These acids may prove fatal without entering the stomach by causing asphyxia, the chink of the glottis becoming closed by swelling of the fauces, &c. They have sometimes been administered by the vagina, rectum, &c., and been poured into the ear during sleep.
Where recovery takes place from their immediate effects there is always fear of death resulting at the end of one or two years from stricture of the œsophagus, and even at an earlier period, unless proper treatment is adopted. Occasionally one of the secondary effects of sulphuric acid has been profuse salivation.
The _post-mortem appearances_ are the following: The body may have a healthy appearance. Usually there are stains about the mouth, fingers, and wherever the cuticle has been reached by the acid. The inner surface of the mouth, fauces, and œsophagus, is usually white and corroded, or dark brown and shrivelled, the mucous coat being easily detached. The epiglottis and glottis are usually swollen. The gullet resembles the mouth in most respects. The outer surface of the stomach and intestines is very vascular, that of the former being sometimes corroded and occasionally perforated. The stomach is sometimes contracted, sometimes distended with gas, and contains a thick, dark brown fluid; its inner surface has a charred, blackened appearance, the mucous membrane between the rugæ being of a scarlet hue. The pylorus is mostly contracted; while the inner coat of the duodenum and small intestines presents a similar appearance, in a less degree, to that of the stomach. When perforation occurs it usually takes place posteriorly, and the edges of the rent are softened. The escaped matters may have acted on the adjacent viscera.
According to Casper, after poisoning by sulphuric acid the bodies resist putrefaction for some time, owing perhaps to the acid neutralizing the ammonia of decomposition. It may be the same with the other mineral acids.
_Treatment._—Bicarbonate of soda, or calcined magnesia, or the carbonate of magnesia, should be immediately given, mixed in milk or any mucilaginous fluid; the doses being continued at short intervals, until it may be inferred that the acid is neutralized. In the absence of these remedies substitutes may be found in chalk, whiting, soap and water, or the plaster of the apartment beaten up with water. Oleaginous and mucilaginous fluids, as olive oil, linseed tea, barley water, milk gruel, &c., may be freely given, either alone, or as the vehicles of the antidote. The success of this treatment will depend upon the promptitude with which it is adopted.