Emetic

[Tilly2]

Is sal volatile still used as an emetic?
Horrible childhood memories of this stuff came flooding back when I saw it mentioned as an ingredient for Queen cakes in last week's Guardian magazine. It seems a funny thing to put in a cake mixture.

[Sqad]

Oddly enough Tilly although sal volatile IS an emetic, I have never associated it with that function, as to me it was always called "smelling salts" and was in the bag of St John's ambulance men to treat syncopal attacks (fainting)

As far as i remember it was never a popular emetic for the medical profession as other emetics taken by mouth as well as stomach "washout" seemed to be more effective.

[Tilly2]

Thank you, Sqad. Perhaps I am mixing it up with something else.

I just remember my Mum having a bottle of liquid which she called Sal Vol-at-elly, which she would give to me, in water, whenever I said I felt sick. Whatever it was, it was definitely an emetic. I hated it. That and Virol cod liver oil and malt which she used to force down my throat. Ugh!

[Sqad]

Tilly....no, you are quite correct.......it IS an emetic.

[furrypusscat]

My friend always has it in her bag to clear nasal catarrh but yes squad, I was with St Johns and I had it in my bag for many years to assist with patients who felt faint.

[Sqad]

furry...LO brings back memories....... boring perhaps.

I couldn't wait to join the St Johns ambulance......aged 13 years i think, studied, took the tests and was then given a hat and a bag and to this day remember putting a bottle of sal volatile in it with a roll of 2" bandage and felt really important.

The highlight was when i attended a football match with an adult who was dressed in FULL St Johns ambulance uniform...Peterborough United versus Frickley Colliery and the crowd cheered as we both ran onto the pitch to attend an injured player.

Fantastic.

[Tilly2]

Did you get to wear the full uniform, Sqad?

[Sqad]

Tilly....no....never.......;-(

[furrypusscat]

I did 25 years, 19 was running a cadet division and latter years I was Child Protection Officer for the County. I really had some enjoyable times. Most of my duties were banger racing. Hung my hat up after 25 and concentrated on Girl Guides. Really good memories though. Re emetic, not surprised when it is made up of diluted ammonia used for cleaning, erghh.

[Sqad]

furry...well done......is First aid with StJohn's ambulance just as popular?

[Kiki-frog]

Tilly - sal volatile as a cake ingredient? That certainly does sound really weird. Have you still got the recipe?

[murraymints]

Sqad in uniform....sigh.....

[Tilly2]

Kikki-frog.
Guardian magazine 02.06.12
Queen Cakes. <br/> These were once aerated with 'sal volatile' or ammonium salts. <br/> having tried baking with the stuff, you get an outrageously delicate texture but a kitchen that reeks of ammonia. <br/> baking powder gives a similar but slightly coarser result......

The recipe then goes on using baking powder. If you want that, I'll send it later.

[furrypusscat]

Been left 5 years now. Rules, regs & qualifications are much more stringent. Manual & Patient handling, record keeping, gasses, Defib, Child Protection & Ambulance qualifications including driving are all what is expected if going out on duties. As far as I know membership hasn't dropped because of it. It used to be older members who really were too old to carry out duties but I think the younger generation have come into it now possibly ex cadets.

[Tilly2]

Flipping italics!

[Kiki-frog]

Tilly - blimey! They must have tasted horrendous. Even baking powder can sometimes leave a slightly harsh taste if too much is used. But sal volatile - yeuch!

[Sqad]

furry....thanks......sounds a lot different to knowing the places to bandage a fractured femur......;-)

[Mamyalynne]

Have only just seen this and enjoyed the read...my Grandson and Granddaughter(8 and 5 years) are members of the 'Badgers' an introduction to St John Ambulance, they love it.


http://www.sja.org.uk...g-people/badgers.aspx

[Tilly2]

That sounds like a very worthwhile thing for them to be doing mamy. I've never heard of the Badgers. Do they practise on you?