Toxicology is a particular branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of the adverse effects of various types of poisons on the human body. Toxicology can be broadly classified into three main categories, namely experimental toxicology, clinical toxicology and environmental toxicology. The substances used by toxicologists to reverse the bad effects that poisons tend to have on the body are known as antidotes. The first step that is involved in the treatment of poisons is to identify the nature of the poison, based on which the suitable form of medication and treatment are meted out. In India, poisoning frequently occurs as a means of committing suicide and also through snake bites. The problem is widespread in both urban and rural areas. Unfortunately, lack of awareness among people and the absence of proper medical care hamper the toxicological treatment process and leads to a high rate of mortality. Some of the important steps to control the spread of a poison within the body include induction of vomiting, gastric lavage and use of activated charcoal. While dialysis, cathartics and alteration of the pH of urine are common forms of treatment, some widely used antidotes that act against poisons include atropine, ethyl alcohol, milk and oxygen gas. Hide this