**Core Concept**
Sulphuric acid poisoning causes severe cellular and tissue damage due to its strong corrosive properties. The fatal period is determined by the time it takes for systemic shock, multi-organ failure, and metabolic acidosis to develop after ingestion.

**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Sulphuric acid induces rapid and extensive damage to the gastrointestinal tract, leading to perforation and sepsis. However, the delay in death is due to the body’s initial buffering and the time required for systemic complications to progress. The peak mortality occurs between 12–16 hours post-exposure, when circulatory collapse, acute renal failure, and respiratory distress manifest. This window reflects the pathophysiology of delayed systemic toxicity following initial local damage.

**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
Option A: 2–4 hours – This is too early; death typically occurs after significant systemic involvement, not within hours of ingestion.
Option B: 6–10 hours – Still too early; while symptoms appear sooner, fatal complications take longer to develop.
Option D: 8–14 hours – While close, it underestimates the time required for full organ failure; the most consistent fatal period is 12–16 hours.

**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
In sulphuric acid poisoning, death usually occurs 12–16 hours after ingestion due to shock and multi-organ failure. Unlike alkalis, which may cause rapid death, sulphuric acid has a delayed fatal period because of the body’s initial resistance and delayed systemic collapse.

✓ Correct Answer: C. 12-16 hours