Signs of hemlock alkaloid poisoning
The initial symptoms of hemlock poisoning (itching in the mouth, behind the sternum, numbness of skin areas, dizziness, headache, visual and hearing impairment, dilated pupils, salivation, repeated vomiting, shortness of breath, palpitations, irregular pulse, convulsions, during which blood pressure rises), as a rule, appear in 20-30 minutes, but it should be remembered that in some cases it can occur in one and a half to two hours.
With a mild form of hemlock poisoning, salivation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea appear. The pupils are dilated, body temperature is low, limbs are cold, immobilized, and breathing is difficult. In cases where proper immediate action is not immediately taken, the hemlock poison continues to be absorbed very rapidly into the bloodstream from the gastrointestinal tract. Symptomatology progresses; repeated vomiting, abdominal pain, sharp tachycardia, clonic-tonic convulsions, respiratory depression up to loss of consciousness.
Signs of ascending paralysis predominate: the limbs become heavy, poisoned complain of coldness of the whole body and the sensation of crawling goosebumps in the limbs, dizziness, difficulty swallowing. Objects become blurred before the eyes, the face becomes pale, dilation and irregularity of the pupils are observed.
In severe cases of hemlock poisoning, muscle weakness develops, progressing to muscle paralysis (starting with the legs). Then loss of consciousness, collapse, ascending paralysis. Death occurs with complete respiratory arrest due to paralysis of the respiratory muscles of the chest combined with paralysis of the respiratory center in the brain.
Emergency care and treatment
People have known about the fact that hemlock is extremely poisonous since ancient times; there were also means to combat poisoning by this plant. As we know, old recipes are often the most effective - that's why we present one of them below.
"The best way to get rid of this poison is to take warm water mixed with a satisfactory amount of wood oil (a lower grade of olive oil, used in those days for lamps), linseed oil or hemp oil and, putting a tin or leather tube, or even a funnel in the mouth or throat, pour it into the stomach of the poisoned person until he vomits.
Repeat several times this pouring and, when the poisoned will come to his senses, give him to drink warm water with honey, until he gets relief" (From an old medical book).
Now let's move on to modern methods. Read it carefully and memorize it well: it is possible that the life of another person, if not yours, will depend on it.
The first thing that should be done at the first suspicion of hemlock poisoning (however, this rule applies to other types of poisoning) - to wash the stomach with 0.1 percent solution of potassium permanganate, and then give the patient to drink an aqueous suspension of activated charcoal (at least 10 tablets) and take him to fresh air.
General scheme of emergency first aid for hemlock poisoning
1. Gastric lavage.
2. Cardiac remedies - caffeine, camphor.
3. Diuretics - furosemide, diacarb, etc. д.
4. Warm wrap.
5. CPR.
6. Immediate admission to a toxicology hospital.
Medical care
.1. Intravenously - 5-10% solution of hydrochloric acid, 5% solution of tannin, activated charcoal. 30 g of magnesia sulfate per half cup of water. Cardiac remedies - caffeine, camphor.
2. Intramuscularly - 25% solution of magnesium sulfate (10 ml).
3. Intravenous:
- in seizures - diazepam (5-10 mg);
- in heart rhythm disorders - novocaine-mide (10 ml of 10% solution).- in heart rhythm disorder - novocaine-mide (10 ml of 10% solution).
In addition, it is necessary:
- active detoxification: repeated gastric lavage, through a probe salt laxative, vaseline oil through a probe, activated charcoal intravenously, hemosorption; for accelerated excretion of poison - osmotic diuretics (diuretics);
- control of respiratory disorders: inhalation of oxygen, analeptics in normal doses; in respiratory arrest - artificial respiration and, in addition, antidote treatment and symptomatic therapy.
Be extremely careful!
Poisonings with hemlock occur most often due to mistakenly eating it, which is due to its similarity to edible plants. In the first year of hemlock's life, only a bunch of root leaves develop. In this condition, this weed can be confused with parsley (similar leaves and roots). Gardeners should therefore be especially cautious.
You can distinguish weed from parsley by its odor. As mentioned, hemlock has a very unpleasant mouse odor.
In its second year of life, hemlock grass is similar to borage and tansy. Because of the similarity with the latter, children are very often victims of poisoning. The hollow stem is great for making pipes and whistles. When a child takes such a whistle in his mouth, it leads to mucous membrane burns, and then, after a very short period of time - and poisoning. Symptoms: itching in the mouth, behind the sternum, numbness of the skin, dizziness, headache, visual and hearing disturbances, dilated pupils, salivation, palpitations, vomiting. If symptoms appear, an ambulance should be called immediately and the child hospitalized.
Hemlock venom is absorbed very quickly from the gastrointestinal tract. Initial symptoms of poisoning may appear in as little as 20-30 minutes: dilated pupils, salivation, repeated vomiting, shortness of breath, increased blood pressure, tachycardia, arrhythmia - and finally seizures.
Death occurs from paralysis of the respiratory center and respiratory muscles (respiratory arrest).
Take every precaution!
Care should be taken when preparing hemlock, and hands should be washed thoroughly after handling it. Warn children of the danger! When self-medicating, strictly observe the dosage. Keep hemlock medicines out of the reach of children, in special dishes with a label about the danger of the contents.
Repetition is the mother of learning
.To conclude this section, we would like to remind the reader once again of all the main signs of hemlock poisoning. When it comes to life and death, no repetition can be considered superfluous.
Symptoms are as follows:
- itching occurring in the mouth, behind the sternum, in the subgluteal region;
- pallor of the face;
- partial numbness of the skin;
- dizziness;
- headache;
- visual and hearing disturbances;
- dilation of pupils;
- salivation;
- vomiting;
- nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain;
- shortness of breath with difficulty exhaling;
- palpitations, irregular pulse;
- twitching of certain muscle groups;
- increasing muscle weakness, turning into muscle paralysis (starting with the legs). Loss of consciousness.
Provide emergency care and seek qualified medical attention immediately!
