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Having thus offered a summary of our present views respecting the physiological action of Poisons, we are prepared to lay down a general plan of treatment, which, it will be seen, can only be successful when conducted on principles strictly conformable with the just notions which the preceding experiments have so satisfactorily established.

Where a poisonous substance has, either through accident or design, found its way into the alimentary canal, three important indications are, if possible, to be fulfilled; and under these heads I shall offer such observations as may serve to instruct the practitioner in the philosophy of the general treatment, reserving the details to be observed in that of each poison, for more particular notice in a subsequent part of the work, where the history of these substances will be individually considered. The indications to which I allude are the following, viz.

1. The immediate ejectment of the poison from the body, by the operation of vomiting and purging.

Whatever may be the nature of the poison, we should endeavour with all possible expedition, to eject it from the body; and upon the promptness with which this is effected, the safety of the patient will generally depend; for the dangerous effects of such substances advance in a very increasing ratio, with the time they remain in contact with a living surface. A question may arise, whether in some cases it would not be judicious to attempt in the first instance the neutralization or decomposition of the poison; where a mineral acid, or a caustic alkali has been swallowed, it would undoubtedly be right to neutralize, and dilute it, as soon as possible, and then to excite vomiting, which may be advantageously effected by thrusting the finger down the throat, or by tickling the internal fauces with a feather: where an emetic is at hand, whatever may be its nature, it should be promptly given, but if circumstances will allow us the opportunity of selection, Antimony, Ipecacuanha, &c. should be rejected, and Sulphate of Zinc, or Sulphate of Copper, for several reasons, be preferred; in the first place they do not require much dilution^[225] for their action, a circumstance of no small importance in the treatment of poisons that act by being absorbed; in the next place, they are extremely expeditious, a dose of fifteen or twenty grains producing almost instantaneous vomiting, without exciting that previous stage of nausea which so frequently characterises other emetics, and which occasions a state of the vascular system highly favourable to the function of absorption, (as I have so fully explained at page 86, &c.)