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Fainting.—(Fits.)

Fainting is a condition of total or partial unconsciousness, produced by

the feeble action of the heart and lungs, causing an interruption of the

requisite supply of blood to the brain. The principal characteristics

are: a low, weak pulse, slight respiration, and the marked absence of

convulsions. The attack may be sudden, or marked by

PREMONITORY SYMPTOMS, such as singing in the ears, dizziness, a clammy

sweat, and a death-like pallor of the face. The limbs are unable to

support the body, which falls helpless and apparently lifeless to the

ground. This is an absolute faint. The attacks are in general only

partial and limited in duration.

CAUSES. These are various and even peculiar; a particular scent, the

presentation of certain objects, sudden emotions of joy, fear, or

surprise, loss of blood, or whatever causes debility of the nervous

system, all are predispositions to attacks of this nature.

TREATMENT. When a person faints let him remain or place him in a

horizontal position, with the head low; dash cold water on the face and

neck, loosening whatever presses on the body and neck; allow the air to

play freely round him, and apply smelling salts or camphor to the

nostrils, not too frequently, and mustard to the feet, or rub the latter

frequently. As soon as the patient revives and is able to swallow, give

a small glass of equal parts of spirits and water.

The cause will naturally govern the after-treatment, which should

strictly be those of hygiene and general health.

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Fish Hooks, Crochet Needles, Thorns, Splinters, Etc., in the Flesh.

When a _fish hook_ has entered the flesh, do not wriggle it about till

you have made an opening, nor try to work it out backwards. The best

plan is, first, to cut the line from the hook, and then turning the

point upwards, push it through in the direction in which it entered,

until it pierces the skin; clip or file off the flat end of the hook,

and taking the remaining portion by the point, pull it through. If the

accident be caused by a _crochet needle_, which has entered deeply into

the flesh, do not attempt to pull it out, as this will only inflame and

tear the part, but get a surgeon to remove it; but if the services of

one cannot be readily procured, first ascertain on which side the hook

is, and then push a smooth ivory knitting needle _down_ the wound till

it reaches the hook and draw them both out together. Accidents from

_thorns, splinters and other pointed substances_ very commonly happen to

the hands, feet, and legs. If such can be _entirely_ extracted, no evil

consequences will arise, but if the body has been penetrated or any part

left in the flesh, inflammation is set up, sometimes followed by an

abscess, which should be opened as soon as it has formed. Where the

thorn, etc., cannot be taken hold of to remove it, a bread and water

poultice should be applied till the offending substance is drawn out.

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Fits.—Convulsions.

These sudden and violent attacks are common to both children and adults.

In the former they are occasioned by a variety of causes, such as

teething, the striking in of a rash, or when suffering from worms,

flatulency, water on the brain, or the presence of some foreign or

irritating substance in the intestines. They are frequently produced by

slight functional disorders, and the younger and more excitable the

child, the more liable it is to these attacks, which may be immediately

fatal or occur daily or even several times a day and linger on for some

time. But though fits are due to several and different causes, they

invariably are indisputable evidence that the brain has in some way been

disturbed.

In adults, fits are apoplectic, epileptic, puerperal, or other seizure,

as the case may be. They are due to narcotic poisons, such as opium,

prussic acid, ardent spirits, and indigestible matter. Fits are not in

themselves a disease, but only symptoms of a disease, and the treatment

must consequently be determined by the cause creating it. In nearly

every instance these attacks are so sudden that the necessity for

immediate action is imperative, before professional advice can be

procured.

TREATMENT. _Infants._ Teething usually occurs between the ages of 5 and

7 months, when the gums should be carefully watched, and as soon as they

show signs of swelling from the pressure of the teeth, lance them

entirely down to the rising teeth, so that there shall be no impediment

to their free growth. This may often avert any fatal disease of the

brain and afford almost immediate relief to the child. If a fit has come

on before a doctor can attend, put the feet in hot mustard and water

till quite red and apply cold water to the head. Administer two or three

tea-spoonfuls of syrup of ipecacuanha, or a little mustard and warm

water, sufficient to produce vomiting.

_Worms._ For this complaint a worm powder or some other vermifuge should

be given. For a child of four years the following is recommended.

Pink-root, one-half an ounce; one-quarter ounce of senna and of fennel;

pour a pint of boiling water on them, and give a table-spoonful three

times a day.

_Improper food and indigestion._ If the stomach be at fault, give a mild

emetic followed by a purgative dose.

_Acrid matter._ Give an injection to loosen the bowels a little more

than natural.

_Flatulency._ Administer medicine to expel the wind from the stomach and

bowels. The following is a simple and effective carminative. Bruised

cloves, two drams; boiling water, one pint; soften by steeping in a

closed vessel for two hours, and then give one wine-glassful

occasionally.

_Effusion on the brain._ Apply cold lotions to the head and keep the

bowels well open by purgatives.

_Disappearance of eruptions._ In this case place the child in a hot

bath.

The above are the chief ailments inducing fits in young children, but

whatever the cause, it is essential that the sufferer should be kept

quiet, and the diet judiciously given.

TREATMENT. _Adults._ For adults, fits may be apoplectic, epileptic,

cataleptic, hysterical, or seizure, as the case may happen. When a

person is taken with a fit, loosen all portions of the clothing that

presses on the body and neck, apply cold water to the head and volatile

stimulants to the nostrils. The proper treatment, however, at the first,

in each of these several varieties are fully set forth under their

respective names.

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Foreign Bodies in the Gullet.

When such foreign bodies, as coins, buttons, or marbles, are swallowed,

they generally reach the stomach without much difficulty and are

evacuated in the ordinary course of nature in a day or so. If the

obstacle has not gone far down the gullet and can be reached with the

finger and thumb, try and pull it out, or use a pair of curved forceps,

which will reach a little lower. Or failing this, place one hand on the

chest of the choking person and give a smart slap or two on the back

between the shoulders with the other hand. Where the substance has gone

some distance down the gullet, it may be pushed down into the stomach

with some blunt instrument. If the stomach contain food when the

accident occurs, an emetic of 5 to 20 grains of powdered alum or ipecac

with water may be administered, but where there is no food in the

stomach, it is advisable to distend the intestines by giving hearty

meals of batter pudding, porridge, or something similar previous to the

emetic being administered.

Farinaceous food should especially be given, when the article swallowed

is some sharp substance, as _pins_, _needles_, or _pieces of broken

glass_. The object being to allow these to pass well enveloped with the

other contents of the stomach. No aperients should be given, as their

action on the bowels may force the pointed substance into the mucous

membrane of the bowels and bring an ulceration, or even cause death.

---------------------

Foreign Bodies in the Windpipe.

These will, in some cases, remain a considerable time in the windpipe,

but beyond producing a slight inflammation and an irritating cough, no

immediate danger need be apprehended. If the obstacle has passed below

the epiglottis (that is the valve, which, when a person is in the act of

swallowing, closes down on top of the windpipe, and prevents the food

from entering the breath-passage), but little can be done beyond giving

the person a little snuff or ordinary pepper to induce sneezing, and get

him to expel the air from the lungs by coughing suddenly and

energetically a few times. This may have the effect of driving out the

substance.

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Foreign Bodies in the Ear.

Foreign bodies, flies and other insects, frequently find a lodgment in

the ear. Only last summer, while I was stopping in the country, in the

early part of the evening a number of persons were sitting on the

piazza. A flying insect lodged in one of the ladies’ ear. Instead of the

bug coming out, it was going further into the ear. Between the

irritation and the buzzing noise of the bug, the lady was greatly

annoyed. She was running in and out of the house, apparently going

crazy. Every one in the house was in a great excitement, but fortunately

it happened that I was in the house. I poured a few drops of sweet oil

into the ear (thus killing the bug instantly, as oil will kill any

insect), and then I syringed the ear with a little soap and lukewarm

water. The bug floated to the top and was removed with the water. If a

living insect gets into the ear, stuff up the ear with a piece of cotton

wool, thoroughly saturated with a strong solution of common salt or

vinegar, sufficiently large to plug it completely, thus preventing the

admission of air. After its introduction, turn the patient on the

affected side, and allow the hand to press firmly on the ear. In a few

minutes the noise will cease, and if the plug at this time be withdrawn,

the insect will probably be found partially imbedded in its substance.

If not, take hold of the tip of the ear at the top and pull the ear up a

little. This straightens the tube. Then pour sweet oil freely into it

and hold it there for a while. Then wash out the ear with warm water and

soap, and the insect will rise to the surface. If the insect is dead and

remain in the ear, his presence need give no special anxiety, as it will

come out itself a day or two afterward.

If any hard substance, like a bead, shell, button or pebble be pushed

into the ear, a stream of warm water may be syringed with advantage, as,

if the water pass in any way between the hard substance and the ear

drum, it will not unfrequently force it out. That side of the head

should be held towards the floor, so that the object may more easily

fall out. But should it be something that will swell with moisture, like

a bean, pea, corn, or seeds, no syringing should be resorted to, as it

will excite the object to swell and increase the mischief, and dry heat

must be employed. The patient should lie upon a sofa or bed with the

affected ear turned downwards. Then give with the flat of your hand two

or three sharp sudden blows on the ear, shaking the head at the same

time, and most likely the offending substance will drop out. If you do

not succeed, lie quietly down upon the affected side and send for a

physician.

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Foreign Substances in the Nose.

This vicious habit young children sometimes fall into of putting small

objects into the nose, is not more remarkable than the variety of things

which they put into the mouth, with this difference though, that their

removal from the mouth is quite an easy matter, while from the nose it

is oftentimes quite difficult, owing to the fact that the entrance is

the smallest part.

Moreover, a timid child oftentimes refrains from telling what has

happened, and an object which might easily have been extracted at the

outset, becomes firmly fixed by the swelling of the mucous membrane,

excited by its presence, and becomes difficult to extract afterward,

especially if it be a pea, or bean, or seed; indeed, anything of a kind

that can imbibe the moisture of the part and so become swollen. The

sooner it is removed, the better.

When any foreign substance gets lodged in the nose, by careful

examination determine which nostril the obstruction is in, close the

mouth and the opposite nostril and then blow forcibly through the

obstructed side. Snuff may be introduced into the opposite nostril in

order to induce sneezing. If this be done soon after the accident two or

three efforts usually shoot the unwelcome lodger out. If this is not

successful, press the thumb against the nose above the obstructing body,

so as to prevent it getting further in, and then make a hook of a piece

of wire or a bent pin, and pressing it up over the offending substance,

pull it down.

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Hydrophobia (Rabies).

The general dread of hydrophobia creates a more universal fear of a bite

from a dog than almost any other accident. It is due to a poison

introduced into the system from the bite of a person or animal suffering

from the disease, though usually with the dog. Bites from dogs, even

when in play, should be treated as poisonous wounds, as the excitement

may cause a change in the saliva with which the mouth is plentifully

supplied.

The interval between the bite and the appearance of the disease varies

from one to six weeks. Death usually occurring from one to eight days

after.

SYMPTOMS. The chief symptoms of this well known canine madness are:

spasmodic contractions of the larynx, preventing the sufferer, though

thirsty, from swallowing any kind of liquid. The moment water approaches

his mouth, a spasmodic shudder seizes him and he pushes it away with

horror. He suffers from pain and stiffness in the neck and the throat,

which becomes contracted, and is filled with a sticky mucus which he is

constantly endeavoring to spit out or extract with his fingers. Thus,

between the convulsions and the comparative quiet which follow them and

during which there is great depression of spirits, the unhappy sufferer

dies either in a spasm or from sheer exhaustion.

TREATMENT. As no positive cure has been discovered for this terrible

disease, all efforts must be preventive. When a person is bitten by a

dog or other animal supposed to be mad, the wound should at once be

thoroughly washed with a solution of carbolic acid, one to fifty. Then

apply dry cupping, or suction. Take a stick of nitrate of silver (lunar

caustic) and rub it well into the wound. This, if properly done directly

after the bite, will prove the most effectual method of preventing

hydrophobia.

The nitrate of silver acts not only as a caustic to the parts, but

appears to efficaciously neutralize the poison.

The wound should once more be washed by holding it under a stream of

tepid water for a considerable time. If there be any doubt about the

poison being all removed, a strong solution of lunar caustic should be

applied. Then treat as any other wound.

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Lockjaw.

This is a contraction of a spasmodic and generally fatal nature. The

rigidity may be local, affecting only the muscles of the jaw, but

sometimes general, when not only these muscles, but those of the whole

frame are affected and the spasms are of so violent a character as to

produce fractures of the teeth or bones.

Exposure to the cold and bodily injuries, such as are experienced by the

wounded on a battle-field, but particularly injury to a nerve, are the

principal causes of this nervous disease. Inhaling chloroform or ether

or taking them in sufficient quantities to allay the spasms, are the

best known remedies. The ordinary methods of treatment are to give the

patient a hot bath, or to wrap him in flannels or a blanket wrung out of

hot water. Shower baths and stimulant liniments, such as turpentine and

opodeldoc, applied down the spine, have been found efficacious.

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Paralysis—Palsy.

Paralysis is the total or partial loss of power and sensation, or both,

in one or more parts of the body, in some cases commencing gradually,

for a long period may elapse before the loss of nervous energy is

absolute, but more frequently coming suddenly and extending from one

portion to the whole frame.

It is a warning of other diseases, and often a precursor of apoplexy, to

which it is akin in symptoms and in which it not unfrequently

terminates. There are three several _forms_ of paralysis or palsy; as

where only one side of the body is attacked (hemiphlegia); or when the

stroke is confined to the lower extremities and the parts about the

pelvis (paraphlegia), and again it may be local, affecting only a single

limb or muscle. There are also _varieties_ of paralysis or palsy, such

as facial, infantile, diphtheritic, and shaking.

CAUSES. The general paralysis is caused by the rupture of a vessel of

the brain, which may take place, even in sleep, and without any

previously marked apoplectic symptoms. Intemperance in either eating or

drinking, mechanical injuries to the head or spinal cord, the pressure

of blood or water on the brain, the striking-in of eruptions, all are

inducing causes, but in every instance the brain is the source of the

malady, and the disorder, if confined to one side and does not include

both, will, in all probability, extend to the other.

SYMPTOMS. There _may_ be no premonitory indications, except a slight

faintness and confusion of ideas antecedent to the attack, which may

take place during sleep, and the sufferer is unconscious of the fact

till he awakes to his loss, either of speech or motion in one or more

limbs; but when there present such apparent symptoms, very similar to

those peculiar to apoplexy, as headache, flushed face, swelling about

the head and neck, incoherent speech, disconnected ideas, inclination to

sleep, and a tingling sensation in a certain limb, or part of the body,

then an attack may be regarded as close at hand.

TREATMENT. Bleeding and cupping in the neck is the right treatment for a

person of full habit, and where the bowels are costive, they must be

moved by purgatives of 5 grains of calomel, followed by a dose of senna

mixture, or croton pills, or pulverized scammony, 12 grains; pulverized

gamboge, 12 grains; elaterium, 2 grains; croton oil, 8 drops; extract of

stramonium, 3 grains. Mix and make into 12 pills, and administer one

every hour until it operates, and give an injection of castor oil, one

gill; red pepper, 10 grains; molasses, one gill; table salt, one

tea-spoonful, and one pint of warm water.

If the attack be sudden and severe and the symptoms similar to those in

apoplexy, such as flow of blood to the head, throbbing of the temporal

arteries, full and hard pulse, place the patient in a half declining

position, loosening all garments, especially around the neck, and apply

cold wet cloths or ice frequently to the head. _See Apoplexy._ In case

of faintness and wandering of the intellect, administer a tea-spoonful

of sal volatile in a glass of water, and, if required, repeat the dose

in about an hour’s time. No alcohol must be given. Place the patient in

a warm bed, with the head and shoulders well raised, and put the legs

and feet in a hot mustard and water bath. Cupping the neck should be

followed by a blister, and if necessary a seton be put in. The bowels,

after they have once acted well, should be kept well regulated with

rhubarb or castor oil. The diet should be spare, and the patient kept as

quiet as possible. Where it is the lower part of the body that is

attacked (paraphlegia), it is often very difficult to get the bladder to

act properly, and when it does, the urine flows involuntarily. Great

attention should be paid to this. Counter-irritants should be applied

down the spine, such as blisters, moxa, compound of tar, or pitch

plasters, and small blisters on the inside of the legs and thighs. In

facial palsy, when due to a blow, a few leeches applied behind the ear

and at the angle of the jaw, will prove beneficial. Hot fomentations and

stimulating liniments should be used when the attack is due to cold, and

also in the case where the hands or extremities are affected.

This disease sometimes follows Painters’ Colic arising from the

absorption of lead, which is generally confined to the wrists. Use

galvanism, friction, and shampooing with chalybeate water.

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Poison—Ivy.

Any person is liable to get poisoned by dogwood, Ivy, etc., when in the

country. While walking in the fields the leaves of the ivy-vine or the

dogwood leaves will come in contact with your hands and face and will

poison you at once. You will first feel a discomfort and itching. By

scratching yourself you will be poisoned all over. To prevent this

spreading, you should immediately bathe yourself all over in an ordinary

bath-tub, changing the water twice. The itching may be relieved by

bathing the parts in a mixture of two tea-spoonfuls of carbolic acid,

two table-spoonful of glycerine, one-half pint of water. If there is any

swelling of the hands or face, apply a solution of sugar of lead, or

still better, a decoction of witch-hazel bark.

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Poisons.

Accidents from poisons are of such common occurrence that every person

should know the proper remedies and not be obliged to wait the arrival

of a physician before the corrective is applied.

In treatment, two objects are to be kept in view. First, how to get rid

of the poison; second, to stop its action. The first is to remove the

poison from the stomach by giving emetics to cause vomiting. The

simplest way to provoke vomiting, is to give a table-spoonful of ground

mustard or common salt in a tumbler of warm water, a quarter of it at

one time, followed by a cup of warm water. Then another quarter, and

more warm water. Keep this up until vomiting is secured. Tickling the

back of the throat with the finger or a feather will help. Some of the

emetics are ipecacuanha, tartar emetic, sulphate of zinc, and sulphate

of copper. Sulphate of zinc in twenty grains doses is the best. Vomiting

should be promoted until the stomach is entirely empty. The second

indication is to use antidotes, such as sweet oil, vinegar and water,

beaten up raw eggs, strong hot tea, warm milk, or strong coffee.

If stupor or sleep is impending, take the patient into the open air and

walk him up and down. Dash cold water over the head and face, and keep

up artificial breathing, if necessary, (see page 63), and do not on any

account, until the effects of the poison are gone off, allow him to go

to sleep. If you do, he never will wake again.

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Poisons and their Antidotes.

In all cases of poisoning, it must be taken as a general rule that the

person should be made to vomit, especially if seen immediately after

taking the poison. A tea-spoonful of mustard, or two or three of alum,

taken in warm water, will effect this purpose.

Only a few of the principal substances of a poisonous character which

enter into the daily economy, with their antidotes are here given.

ACIDS. _Sulphuric_ (oil of vitriol), _Nitric_ (aquafortis), _Muriatic_

(spirits of salt), _Oxalic_, or _Oxalates_. But not Prussic acid.

TREATMENT. Give plenty of calcined magnesia, an ounce to a pint of

water, every two or three minutes, in a wine-glass. Whiting, chalk, or a

piece of plaster broken off the wall and pounded small, will answer the

purpose, if the magnesia be not ready at hand. A table-spoonful of soft

soap, or common soap, cut up into small pieces, should be got ready, and

given in tea-spoonfuls of water.

_Carbolic._ _Creosote._ Administer plenty of white of egg and an emetic.

One tea-spoonful of mustard in warm water, followed by a mixture of

olive oil and magnesia.

PRUSSIC ACID. (Oil of bitter almonds, laurel water, cyanide of

potassium), used by photographers and others.

TREATMENT. Throw cold water over the face, head and back, even when

convulsions have occurred. Give sal volatile and water, and apply

smelling salts to the nose, but not too strong in either instance.

ARSENIC. Every preparation of arsenic is an irritant poison. Amongst the

commonest forms are: _Scheele’s green_, _ague drops_, _rat poison_,

_etc._