Vitriolage

A POWER POINT PRESENTATION BY DR. SANGEETA CHOWDHRY AND DR. SUNIL SHARMA, DEPARTMENT OF FORENSIC MEDICINE AND TOXICOLOGY, GOVT. MEDICAL COLLEGE, JAMMU (JAMMU AND KASHMIR)

1. VITRIOLAGE (ACID THROWING) A POWER POINT PRESENTATION BY DR.SANGEETA CHOWDHRY & DR.SUNIL SHARMA DEPARTMENT OF FORENSIC MEDICINE & TOXICOLOGY GOVT. MEDICAL COLLEGE, JAMMU

2. DEFINATION This means throwing of any corrosive; not necessarily sulphuric acid, on a person with malicious intent.

3. “GRIEVOUS HURT”. It is a violent assault. It is commonly seen when a person with the object of destroying vision or disfigurement of the face. This amounts to “Grievous hurt”. Women are common victims

4. COMMONLY CORROSIVES USED Sulphuric acid (oil of vitriol) is most commonly used and for this purpose the name given is Vitriolage. Nitric acid and carbolic acid are sometimes also used. The use of caustic soda, caustic potash, iodine, and marking nut juice has also been recorded.

5. MOTIVE A person who is jilted in love may throw acid on the woman to teach her a lesson. Usually the acid i.e. sulphuric acid is collected in a bulb and is thrown on the person while moving on a cycle or a motorcycle.

6. EFFECTS OF CORROSIVES This produces severe chemical burns. This are characterised by discoloration and staining of skin and clothing, ( brown or black in sulphuric acid and yellow in nitric acid ), trickle marks, absence of vesication and red line of demarcation, and presence of the chemical substance in the stains.

7. EFFECTS ON EYES Eyes may also be affected. Corneal destruction or even blindness can result

8. PERMANENT SCAR The acid thrown on face causes severe pain, corrosion of tissues leading to permanent scar

9. TREATMENT The treatment includes immediate washing with water and a soap or dilute solution of sodium or potassium bicarbonate till pain persists or acid is washed off. Later on a thick paste of magnesium oxide or carbonate may be applied. The raw surface may afterwards be covered with antibiotic ointment. Oral antibiotics should be given to prevent infection. The wound may be dressed later on. Sometimes, skin grafting is needed to replace the damaged skin. Washing injuries with water and a soap or dilute solution of sodium or potassium bicarbonate

10. TREATMENT If eyes are involved, they should be immediately washed with water followed by irrigation with 1% solution of sodium bicarbonate. A few drops of olive oil are then instilled into the eyes. Eye drops containing antibiotics and steroids are helpful. 1% solution of sodium bicarbonate Instillation with Olive oil Antibiotics and steroids

11. Accidental contact with sulphuric acid is possible in people working in factories and manufacturing establishments where acid is used.

12. THANK YOU