TOXIC- Means poison

OLOGY- Science

TOXICOLOGY-is that branch of science which treats of poisons, their origin,

physical and chemical properties, physiological action, treatment of their
noxious effect and methods of detection
classification of poison
According to Kingdom
a. Animal ex. Cantharides
b. Vegetable ex. Strychnine
c. Mineral ex. Hydrochloric acid
according to chemical properties
2. According to chemical properties
A. Inorganic Poison
a. volatile and non volatile- ex. Bromine, chlorine, iodine, sulfuric acid
b. mineral acid- ex. Hydrochloric acid
c. mineral alkali ex. Sodium chloride
B. organic poison
a. volatile- ex. alcohol, chloroform
b. alkaloids- ex. strychnine
c. animal poison- ex. snake venom
d. bacterial- ex-ptomaine
e. organic poison- ex. salicylic acid
f. glucosides -ex digitalis

according to physiological action

Corrosives - highly irritant poisons which causes local i destruction of tissues.
and characterized by nausea, vomiting, great local distress. Ex. strong acids
& alkalis
irritants - one which produces imitation or inflammation of the mucus

membrane and characterized by vomiting, pain in abdomen, and purging.

Ex.
arsenic
narcotics - poisons which produce wiper., complete insensibility, or loss of
feeling. Ex. opium, Demerol, cocaine
neurotics - one which act chiefly on the nervous system producing delirium,
convulsion, and respiration as the outstanding symptoms. Ex. CO, alcohol.
opium, strychnine
tetanics - substances which act directly upon the spinal column producing
such spasmodic and continuous contraction of muscles as a result of
stiffness
or immobility of the parts to which they are attached.
Depressants or sedatives - agents which retard or depress the physiological
of an organ. Ex. nicotine, cocaine
asthenics or exhaustive - agents which produce exhaustion marked loss of
vital or muscular power
. Ex, hydrocyanic acid

4. according to pharmacological action

1. substance characterized by local action. Ex. volatile oils, skin irritants
2.substances characterized by their action after absorption. Ex. alkaloid
3.heavy metals and metalloids - ex. phosphorous, arsenic, mercury
5. according to methods of isolation
a. volatile poisons and those isolated by distillation with or without current of
steam. Ex. alcohol, phenol, chloroform b. non-volatile poisons - those that are isolated by extraction with organic
solvents. Ex. alkaloids, organic acid ,
c. metallic poisons - ex. arsenic, mercury
d. substances for which special method of isolation are required. Ex. acid s
an

alkali metals are extracted with water.

Type of poisoning
a. from the medical point of view b. from the legal point of view

POISONING FROM MEDICAL POINT OF VIEW

1.acute poisoning - one in which there is prompt and marked disturbance of
function or
death within a short time. Due to either taking a strong poison in excessive
single
doses of several doses at short interval.
2. sub-acute poisoning - cases of short duration and extreme violence which
may
include symptoms of chronic poisoning.
3. Chronic poisoning - kind of poisoning, in which there is gradual
deterioration of
function of tissues and may or may not result in death. It is produced by
either taking
Several small doses at long intervals or taking only toxic doses of the drug.

TYPE of poisoning from legal point of view

1.accidental poisoning - those which the poison was taken without intention
to cause death. it may be taken by mistake or without knowing that it is
poisonous.
2.suicidal poisoning -those in which the poison was taken by the victim
voluntarily for the purpose of taking his own life.
3.homicidal poisoning-those in which the poison was given willfully, want
only, and with intent to cause death to the victim.
4.undetermined- those in which the history is hazy as to how the poison was
obtained and why it was administered.

action of poison

a. local- the change or disturbance produced on the part with which the
Poison comes in contact ex.
the corrosion produced by corrosive poisons
b. remote- the changes or disturbance produced in distant parts away from
the Site of application ex.
Ex. dilation of the pupils when belladonna is taken orally
c. combined-the effect of the poison is not only localized at the site but also
affects remote
organs. Ex. phenol causes corrosion of the gastro-intestinal tract (local) and
causes
convulsion (action on the cord.)

CONDITION MODIFYING THE ACTION POISON

1. Those attributed to the individual
2.those which are attributed to the poison.
THOSE ATTRIBUTED TO THE INDIVIDUAL
1. age and sex
2. health
3. habit- the repeated taking of small dose of drug
4.idiosyncrasy- a term applied to the individuals who exhibit unsual reaction
to certain substance.
5.diseases
6.food.
7.sleep
8.exhaustion

THOSE ATTRIBUTED TO THE POISON

1. physical state or form of the poisons
2.dilution.

5. chemical combination
6. mechanical combination

3. solubility of the poisons

to be administered at one time.

7. dose - is the quantity of a poison

4. mode of administration.

POSOLOGY - a branch of science which treats of the form and quantity of

medicine to
be administered within a certain period.

KIND OF DOSE
1.safe dose - one that does not cause harmful effect
2. toxic or poisonous dose - one that is harmful to both healthy and sick.
3.lethal dose - one that kills.
4. minimum dose - is the smallest amount that will produce the therapeutic
effect without
causing harm.
5.maximum dose - is the largest amount that will cause no harm but at the
same
the desired therapeutic effect.

entrance of poison
POISON MAY ENTER TIES BODY Trough
1.mouth and are absorbed into the circulation after passing through the
stomach and
intestinal wall.
2. nose and enter the blood from the upper respiratory passages or lungs
3. eyes
4.rectum, vagina, urethra, bladder and ureter by injection
5.hypodermic injection
6.intravenous injection
ELIMINATION OF POISONS

POISONS MAY BE ELIMINATED BY.

1.emesis
2.respiration
3.feces
4.urine

5.milk
6.saliva
7.sweat
8.tears

DIAGNOSIS OF POISONING BEFORE DEATH - Diagnosis of poisoning before

death
is very difficult because of
1. the large number of poisons and the factors modifying them
2. some of the symptoms observed in eases of poisoning are also seen in
certain
diseases.
DISTINGUISHING POISONING FROM DISEASE
1. Symptoms. of poisoning some suddenly upon a person who previously has
been
good health, while disease is usually preceded by a number of hours, days cr
even
weeks of local or general disposition.
2. In case of poisoning, the symptoms commonly make their appearances
after taking of
foods or medicine.
3. If several persons take the same food and drinks, they should all show
similar
symptoms.
4. Diseases are generally much slower in their progress and are preceeded
by
circumstances as exposure, recognized symptoms and general of local
indisposition
duration.
SYMPTOMS CAUSED BY POISONING AND, DISEASE
1.Vomiting (frequently associated with purging and abdominal pain)

POISON: arsenic, antimony, corrosive acid and alkali, barium, cantharides

digitalis, copper, iodine, mercury, phosphorous, phenols wood alcohol.
DISEASE: gastritis, gastro-enteritis, cholera, acidosis, early Stage of
pregnancy,
brain tumor
GENERAL TREATMENT OF POISONING
1.Removal of poison from the stomach
2.Administration of antidotes
3.Elimination of poisons by excretion
4.Stimulation and other symptomatic treatment
5.Special treatment
REMOVAL OF POISON FROM THE STOMACH-if the poison is taken orally the
removal of the poison
is brought about by:
1.inducing vomiting using emetics.
EMETIC- a substance or agent which produces vomiting
2. use of stomach pump or stomach tube
if the poison is applied or instilled - wash
if the poison is injected - ligatures and bleeding
ANTIDOTES - agents which neutralize a poison or otherwise counteract or
oppose it or
its effect.
KINDS OF ANTIDOTES
1.Mechanical antidote
2.Chemical antidote
3.Physiolgical antidote
1. Mechanical ANTIDOTE - an agent that removes the poison without
changing or
coats the surface of the organ so that absorption is prevented.
EX. OF MECHANICAL ANTIDOTE

1. stomach tubes or pumps

3. Cathanics

2.emetics

5 .precipitants

4.demulcents

classes of emetics:
1.local emetics -- produce their effects by their irritation of the terminal
nerve filaments of the pharynx, esophagus or stomach
2.system or general emetics - produce their effects through the medium of
circulation.
CATHARTICS agents produce intestinal evacuation
Demulcents-these substance which soothe and protect the Which they are
applied
PRECIPITANTS - these are substances which prevent absorption of poisons by
precipitating them and rendering them soluble.

2.Chemical ANTIDOTES- Substance that make the poison harmless by

chemically altering it. .
3. PHYSIOLOGICAL ANTIDOTE - sometimes called ANTAGONIST. An agent that
acts upon the system so as to counteract the effect of the poison. It merely
mask the
symptoms produced.
ELIMINATION OF POISONS BY EXCRETION -- Poisons are eliminates through
excretory organs. Made by intravenous infusion of saline solution, dilute
alkali
solution or dilute solution of glucose. The poison is generally excreted
through
the urine feces vomits or saliva
SIMULATION OF OTHER SYMPTOMATIC TREATMENT
1.for excessive pain- morphine or another analgesic
2.for convulsion- chloroform
3.for shock - oxygen inhalation

SPECIAL TREATMEN
A. If the poison is gas. - immediate need is fresh air and artificial respiration.
B. If poisoning is external. like bum on the hand by concentrated acid - wash
with plenty of water or with alcohol
sodium bicarbonate, lime water, milk magnesia.
C. if alkali burn -- wash with lemon or other citrus fruits.
D. if the poison has come a bite or injection - the poison can be checked from
spreading through the body by applying tourniquet or a restricting band
tightly above
the Wound. This retards the absorption of poison by the blood. The poison
may then
be remove by sucking.

INVESTIGATION OF FATAL CASAES

In the investigation of fatal poisoning cases, it is not necessary that an
investigator should
on the poisons, since he will be assisted in his investigation by a medicolegal officer
and a toxicologist, but it is important and will be of great help to him if he
knows the
following:
1.symptoms of various kinds of poisoning
2.the lethal dose of the poison
3.the length of time that may elapse alter the poison has been taken before
death occurs
4.where the poison was obtained
5.the chemical formula of the poison
6.other names it is known in the market.
7.uses of poison
8.antidote for the poison.

EVIDENNCE OF THE POISON IN THE LIVING BODY

The evidence of poisoning will depend upon whether the poisoning is acute
or
Chronic. in acute poisoning the symptoms appear suddenly While the
Individual is in good health.
The person is usually affected with a group of symptoms of a definite
out of consonance with his previous state of health. In chronic poisoning the
onset
of symptoms is more gradual and insidious due to the small quantity of
poison which has
been administered on such occasion since the intention of the poisoner to kill
his victim
slowly in order to avert suspicion.

EVIDENCE OF POISONING IN THE DEAD

in all cases of poisoning whether homicidal or suicidal, fatal or not ,presence
of poison
must be proved and proofs of poisoning in the dead may be obtained from;
1.POST-MORTEM EXAMINATION OR AUTOPSY - an examination of a
dead body especially to determine the cause of death.
2. EVIDENCE FROM CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF The ORGANS TAKEN
FROM THE BODY - The most important proof of poisoning is the detection
of the poison within the body. In some cases, however, on account of the
decomposition of the tissue, the lapse of time between death and
examination,
and the instability of some poisons, negative results maybe obtained even if
the time of death certain poisons are present.

POST-MORTEM APPEARANCE

POISON INDICATED

1. Lesion of the mouth

a. blackening and severe corrosion

sulfuric acid

B. Brownish yellow stain

strong mineral acids, oxalic

acids, Lysol, carbolic

acid
c .corrosion and softening of tissue
of mouth and throat
D. severe corrosion without blackening
E. severe corrosion and yellow stain

alkalis
hydrochloric acid
nitric acid

F. lips swollen tongue raw, esophagus with red

cracks, bronchopneumonia if death is delayed

ammonia

INTERPRETATION OF TOXICOLOGICAL ANALYSIS

REASONS FOR NEGATIVE RESULTS OF THE TOXICOLOGICAL EXAMINATION.
1.SOME POISONS may be rapidly altered in the body to a form which is not
detectable by the methods
of analysis employed.
2.some poisons with or without previous chemical change maybe rapidly
excreted although its toxic
effect remains, and may only be detectable in the urine but not in the body
tissue organ.
3. Sometimes symptoms of poisoning may appear, which maybe fatal
following
the administration even small and ordinarily harmless quantity of a
substance class as poison.

FORENSIC QUESTIONS FOR THE TOXICOLOGIST TO ANSWER OR EXPLAIN.

1. was the death or illness of the subject caused by the poison?
2.what poison produced the illness or death?
3.when and how was the poison administered?
4.could the substance administered cause illness or death?
5.was the poison found by the toxicologist in the body the poison which
caused death?

6.Is the substance given in minute quantity a poison?

7.was the poison taken in sufficient quantity to produce death?
8.may be poisoning have occurred the poison either be or become
undetectable?
9.may be the poison extracted from the body have an origin other than that
of poisoning?
10.may be the poisoning be stimulated?

PRESERVATION OF SPECIMEN FOR TOXICOLOGICAL EXAMINATION

1.blood-plcae in 3 test tube with sodium oxalate or anticoagulant.
2.refrigerated With solid carbon dioxide (dry ice) good for 72 hours.
3. Chemical preservatives- 100 cc of ethyl alcohol (95%) for each grams of
sample
and extra 250 cc for analysis.
4. Do not use denatured alcohol, rubbing alcohol or similar preservative since
denaturants will give false and misleading results in the analysis.
5. Formalin - extremely undesirable as preservative of specimen for
toxicological
examination since it will seriously interfere With the test for most organic
poisons.

LABORATORY METHODS USED IN TOXICOLOGICAL ANALYSIS

1.Physical test
2. Crystalline test
3. Chemical test
4. Spectrophotometric test
5.Chromatographic test

LAWS REGARDING SALE AND STORAGE OF POISON- The laws controlling the
sale and storage

of poisons are found under Sections 755 to 757 of the Administrative code.

1.Sec. 755 -Provisions relative to dispensing of violent poisons like arsenic,

cyanide, atropine
cocaine, morphine, strychnine
2.Sec. 756-Provisions relative to dispensing of less violent poisons like
aconite, belladonna, cantharides
digitalis, ergot, carbolic acid, chloroform.
3.Sec. 757-Receptacle for poisonous drugs

THREE STAGES IN CHLOROFORM POISONING BY INHALATION

1.Stage of excitement
2.stage of surgical anesthesia
3.stage of paralysis