Gas Poisoning
Various poisonous gases that may be inhaled accidentally are carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, ammonia vapor, inflammable gases, etc. gases in the exhaust of a car or running engine in an enclose space, and gases coming from burning stoves in closed space are carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. It can also occur in a refrigeration plant or cold storage. Cooking gas may leak from cylinders or faulty connections. These gases reduce the amount of oxygen in inhaled air. Carbon monoxide also affects the oxygen carrying capacity of the by binding to hemoglobin itself.
The condition is diagnosed by the following features.
- Cyanosis is seen.
- Dizziness is present.
- Fall in blood pressure and pulse rate. There may be circulatory collapse.
- Consciousness may be lost.
- Meiosis is seen. Twitching and convulsions may be present.
First Aid
- Open the windows to ventilate the room before attempting to rescue a victim of gas poisoning from a closed room.
- Avoid switching on electric light or striking a match, because that may cause an explosion of the gas, if I is inflammable.
- Remove the patient from the site of the accident to an airy and well-ventilated place immediately. Cover your nose with a handkerchief while rescuing the victim from a gas- filled room.
- Give oxygen through a face mask.
- Give artificial respiration if there is respiratory arrest.
- Shift him to a hospital immediately.
