TO MAKE A CHILD VOMIT
You should, of course, take precautions to make sure medications and other poisons are kept locked and out of reach of children. But even in the most careful of homes, toddlers often take advantage of the briefest opportunity to taste a forbidden substance. Maybe it will be the red berries in the back yard or the paint thinner while " helping" an adult paint a chair.
If poisoning occurs, call the Poison Control Center or your physician. If you are advised to make the child vomit, the easiest way is to give him or her a half tablespoon of Ipecac for under a year or a whole tablespoon for over a year with lots of water or milk. Results will follow in about 10 to 20 minutes.
If you have Ipecac on hand it will save frantic moments for the parents and valuable time in treatment. Ipecac can be purchased without a prescription, it keeps for years, costs less than $2.00 and it is well worth it if you need it someday.
POISON CONTROL CENTER (24 HOURS) . (800) 222-1222 ( San Francisco)
Ted Humphry 822-2441
this information last updated 09/00