| Abstract | A study on past toxicological activities in Singapore enabled us to capture the trends of poisons abused in this country over the last 108 years. Until the early sixties, corrosive alkali and acids, alcohol (poisoning cases), inorganic chemicals, heavy metals and plant alkaloids were the mainstay of poisons principally used. The seventies and eighties saw a swing towards pharmaceuticals. The 1988-89 data gave alcohol (poisoning cases), pharmaceuticals, household items such as detergents, hypochlorite and antiseptic, carbon monoxide, paraquat, malathion, organic solvents (toluene and xylenes) and narcotics as the mainstay of poisons encountered. The last two classes of poisons reflect the continuing problems of glue sniffing and narcotics abuse facing Singapore. |
| Authors | T C Chao, D S Lo, B C Bloodworth
(Affiliation: Institute of Science and Forensic Medicine, Singapore.)
|
| Journal | Medicine, science, and the law
(Med Sci Law)
Vol. 32
Issue 2
Pg. 139-47
(Apr 1992)
ISSN: 0025-8024 ENGLAND |
| PMID | 1614299
(Publication Type: Case Reports, Historical Article, Journal Article)
|
| Chemical References |
|
| Topics |
- Adult
- Child
- Drug and Narcotic Control
(history, organization & administration)
- Female
- History, 19th Century
- History, 20th Century
- Humans
- Male
- Poisoning
(epidemiology, history)
- Poisons
- Singapore
(epidemiology)
- Substance Abuse Detection
(history, methods)
- Substance-Related Disorders
(epidemiology, history, prevention & control)
- Toxicology
(history, trends)
|
