Corrosive Poisons

(H2S04,HNO3,HCl)
 They cause coagulation necrosis by coming in
contact with tissue protein by precipitation.
 They destroys the surface with which it
comes in contact.

 They act by extracting water from the tissue

 coagulate cellular protein

 convert hemoglobin in to haematin (a bluish-
black compound derived from haemoglobin by removal of
the protein part and oxidation of the iron atom.)

 Acids do local damage extensively

 Acids do not have remote effects

 When taken in diluted form, they act as

irritant
 Gastric lavage tube should not be introduced
as it may cause perforation in the stomach
wall
 Mineral acid present in the stomach should
be neutralized by water or milk in which
calcium or magnesium oxide along with
aluminum hydroxide may be added
 Patient should not be given anything orally or
2-3 days after introduction of water or milk
 Should be treated as per treatment of burns

 they should be washed with numerous

amount of flowing water

 Locally, antiseptics and antibiotics should be

applied to infections
 Also called battery acid or oil of vitriol

 Colorless, heavy and hygroscopic(absorb

moisture from the air.)

 Mixes with water but evolves heat when

mixed

 Chars anything which comes into contact

with
• Tissues get dehydrated
• A lot of heat is produced causing acid burns,
blackening and charring
• Burning pain in mouth, throat and stomach may be
seen
• Tongue is swollen and is covered with white coating
which later becomes dark and then brown
• Teeth become chalky white in color as their polish
is gone
 Fatal dose:
It is mostly dependent on concentration.
About 5 ml of concentrated acid is sufficient
for adults

Fatal Period:
The average fatal period is 18 to 24 hr
 Mouth, lips and surrounding skin show
brown or black corroded (rotten) spots

 Blackening of stomach mucosa along with

necrosis or perforation

 Small intestine may also show corrosion or

blackening

 Fatty changes may be seen in liver and

kidney
 Used widely as it is easily available

 Accidental drinking is usually not possible

but can occur in children

 can not be used as homicidal poison

 It is clear, colorless liquid, gives fumes when
exposed to air

 Very powerful oxidizing agent and can

dissolve all metals except gold and platinum
 Due to property of nitric acid to convert
protein in to xanthoproteic acid, the lips,
tongue and mucous membrane of the mouth
is first softened and white in color and later
turned in intense yellow

 Skin and teeth also become yellow

 Yellow stain can be confirmed by addition of

ammonia water when they turned orange
 Fumes of nitric acid can cause irritation in
eyes
 Skin and mucous membrane are corroded and
yellow in color

 Stomach wall is soft and ulcerated

 Perforation is less common than sulphuric

acid

 Other features are like sulphuric acid

poisoning
 In arts and manufacturing, nitric acid is extensively
used

 Also used in cleaning ornaments

 Accidental poisoning is common among workers

 Fatal dose: 8 to 10 ml
 Fatal period: 12 to 24 hr
 Also called as muriatic acid or spirit of salts

 Colorless, gaseous liquid and has irritating

smell

 Dissolve in water easily

• Less damaging as compared to sulphuric acid
and nitric acid
• Does not stain mucous membrane
• In strong doses corrodes mucous membrane
• In large dilution it is harmless and helps in
digestion
• Perforations are rare
• Fumes when inhaled cause great irritation to
respiratory passages
 The mucous membrane affected by acid is
ash grey or black in color.
 Stomach wall is red due to gastritis caused
by acid

 Perforation is rare

 Ulceration is very common

 HCl is used in industry for chlorine
production
 Also used for dissolving metals and in
medicinal industry
 Accidental and suicidal poisoning have been
reported in workers working in industry
 Homicidal poisoning is very rare
 Fatal Dose: 15-20 ml concentrated acid
 Fatal period: 18-30 hours
 Throwing of corrosive acid by a person to disfigure
the face of another person
 Women are common victims
 Person who are jilted (Suddenly rejected) in love
may throw acid on the women to teach her a lesson
 Acid thrown on face causes severe pain, corrosion
of tissues leading to permanent scar
 Eyes may be affected.
 Corneal destruction or even blindness can result
 Immediate washing with water till pain
persists or acid is washed off

 A thick paste of magnesium oxide or

carbonate may be applied later

 Antibiotics should be given to prevent

infection
• Alkalis: NaOH, KOH
• Fatal dose – 5 – 30 g
• Fatal period – about 1 day
• Alkalis produce soft, edematous(abnormally swollen with fluid),
translucent (
semi-transparent), soap-like, swollen eschar (a dry, dark scab or
falling away of dead skin), red brown in color.
• Charring is not seen.
• Lips, mouth and throat show corrosion.
• Esophagus and stomach show inflammatory edema with
corrosion and sliminess of tissues.
• Mucosa may be brownish.
• Perforation of the stomach is rare.