Reid, D. H. S. (1970). Archives of Disease in Childhood, 45, 428. Treatment of the poisoned child. Syrup of ipecac has measurable advantages over gastric lavage in evacuating the stomach of children with accidental poisoning, in terms of safety, effectiveness, and rapidity of action. The average period for action with ipecac is likely to be about 17 minutes, or 82 minutes, depending on whether ...