Important: Safety Warning
This page gives first-aid or emergency advice that predates modern medicine and can make an emergency worse. Do not follow it. In any medical emergency, call emergency services and follow current first-aid guidance.
In addition, this page presents medical treatment from an era before modern medicine. The remedies described are ineffective against the conditions named, and some of the ingredients or doses are harmful. Do not use them to treat any illness; consult a qualified medical professional.
This information has been left in for historical purposes but should not be acted upon.
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Antidotes for Poisons
In cases where other articles available as antidotes are not in the house, give two tablespoonfuls of mustard mixed in a pint of warm water. Also give large draughts of warm milk or water mixed with oil, butter or lard. If possible, while awaiting the arrival of the doctor, give as follows: For Bed-bug Poison, Blue Vitriol, Corrosive Sublimate, Lead Water, Saltpetre, Sugar of lead, Sulphate of Zinc, Red Precipitate, Vermilion, Fowler's Solution, White Precipitate, Arsenic, Give Milk, or White of Eggs, in large quantities.
Give prompt Emetic of Mustard and Salt-tablespoonful of each; follow with Sweet Oil, Butter, or Milk.
For Antimonial Wine, Tartar Emetic, Oil Vitriol, Aqua Fortis, Bi-Carbonate Potassa, Muriatic Acid, Oxalic Acid, Caustic Soda, Caustic Potash, Volatile Alkali.
Carbolic Acid, Chloral Hydrate, Chloroform, Carbonate of Soda, Copperas, Cobalt, Laudanum, Morphine, Opium, Nitrate of Silver, Strychnine, Tinct. Nux Vomica, Drink warm water to encourage vomiting. If vomiting does not stop, give a grain of Opium in water.
Magnesia or Soap, dissolved in water, every two minutes. Drink freely of water with Vinegar or Lemon Juice in it. -Give Flour and Water or Glutinous drinks.
Pour cold water over the head and face, with artificial respiration, Galvanic Battery.
Prompt Emetic, Soap or Mucilaginous drinks.
Strong Coffee, followed by ground Mustard or Grease in warm water to produce vomiting. Keep in motion. -Give common Salt in water.
Emetic of mustard or Sulphate of Zinc, aided by warm water.