Poisoning by the Volatile Oils in Childhood

The volatile oils play an important part in accidental poisoning in childhood, as can be seen from the figures quoted in a recent review (Craig and Fraser, 1953).The purpose of the present paper is to draw attention to the dangers of this form of poisoning, on which the recent literature is scanty, to suggest measures for its treatment and control, and to consider any points which may be applicable to the wider field of poisoning as a whole.Craig and Fraser showed that, of 502 cases of accidental poisoning in childhood which had occurred in Edinburgh and Aberdeen between 1931 and 1951, the common toxic agents were volatile oils in 74 cases, household disinfectants in 39, barbiturates in 36, kerosene in 31 and iron in 24.The group of acids and alkalies caused only 11 cases.Of 454 deaths from accidental poisoning in childhood which had occurred in Britain during a similar period, 54 were caused by the volatile oils, the next commonest being strychnine in 41, acids and alkalies in 39, iron in 31 and disinfectants in 28.Only 10 deaths were due to barbiturate poisoning.That the volatile oils should top both the morbidity and mortality figures is surprising, considering the relatively slight attention which has been paid to this group.