Clinical
toxicology designates an area of professional emphasis in the realm of medical science that is
concerned with disease caused by or uniquely associated with toxic substances (see Chap. 32).
Generally, clinical toxicologists are physicians who receive specialized training in emergency
medicine and poison management. Efforts are directed at treating patients poisoned with drugs
or other chemicals and at the development of new techniques to treat those intoxications.
Public contact about treatment and prevention is often through the national network of poison
control centers.