The stomach may be emptied early to avoid aspiration pneumonia and the fluid should be retained for examination. It a poison is identified the antidote may be placed in the stomach after ravage. Poisoning by narcotic is common and may be fatal if treatment is delayed. If, however, the diagnosis is not in doubt it is advisable to delay gastric aspiration until respiration is adequate and a cough reflex is present but if unconsciousness lasts more than a few hours a nasal tube should be passed for administration of fluid to prevent dehydration