Chapter 32: Corrosive Poisons

extensive penetrating damage

Alkalies, unlike acids, produce .

Corrosive poisons

These are those substances, which corrode and destroy tissues through direct chemical action.

correction of acidosis

Treatment is by by infusion of sodium bicarbonate intravenously and to treat renal failure by hemodialysis.

Inorganic acids (mineral acids)

Sulfuric, nitric, hydrochloric and hydrofluoric acids.

Inorganic acids (mineral acids)

Sulfuric, nitric, hydrochloric and hydrofluoric acids

Organic acids

Carbolic, oxalic and salicylic acids

Sulfuric acid

With barium chloride or nitrate, it produces white precipitate of barium sulfate

Organic acids

Carbolic, oxalic and salicylic acids. These acids are weaker in action compared to inorganic acids and are usually absorbed into circulation, promoting local and remote action.

Hydrochloric acid

When mixed with silver nitrate, it produces a curdy white precipitate of silver chloride

Xanthoproteic reaction

It is a local reaction producing yellowish discoloration of the tissues upon contact with concentrated nitric acid

Carbolic Acid

It is a poison that can be identified by smell, which is commonly referred to as phenolic odor or hospital odor

Cresol

a methyl phenol with meta, ortho and para isomers

Creosote

a mixture of phenols and consists mainly of cresol and guiacol

Resorcinol

a colourless crystalline substance and is used for the treatment of various skin diseases including ringworm, psoriasis, eczema, etc

Dettol

chlorinated phenol, parachlorometaxylenol and is practically non-toxic to adults

Thymol

an alkyl derivative of phenol obtained from volatile oils of Thymus vulgaris, Monarda punctata or Trachyspermum ammi

Ammonium Carbonate

It is a translucent, hard crystalline mass with a strong ammoniacal taste and pungent odor

Potassium and Sodium Carbonate

They are white crystalline powder and are very soluble in water, but not in alcohol

Vitriolage

Death or disfiguration due to throwing of concentrated sulfuric acid on the face of a person with an intention to produce damage.

Xanthoproteic reaction

It is a local reaction producing yellowish discoloration of the tissues upon contact with concentrated nitric acid.

Hydrofluoric acid

It is a colorless gas, which becomes a fuming liquid when dissolved in water and is used for etching glass and clouding electric bulbs.

Carbolic Acid

It is a poison that can be identified by smell, which is commonly referred to as phenolic odor or hospital odor.

Phenol

It is a protoplasmic poison. It enters into a loose combination with proteins and penetrates deep into the tissue.

carboluria

Phenol is metabolized mainly by the kidneys, wherein it gets converted into hydroquinone and pyrocatechol and excreted in urine (both). These products turn urine olive green or brown on standing, and the phenomenon is called ____.

nephrotoxic

Phenol is considered as a ____drug.

Cresol

A methyl phenol with meta, ortho and para isomers. It is used as a disinfectant and antiseptic.

Creosote

A mixture of phenols and consists mainly of cresol and guiacol. It is used as a household remedy for coughs and is found in many proprietary preparations.

Resorcinol

A colourless crystalline substance and is used for the treatment of various skin diseases including ringworm, psoriasis, eczema, etc.

Lysol

50% solution of cresol (3-methyl phenol) in saponified vegetable oil.

Dettol

Chlorinated phenol, parachlorometaxylenol and is practically non-toxic to adults.

Thymol

An alkyl derivative of phenol obtained from volatile oils of Thymus vulgaris, Monarda punctata or Trachyspermum ammi.

Formic Acid

• It is a colorless liquid with a pungent penetrating odor, completely soluble in water.
• It is unique for its ability in many patients to cause death after a prolonged (several weeks) course of classical acid-induced gastrointestinal damage.

Alkali agents

_ create injury to the gastrointestinal tract by the mechanism of liquefaction necrosis, whereby saponification of fats and solubilization of proteins allow deep penetration into tissue.

Spirits of Hartshorn

Gaseous ammonia when dissolved in water forms a strong solution of ammonia known as _, which contains 32.5% of ammonia and is a colorless pungent liquid used in agriculture, mining, plastic, and explosive industries.

Ammonium Carbonate

It is a translucent, hard crystalline mass with a strong ammoniacal taste and pungent odor.

Potassium and Sodium Carbonate

They are white crystalline powder and are very soluble in water, but not in alcohol. They are used for cleaning and washing purpose.

Potassium Hydroxide and Sodium Hydroxide

These are used as drain and oven cleaners.