Gastrolavage

/ˈɡæstɹoʊləvɑːʒ/ noun

Definition

A medical procedure that involves washing out or flushing the stomach with fluid, typically done to remove poisons, drugs, or harmful substances.

Etymology

From gastro- (stomach) + lavage (from Latin lavare, meaning 'to wash'). This medical technique has been used since the 1800s as an emergency treatment for poisonings.

Kelly Says

Stomach pumping (gastrolavage) used to be the go-to emergency room procedure for overdoses, but it's fallen out of favor because other treatments like activated charcoal actually work better!

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