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eAntidote
Blog of the Maryland Poison Center
  • Blog
  • Maryland Poison Center
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
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Author Description

Guest Staff

From time to time, we’ll feature posts from one of our staff members. We have 14 Specialists in Poison Information (we call them “SPIs,” pronounced like “spy”) who are pharmacists or nurses that have more than 250 combined years of experience answering our phones, and who have all passed an additional certification exam that tests their knowledge of poisons of all kinds. We also have Toxicology Fellows who are completing a two-year fellowship in clinical toxicology to develop their knowledge and skills to prepare them for their future career. Before joining our team, they worked in pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals. It’s safe to say they’ve heard it all.

28 February 2025

Will Kids Really Eat That? Part Three

Guest Staff Children, Hand Warmers, Ice Melt, Lip Balm, Rock Salt, Winter Leave a Comment
Young girl outside in the snow holding a pile of snow

Winter brings new opportunities for kids to get into things they shouldn’t.

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20 November 2024

Poisonings Throughout History: Jake Walk

Guest Staff Jake, Jake Walk, Jamacian ginger extract Leave a Comment
Various antique bottles of Jamaican Ginger Extract/Jake

Jake walk was caused by drinking contaminated Jamaica ginger extract – “jake.” Jake walk earned its name from the unusual manner of walking people eventually acquired after drinking the jake.

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24 October 2024

Will Kids Really Eat That? Part Two

Guest Staff Children, Diaper Rash Cream, Household Cleaning Products, Silica Gel Packets Leave a Comment
Humorous photo of cute cheerful child girl showing her hands and face painted in bright colors.

We are back with part 2 of “Will Kids Really Eat That?” where we continue exploring items we as adults think would be gross to eat but kids actually eat them all the time.

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27 September 2024

“You’ll never believe what I just did”

Guest Staff Medicine Safety, Over-the Counter, Personal Care Products, Safe Storage Leave a Comment
MPC Poison Specialist answering the phone

We hear this all the time at the Maryland Poison Center. And we do believe what happened. You may think you’re the first person to have done something worth calling the Poison Center about, but chances are our experts have heard it before.

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30 August 2024

Meet Our Experts: Autumn

Guest Staff About Us, Nurse, Poison Expert, Specialist in Poison Information Leave a Comment
Autumn Carrow

One of the goals of our eAntidote blog is to introduce you to the real poison experts who answer the phones at the Maryland Poison Center (MPC), as well as our staff members. Read this Q&A to get to know one of our specialists: Autumn Carrow.

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30 August 2024

Poisonings Throughout History: George Henry Lansom

Guest Staff Aconite, Historic Poisonings Leave a Comment
Collage with a portrait sketch of George Henry Lansom on the left and a picture of an aconite plant on the right

Aconite, a type of flowering plant, is often called the Queen of Poisons. This is an accurate description as it was used as a poison throughout history.

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29 July 2024

Meet Our Experts: Melinda

Guest Staff About Us, Pharmacist, Poison Expert, Toxicology Fellowship Leave a Comment
Melinda Lee

One of the goals of our eAntidote blog is to introduce you to the real poison experts who answer the phones at the Maryland Poison Center (MPC), as well as our staff members. Read this Q&A to get to know our toxicology fellow: Melinda Lee.

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18 July 2024

Be Safe while Making a Splash this Summer

Guest Staff Pool Products, Seasonal, Swimming Pools Leave a Comment
Swimming pool service and equipment with chemical cleaning products and tools on wood table and pool background. Horizontal composition. Front view

Any pool owner will tell you that getting the pool ready for use, maintaining it, and closing it up for the off- season is no small task. It often requires multiple types of chemicals to keep the water clean, clear, and balanced.

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21 May 2024

Poisonings Throughout History: William Palmer

Guest Staff Historic Poisonings Leave a Comment
Black & White portrait of William Palmer on the left and an image of an antique strychnine bottle on the right

William Palmer, an English physician from the Victorian period, is widely considered the “Prince of Poisoners.”

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29 March 2024

Meet Our Experts: Becky

Guest Staff About Us, Nurse, Poison Expert, Specialist in Poison Information Leave a Comment
Becky Warren

One of the goals of our eAntidote blog is to introduce you to the real poison experts who answer the phones at the Maryland Poison Center (MPC), as well as our staff members. Read this Q&A to get to know one of our specialists: Becky Warren.

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Recent Posts

  • Cleaning products in and around a cleaning bucket
    Spring Cleaning April 24, 2025
  • Young girl outside in the snow holding a pile of snow
    Will Kids Really Eat That? Part Three February 28, 2025
  • Happy senior couple looking through window at home.
    Poison Help for Older Adults January 29, 2025
  • Lighted background with present wrapped in blue bow with decorative pine and white berries
    A Wrapped Gift – Holiday Poison Safety December 16, 2024

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Recent Posts

  • Cleaning products in and around a cleaning bucket
    Spring Cleaning April 24, 2025
  • Young girl outside in the snow holding a pile of snow
    Will Kids Really Eat That? Part Three February 28, 2025
  • Happy senior couple looking through window at home.
    Poison Help for Older Adults January 29, 2025
  • Lighted background with present wrapped in blue bow with decorative pine and white berries
    A Wrapped Gift – Holiday Poison Safety December 16, 2024
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