Communications from the national National Clearinghouse for Poison Control Centers
- 1 April 1961
- journal article
- research article
- Published by American Medical Association (AMA) in American Journal of Diseases of Children
- Vol. 101 (4) , 536-537
- https://doi.org/10.1001/archpedi.1961.04020050126019
Abstract
Poisoning from the accidental ingestion of camphor preparations has been reported for almost half a century. Benz1reported 20 such cases in 1919, and Craig2in 1953 reported 12 childhood deaths in Great Britain from camphor poisoning over a 20-year period. Camphor is a member of a group of hydroaromatic substances called "terpenes" and is both obtained naturally and prepared synthetically.3It is presently used in a number of topical preparations where its therapeutic use is chiefly one of local irritation.4 Camphor poisoning is still a problem in the United States, according to reports received by the National Clearinghouse for Poison Control Centers. The product most commonly ingested is camphorated oil (20% camphor), but several common liniments also contain camphor. In the 2-year period, 1958-1959, 185 ingestions were reported, 134 of which were known to be by children under 5 years old. In the 97 casesThis publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: