1. OXALIC ACID
ACID OF SUGAR

2. Resembles – Zinc Sulphate
Magnesium Sulphate

3. 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

4. Systemic
Shock
Hypocalcaemia
Renal damage

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

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

7. 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”.

8. 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

9. 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

10. IV fluids
Maintain urine output record
Demulcent drinks
Symptomatic