THE CARELESS HANDLING OF POISONS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2773, 7 February 1895, Page 2

THE CARELESS HANDLING OF POISONS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —lu your issue of 2nd inst. I read an account of accidental, arsenic poisoning Considering the amount of arsenic used in New Zealand for all sorts of purposes, and the careless manner in which it is handled, it is only a matter of wonder why more cases with serious results have not been reported, but 1 write now to draw attention to poisons generally and to antidotes thereto. . The Royal Humane Society, London, print and widely distribute instructions for the restoration of the apparently drowned ; they would do further good if they would extend their instructions as to the treatment of the apparently poisoned. I was taught years ago that albumen (the white of an egg) is the best antidote to arsenic; if the men at Upper Matakitaki had been aware of this, their suffering might have been alleviated. There must be antidotes, or partial antidotes, for such popular poisons as vitriol, chlorodyne, phosphorous (match heads), carbolic acid, etc. Perhaps our public analysts, if properly approached, would give the much-required information which, if properly distributed, might be the means of saving life or relieving the suffering of those who had taken poison accidentally or otherwise.—l am, etc.,

A.H.C