Goldfrank's Toxicologic Emergencies

Abstract

This fifth edition is a timely and welcome one because of recent management changes in the treatment of acute poisoning. The routine use of syrup of ipecac as the primary household emetic has been supplanted by immediately calling the Poison Control Center, which may then recommend ipecac or, more likely, other measures and actions. General management of poisoning and overdoses is more important than the use of specific antidotes. Nevertheless, important antidotes or antagonists are still useful and recommended for special situations. Each chapter ends with an in-depth discussion of the relevant antidotes for the particular type of poison. I particularly enjoyed the historical account of the birth of the Poison Control Center concept and movement, since I was a member of the first Accident Prevention Committee of the American Academy of Pediatrics when it made the survey of its 3000 members in 1952 seeking the most prevalent childhood accident.