OXALIC ACID
ACID OF SUGAR

Resembles – Zinc Sulphate
Magnesium Sulphate
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

Systemic
a. Shock
b. Hypocalcaemia
c. Renal damage
Vomitus (contains altered blood & mucus & has
“coffee ground” appearance)
Oxalic acid & serum calcium = calcium
oxalate (insoluble) HYOCALCEMIA (enveloped)
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”.

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
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

IV fluids

Maintain urine output record

Demulcent drinks

Symptomatic