Pocket guide on first aid of food poisoning?

Answer 1

I bet you don't know you're asking for at least two things! :} Here -- I'll show you.

First, we'd like to be able to diagnose food poisoning, in the field or at the home, so you've asked a first aid question. However, once you've diagnosed generic food poisoning, you really don't need to know what organism caused it. The treatment for food poisoning in almost all cases is identical in a first aid context. That is, keep em comfortable and clean, well hydrated and with balanced electrolytes. If the problem exists for more than 24 hours or if a LOT of water is lot (typically diarrhea), considering going to an ER. At the hospital (or for that matter doing forensic work in the food plant), you Do want to know which bacteria you're dealing with. But, while you can get an idea of what you're up against (some bacterium smell like grape jelly for instance). However, scent alone isn't sufficient. What is, is culturing the organism and seeing what grows. Handbooks for this would come under the heading of microbiology, and have little field use. I contacted the California Poison Control for information on this topic. They agreed that this isn't an emergent medical problem typically, and as such they couldn't think of a book either. You might try UC Davis and ask them.