Poisoning
Introduction
A poison is any liquid, solid substance or gas that can or cannot be smelt. When it enters the body, even in small amount, can cause harm and even death.
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
Poisoning may result in the following clinical features
(1) Slow or abnormal respiration and blood circulation
(2) Shock
(3) Unconsciousness
(4) Cramp or convulsion
(5) Dilated or constricted pupils
(6) Nausea, retch, vomiting or diarrhoea
(7) Severe abdominal pain, distension or cramps
(8) Mouth frothing or excessive sweating
(9) If corrosive substance is swallowed, there will be stains of burns around the lips. Pain is felt in the mouth and the throat, as well as in swallowing
(10) The breath smells of chemicals
Treatment for Ingested Poisons
(1) Maintain an open airway.
(2) Place the injured in a proper position.
(3) Send the injured to hospital with his vomit and any suspected container.
Note: Do not delay sending the injured to hospital.
Treatment for Inhaled Poisons
(1) Safeguard yourself before entering the scene. Open the windows and more the injured to an area with fresh air.
(2) If the injured is not breathing, perform mouth to mouth resuscitation. If he has no pulse, perform CPR.
(3) Administer 100% oxygen if possible.
(4) Send the injured to hospital immediately.
Treatment for Absorbed Poisons
(1) Irrigate the affected area with running water.
(2) Apply cold compresses.
(3) Instruct the injured not to scratch the rash.
(4) If the whole body has an allergic reaction, follow the rules for treating patients with breathing difficulty.
(5) Send the injured to hospital.
Treatment for Injected Poisons
(1) If the injured is breathing with difficulty or he has stopped breathing immediately treat him in the way a patient with breathing difficulty is treated.
(2) Send the injured to hospital immediately.
Snake Bites
The poison of a snake is mainly stored in the poison sac of its two front teeth. The injured will be very frightened once bitten by a snake. Reassure and calm him, minimize his movements to reduce the circulation of venom inside his body. The most common types of poisonous snakes in Hong Kong are King Cobra, Chinese Cobra, Banded Krait, Many-Banded Krait and Bamboo Snake.
Clinical Features
(1) Clear marks of tooth bites may appear on the wound.
(2) There is heat, pain and swelling in the wound.
(3) Nausea and vomiting.
(4) Disturbed vision and headache.
(5) Difficulty in breathing for severe cases.
Treatment
(1) Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water.
(2) Lower the injured’s limbs at a level lower than the heart.
(3) Cover the wound with a dressing and bandage it with a crepe bandage. Do not bandage too tightly to avoid blocking the blood circulation.
(4) Immobilize the injured with splints to minimize his movement.
(5) Reassure the injured.
(6) Convey the injured on a stretcher to hospital immediately.
Note: If possible, take the snake to hospital. In the Casualty Department, appropriate serum will be injected into the injured.