OXALIC ACID ACID OF SUGAR

Resembles – Zinc Sulphate Magnesium Sulphate

Action: Corrosive Poison Local– on mucous membrane Rarely damages the skin Readily corrodes the mucous membrane of digestive tract Dilute solutions-poisonous & mild local irritants

Systemic Shock Hypocalcaemia Renal damage

Vomitus (contains altered blood & mucus & has “coffee ground” appearance)

Oxalic acid & serum calcium = calcium oxalate (insoluble) HYOCALCEMIA (enveloped)

CHRISTISON’S SAYING “ If a patient after swallowing a crystalline substance which tastes strongly acidic is seized almost immediately with violent vomiting, pain in the stomach, feeble pulse, cold sweats, collapses and dies within an hour or even earlier, there can be scarcely a doubt that oxalic acid has been administered”.

This verdict was given by a scientist Christison who had studied a number of cases of oxalic acid poisoning This verdict depicts criterion for clinical diagnosis of oxalic acid poisoning

TREATMENT Give milk or suspension of chalk to neutralize- (30 gms of chalk in water or milk will neutralize 20 gms of oxalic acid) Give 10% Ca gluconate- 10 ml I.V

IV fluids Maintain urine output record Demulcent drinks Symptomatic