Poison by Lead-Lead poisoning
Lead may be taken into the body by eating substances which contain lead, by inhaling lead-containing fumes, or by absorption of lead through the skin. For children, the usual cause is the swallowing of dried paint, as when a teething child bites the paint on his crib or on his toys. Fortunately, lead is not used as commonly in paints now as in former years. For adults, lead poisoning is usually related to occupation- as with painters, storage battery workers, and those who handle tetraethyl lead in the gasoline industry. Consumption of alcohol makes the nerves more prone to the adverse effects of lead poisoning.
Symptoms may be acute or chronic, depending on the amount of lead and the rate at which it has been taken into the body. Most symptoms relate to the digestive organs of the nervous system: metallic taste, dry throat, thirst, pain in the abdomen, vomiting, constipation, headache, drowsiness, convulsions and paralysis of certain muscles, particularly the extensors of the wrist. Anemia is typical of chronic lead poisoning.
WHAT TO DO
For the acute case. Even though the victim may already vomited, have drink 2 to 4 glasses (less for a small child) of water containing 1 tablespoon full of magnesium sulfate (Epson salts) per glass. Then induce vomiting by gently tickling the back of the victim’s throat. After he has vomited have him drink a little more of the magnesium sulfate solution and retain it.
Early care consists in keeping the victim in warm bed. Continued care should be carefully supervised by a physician, who will arrange a chemical treatment designed to remove lead from the body’s other tissues and to prevent permanent damage to the kidneys.
Treatment for chronic lead poisoning should be supervised by a physician.
