CORROSIVE POISONS

(MINERAL ACIDS)

DR.R.H.SUKHERA
 CORROSIVE POISONS
 Corrosives are the poisons that fixes,
destroys & causes erosion of the surface
coming in its contact.

 MINERAL ACIDS:

1. SULPHURIC ACID(OIL OF VITRIOL)

2. NITRIC ACID(AQUA FORTIS)
3. HYDROCHLORIC ACID
 MODE OF ACTION
 Local action:
 No remote effect on the system

 Concentrated form:
 Erosion & destruction of the tissues.

 Extraction of water from the tissues.

 Converts hemoglobin into Hematin.

 Coagulation necrosis:

 Precipitation
of proteins
 Mucosa of the esophagus is relatively resistant to the acids.

 Mucous membrane of stomach esp. pyloric region is very sensitive & necrosis

commonly occurs here.

 Corrosives act as irritants & when diluted act
as stimulants.

 Complications develop from three weeks to

three months of ingestion.
 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SULPHURIC ACID NITRIC ACID HYDROCHLORIC ACID
PURE FORM: PURE FORM: PURE FORM:
Colorless with no Colorless Colorless
fumes.
Commercial form: Clear liquid: Fuming liquid:
Dark or brown in color Gives fumes when Natural constituent of
due to impurities like exposed to air. stomach & intestine.
lead sulphate, arsenic
or nitric acid.
Chocking odour Strong pungent
irritating odour
 USES
SULPHURIC ACID NITRIC ACID HYDROCHLORIC ACID

1.Preparing chlorine 1.Dissolve all metals Same as Sulphuric

except gold & Acid
platinum.
2.Dissolving metals 2.Destroys organic
matters by forming
XANTHOPROTEIC
ACID.
3.For cleansing drains
4.For medicinal
purposes
5.To remove fur from
kettles.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
SULPHURIC ACID NITRIC ACID HYDROCHLORIC ACID

1.Pain & burning 1.Similar to sulphuric 1.Less active than the

in mouth, throat, acid poisoning. other two.
esophagus & stomach.
2.Corrosion & 2.Charring of the 2.Does not corrode or
brownish discoloration tissues. damage the skin.
of skin over angles of
mouth, chin & over the
chest.
3.VOMITING: 3.Perforation of 3.Mucus membrane
Contains blood, mucus stomach does not changes to brown or
& shreds of mucus occur. black.
membrane.
4.ORAL CAVITY: 4.Lips, tongue & 4. INHALATION OF
Softened, brownish mucus membrane FUMES:
black discoloration. become soft initially Irritation,
 SULPHURIC ACID NITRIC ACID HYDROCHLORIC ACID
Full of secretions 5.Clothing is also 5.Chronic poisoning of
(saliva, blood & stained yellow. fumes:
mucus). Coryza,
Difficult speech & Conjunctivitis,
swallowing. Corneal ulcers,
Can cause death from Pharyngitis,
Asphyxia. Inflammation of gums
5.TONGUE:
Swollen, initially white
coating and then dark
colored.
Shapeless pulpy mass.
6.TEETH: 6.TEETH: 6.Loosening of teeth.
DEAD CHALKY WHITE. YELLOW STAINED.
7.DEHYDRATION: 7.Abdomen more
Attempt to drink water tense & tender due to
 SULPHURIC ACID NITRIC ACID HYDROCHLORIC ACID
8.EXTREME DYSPHAGIA 8.Oligouria & anuria. Dyspnoea
9.VOICE: INHALATION OF Cyanosis
Husky, Hoarse voice FUMES:
Painful speech
Irritation of eyes.
10.ASPHYXIA: Sneezing
Glottic edema Pnotophobia
Aspiration Burning in the throat
11.CONSTIPATION Cough
12.URINE OUTPUT: Feeling of constriction
Reduced & painful. in the chest
13.GENERAL CONDITION Dyspnoea
OF COLLAPSE: Death can occur
Cold clammy skin immediately due to
Decreased B.P glottis edema,
Increased & feeble pulse pulmonary edema &
 FATAL PERIOD

SULPHURIC ACID NITRIC ACID HYDROCHLORIC ACID

12 to 24 hours 12 to 24 hours 18 to 24 hours

 FATAL DOSE

SULPHURIC ACID NITRIC ACID HYDROCHLORIC ACID

10 to 15 ml 10 to 15 ml 15 to 20 ml
 AUTOPSY FINDINGS
 Depends upon quantity, strength of acid &
time of survival.
SULPHURIC ACID NITRIC ACID HYDROCHLORIC ACID
EXTERNAL FINDINGS: SIMILAR TO SIMILAR TO
SULPHURIC ACID: SULPHURIC ACID:

1.Brownish black, 1.Tissues are 1.Less tendency to

corroded spots over chin, stained yellow. charring & tissue
cheek, neck & chest. destruction
2.Corrosion of lips, 2.Oesophagus & 2.Mucus membrane
mouth & tongue. stomach are ashy grey in color
brownish black due
to acid Hematin.
3.CHALKY WHITE TEETH 3.congested,oedem 3.Stomach contains
atous & inflamed brownish acidic fluid
 SULPHURIC ACID SULPHURIC ACID HYDROCHLORIC ACID

INTERNAL FINDINGS: 4.Mucosa is corroded

& grayish white in
color.
1.Limited to upper GIT 5.Perforation is rare.
& Respiratory system.
2.Inflammed & swollen
mucus membrane.
Severe interstitial
hemorrhage.
3.Perforation of
stomach.
4.Mucus membrane of 5.Peritoneal cavity
stomach inflamed & filled with acidic
edematous. stomach contents.
 SULPHURIC ACID NITRIC ACID HYDROCHLORIC ACID

7.Duodenum shows
evidence of irritation.
8.Thoracic &
abdominal viscera
blackened.
9.Corrosion of larynx
& trachea.
10.DELAYED DEATHS:
Esophageal strictures
Fatty degeneration
Toxic swelling of liver
& kidney.
DIAGNOSIS
SULPHURIC ACID NITRIC ACID HYDROCHLORIC ACID

1.Haemoconcentration CHEMICAL TESTS: CHEMICAL TESTS:

in RBCs
2.CXR(PA-VIEW) 1.When ammonia 1.When mixed with
Diffuse mottling of water is added to silver nitrate → white
lung fields. yellow stains → it precipitate of silver
turns to yellow. chloride is formed.
CHEMICAL TESTS: 2.When iodide &
ammonia is added →
stains disappear.
i)Sulphuric acid mixed 3.When bile &
with barium nitrate or ammonia is added→
chloride. no change
White precipitate of
barium sulphate
produced.
II)Strong sulphuric acid 4.If strong solution of
 GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF TREATMENT

 Maintenance of airway, breathing &circulation.

 Gastric lavage & Emesis → Contraindicated.
 Drink plenty of water containing full tablespoon
of calcium oxide, magnesium oxide or
aluminum hydroxide gel for dilution of acids.
 Demulcents:
Vegetable oil, soap solutions, milk, lime water,
white of an egg, followed by water & olive oil.
 30gm of Bismuth Subcarbonate should be
given.
 Inj. Morphine 15mg i/m or i/v.
 Blood transfusion if needed.
 Tracheotomy if edematous glottis.
 Prevention of esophageal strictures:
Corticosteroids
½ inch mercury filled bougie should be passed daily.
 Skin burns:
 Wash with large quantities of water.
 Paste of sodium bicarbonate.
 PRECAUTIONS:
 Strong alkalis should be avoided like

carbonates & bicarbonates of sodium &

potassium.
 REASON:
 They produce CO2 & can cause distention &

perforation.
COMPLICATIONS & CAUSES OF DEATH

TIME CAUSES

WITHIN 1ST FEW HOURS SHOCK/GLOTTIC OEDEMA

WITHIN 24 HOURS PERFORATION OF STOMACH

→PERITONITIS→SHOCK
WITHIN 1ST FEW WEEKS SEPTIC ABSORPTION

AFTER MONTHS OR YEARS MALNUTRITION ,

INCURABLE DYSPEPSIA
MEDICOLEGAL IMPORTANCE/ASPECTS
SULPHURIC ACID NITRIC ACID HYDROCHLORIC ACID

1.Accidental poisoning 1.Accidental poisoning 1.Suicidal poisoning

common.
2.Suicidal poisoning 2.Suicidal poisoning 2.Few cases of
accidental poisoning
3.Not used for 3.Rarely homicidal 3.Used for erasing
homicidal purposes. writing.
4.Acts as an
Abortifacient when
injected into vagina.
5.Used for VITRIOLAGE
6.Jealousy in cases of
VITRIOLAGE OR VITRIOL THROWING
 DEFINATION:
 Throwing of (strong sulphuric acid, concentrated
mineral acids, corrosive alkalis, carbolic acid or
the juice of marking nut) over the face or body of
the victim for the purpose of disfiguring the face,
destroying the vision or even destroying the
clothing of the victim.
 Jealous persons do this when they hate or to the
enemy.
 EFFECTS
 Severe burning pain.
 Corrosion of the tissues.
 Brownish black burned areas.
 Leave permanent scar.
 Stains on skin & cloth.
 Yellowish → nitric acid
 Brownish black → sulphuric acid
 Blindness
 Disfiguring injuries
 Death may occur from shock, infection.
 TREATMENT
 1.Wash with plenty of water or soap solution.
 2.Apply thick paste of magnesium oxide or carbonate.
 3.Cover the affected surface with Tannic acid jelly or
Soframycin or Penicillin gauze dressing.
 4.Wash the eyes with plenty of water.
 5.Irrigate the eyes with 5gm of sodium carbonate + one
ounce of water.
 6.put few drops of castor or olive oil into the eye.
 7.CORNEAL ULCERS:
Atropine ointment, hydrocortisone & antibiotics.
 MEDICOLEGAL IMPORTANCE
1. Blindness amounts to grievous injury.

2. Scar tissue formation amounts to grievous

injury.

3. Dangerous injuries due to vitriolage.

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