University of Virginia Library

Medical Center Gives Aid
In Many Poisoning Cases

More than 160 poison cases were
treated last year at the University of
Virginia Medical Center.

In addition, the Medical Center's
poison control center helped numerous
physicians and hospitals in the area treat
poisoning by providing emergency information
on contents of various products
and their antidotes.

"Most poisonings occur in preschool
age children," says Dr. William I. Neikirk,
assistant professor of pediatrics, director
of the poison control center and a member of
the local committee for National Poison
Prevention Week.

Across the nation, the vast majority of
preschool poisonings are due to aspirin
overdoses, he says. "Aspirin is a common
medication in most households; children are
used to taking aspirin and seeing adults take
aspirin, and they think nothing of swallowing
several tablets in playing."

Unlike national finds, poisonings in Albemarle
and surrounding counties seem caused
primarily by hydrocarbons, such as kerosene,
gasoline and cleaning fluids, Dr. Neikirk says.

When a parent discovers a child has taken
poison, he should call or rush the child to his
doctor immediately, carrying along the container
for the doctor to examine. The specific
container may give the formula of ingredients
thereby allowing the physician to prescribe the
most effective treatment with a minimum of
delay.

Many times children swallow fluids left by
parents in unmarked containers such as cups
and soft drink bottles, and then the physician
has to "try a little detective work," says Dr.
Neikirk.

If there is delay in getting medical help, he
suggests inducing vomiting by giving the child
syrup of ipecac Available for approximately a
dollar in drug stores, small bottles of ipecac are
being sold for about half price by many local
drug stores during National Poison Prevention
Week.

If the poison swallowed is a petroleum
product (kerosene, gasoline, lighter fluid) or a
caustic substance (ammonia, household bleach,
rust remover), however, vomiting should not be
induced unless recommended by a physician.