Specific Therapy for Salicylism

Abstract

SALICYLATES account for 4 per cent of all the fatal poisonings in the United States¹ due to solids and liquids. Mortality statistics include all forms of the drug since the toxic effects depend on the salicylate radical. Although fatal cases have been reported in adults with as little as 2 gm. of aspirin² the more usual lethal dose is in excess of 10 gm.³ Deaths from 0.3 gm.⁴ may be dismissed from the present discussion as hypersensitivity phenomena usually occurring in asthmatic patients.The major clinical manifestations of salicylate poisoning have been well described,⁵ as have many of the complications. . . .