[Treatment of insecticide and nerve gas poisoning]

Organic phosphides such as insecticides and nerve gases are chemically and biologically akin. They have the same main structures and both act as cholinesterase inhibitors. The nerve gases are generally more reactively chemical and therefore far more toxic. Since both nerve gases and insecticides react to the same group of acetylcholinesterase the development of symptoms and the treatment of the intoxication are fairly similar. Intoxication may ensue from inhalation, from penetration of the skin, or from consumption of contaminated food or water. The latter mode of administration is the most common in cases of suicide.