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Or we may think that those pills the doctor gave dad for his gout might be just the thing for Auntie Jane's painful toes when next she stays with us. Either destroy medicines left over, or give them back to the chemist or doctor. Probably the most common cause of accidental poisoning is due to the careless way we store liquids. This is very true of the pesticides we often keep in the greenhouse or shed.
This latter can be the most lethal room in the house.
There are also a lot of cleaning fluids which are kept most casually - anywhere, or in all kinds of bottles or tins. Paraffin and petrol are two of the worst examples of this sort of carelessness. Remember, too, that labels rub off or drop off.
Detergents are often stored in ridiculous containers; and so are sleeping tablets. The latter are now so common that it has been estimated half the population take them at one time or another.
Women's handbags are often very dangerous for children. Aspirin and iron pills are often jumbled up with brushes, used bus or parking tickets, and the Pill. Young ladies under ten do not need, or benefit from, the latter.
Poisoning is an increasing tragedy in modern life; but the sad thing is that it is nearly always avoidable.Teacher: Michael Many articles taken from 'A word with the doctor', by Dr. John Windsor.
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