. |
Pathways
for entering the body
There are four ways for poisons to enter the body:
* Ingestion -- through the mouth.
* Inhalation -- through the respiratory tract
* Absorption -- through the skin
* Injection -- into the body or blood vessels
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| 3. |
Clinical
Features:
General poisoning may result in the following clinical features.
| - |
Slow
or abnormal respiration & blood circulation |
| - |
Shock |
| - |
Unconsciousness |
| - |
Cramp
or convulsion |
| - |
Dilated
or constricted pupils |
| - |
Nausea,
vomiting or diarrhoea |
| - |
Severe
abdominal pain, distension or cramps |
| - |
Mouth
frothing & excessive sweating |
| - |
If
corrosive substance has been swallowed, there will be burns
& stains around the lips. Pain is felt in the mouth & throat. |
| - |
Breath
with chemical odours. |
Treatment for Ingested Poisons:
| (1)
|
Maintain
an open airway.
|
| (2) |
Position
the casualty depending on the degree of his consciousness.
|
| (3) |
Induce
vomiting by having the casualty drinking glasses of water or
milk till vomiting is caused.
|
| (4) |
Send
the casualty to hospital. Take casualty's vomit & any suspected
container to hospital.
|
Note:
Do not delay his transportation to hospital.
Treatment for Inhaled Poisons:
| (1)
|
Safeguard
yourself when entering the scene by opening the windows & removing
the patient to an area of fresh air.
|
| (2) |
If
the patient is not breathing, start mouth to mouth resuscitation.
If he has no pulse, start CPR.
|
| (3) |
Administer
100% oxygen if possible.
|
| (4) |
Transport
the patient to hospital immediately.
|
Treatment for Absorbed Poisons:
| (1)
|
Irrigate
the affected area with running water.
|
| (2) |
Apply
cold compresses.
|
| (3) |
Instruct
the patient not to scratch the rash.
|
| (4) |
If
the body appears to have an allergic reaction, follow the rules
in treating breathing with difficult.
|
| (5) |
Send
the patient to hospital.
|
Treatment for Injected Poisons:
| (1)
|
If
the patient is breathing with difficulty, stops breathing, follow
the rules in treating breathing with difficulty.
|
| (2)
|
Send
the patient to hospital immediately.
|
|
| 4. |
Snake
Bites
The poison of a snake is mainly stored in the poison sac of its two
front tooth. Casualty will be very frightened once bitten by snake.
Reasure and calm the casualty, minimize his movements to reduce the
venom circulating inside his body. The common types of poisonous snakes
in Hong Kong are King Cobra, Chinese Cobra, Banded Krait, Many-Banded
Krait & Bamboo Snake.
Clinical Features:
|
| |
(1)
|
There can be clear marks of tooth bites.
|
| |
(2)
|
The wound is hot, pain & swelling.
|
| |
(3)
|
Nausea & vomiting.
|
| |
(4)
|
Disturbed vision & headache.
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| |
(5)
|
Difficult in breathing for severe cases.
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| |
Treatment
:
|
| |
(1)
|
Wash the wound thoroughly with soap & water.
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| |
(2)
|
Position the injured limbs at a lower level than the heart.
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| |
(3) |
Apply dressing to the wound & bandage with crepe bandage but not so
tightly as to interfere with his blood circulation.
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| |
(4)
|
Immobilize casualty with splint to minimize his movement.
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| |
(5)
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Reassure the casualty.
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| |
(6)
|
Convey the casualty on stretch to hospital immediately.
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| |
Note:
|
If
possible, take the snake with you to hospital. The Casualty Department
will inject appropriate serum to the casualty.
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