[ACCIDENTS AND POISONS 399]
Second: Quickly lay the person prone, face downward with stomach resting on a barrel or roll of clothing, so the head will be lower than rest of the body and the water will run out from the throat and lungs. Wipe dry mouth and nostrils. Wrap the corner of a handkerchief about the forefinger and clear the mouth of all mucus and slimy substance back as far as the top of the throat. Rip open the clothing on chest and back and keep the face exposed to the air. Separate the jaws and keep them apart with a cork, stone, or knot in a handkerchief.
Third: Remove the roll of clothing from underneath the stomach of the patient. Kneel by the side of or across the patient. Place your hands over the lowest ribs. Lean forward and put your weight straight over the lowest ribs. Exert this pressure for three seconds. To count three seconds, say: "One thousand and one, one thousand and two; one thousand and three,"
Fourth: Do not remove the hands from the ribs; but release the pressure from the ribs for two seconds, by squatting backward. To count two seconds, say: "One thousand and one, one thousand and two,"
Fifth: Again exert pressure straight over the lowest ribs for three seconds. Alternate thus (three seconds pressure and two seconds release), about twelve times a minute, until breathing is restored. This method of resuscitation at once expels water and produces the identical results of normal breathing.
Sixth: If another person is at hand to assist, let him do everything possible to keep the body warm, by sheltering it from the wind, rubbing hands and soles of feet, making hot applications. Warm the head nearly as fast as the other parts of the body to avoid congestion. Camphor or ammonia may be applied to nostrils to excite breathing.
Seventh: Do not give up too soon. Any time within two hours you may be on the point of reviving the patient without there being any sign of it. Send for a physician as soon as possible after the accident. Prevent friends from crowding around the patient and excluding fresh air.
AFTER-TREATMENT.—After breathing is restored, remove the patient to a warm bed where there is free circulation of fresh air. Administer in small doses stimulants (hot coffee, ginger tea, hot sling) being careful not to let the patient choke or strangle. There is danger that the patient may suffer congestion of the lungs and have great difficulty in breathing. When this occurs, a large mustard plaster should be placed over the lungs.
HOW TO KEEP FROM DROWNING.—To keep from drowning it is advisable, but not necessary, to know how to swim. The human body in the water weighs little more than a pound; so that one finger placed upon a piece of board, an oar or a paddle, will easily keep the head above water, and the feet and the other hand can be used to propel the body toward the shore. It is all important for the person in the water to breathe and keep a cool head, and the mouth closed.
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HOW TO FIND DROWNED PERSONS.—Make a board raft, ten or twelve feet square. Cut a round hole in the center, eight or ten inches in diameter. Lie down on the raft with the face over the hole, covering the head with a coat or shawl, to exclude the light. By this contrivance the rays of the light are concentrated directly under the raft, and objects of any size can be seen a considerable distance below the surface. Tow the raft over the place where the drowned person is supposed to be. If the body has just gone under and no raft can be provided at once, dive or drag the bottom with line and hooks. The important object is to rescue the body at the earliest possible moment. If the body is not rescued, it will rise to the surface within a week or ten days.
Three hundred lives are lost in Michigan every year from drowning. If by studying and learning how to carry out the directions in this article, you can be a life saver at some critical moment, the few moments spent in careful reading will be well repaid. Master the directions so that you will be able to do everything possible in case of accident.
ELECTRIC SHOCK, ETC.—In suffocation by smoke or any poisonous gas, as also by hanging if the neck is not broken, and in suspended breathing from effects of chloroform, hydrate of chloral, or electric shock, remove all obstructions to breathing, instantly loosen or cut apart all neck and waist bands, taking special pains to keep the head very low, and placing the body face downward, to prevent closure of the windpipe by the tongue falling back. Then proceed to induce artificial respiration the same as in drowning, described above.
BATHING IN SEWAGE POLLUTED WATERS IS DANGEROUS.—Cases have been reported where typhoid fever has been contracted by bathing in streams below cities and villages. Probably this occurred through accidentally or carelessly taking the infected water into the mouth. No person should bathe in an ordinary stream just below any city or village, or other source of sewage or privy drainage, or in any harbor or lake near the entrance into it of a sewer or the drainage of a privy.
POISONS
An antidote is something given that counteracts poison, such as soda, chalk, magnesia, soap, whiting, milk mixed with magnesia, soda diluted, etc., followed by whites of eggs and bland drinks such as flaxseed tea, slippery elm tea, quince seed tea, and sweet or castor oil given after regular antidote.
For Shock, inject hot black coffee into the rectum.
Emetic is some medicine given to produce vomiting. The simplest emetic is mustard and warm water. If one does not know what poison has been taken, the best thing to do is to give an emetic first.
[ACCIDENTS AND POISONS 401]
Mustard.—One-half ounce or four teaspoonfuls for an adult, one to two teaspoonfuls for a child, of mustard to a cup of warm water may be given and repeated every ten or fifteen minutes until free vomiting is produced.
Salt and warm water may be used in the same way. Tickling the throat with a finger or a feather produces vomiting.
Goose grease, lard, lard drippings, vaselin, all in large amounts.
Other medicines: Sulphate of zinc, ten to twenty grains at a dose, in a cup of warm water; or fluid extract of ipecac fifteen to thirty drops, or syrup of ipecac one teaspoonful.
Poisons may be divided into corrosive and irritant.
Corrosive poison: This is a poison that is likely to eat or burn through organic tissue immediately.
Irritant poison acts more slowly and produces inflammation which later may result in suppuration and perforation.
An emetic or stomach pump cannot be used in some poisons, such as suphuric acid, because the tissues are quickly injured by the acid and the emetic and pump would only injure farther.
ACONITE. Symptoms.—Sudden collapse; slow, feeble, irregular pulse, and breathing; tickling in the mouth and the extremities, giddiness, great muscular weakness; pupils generally dilated, may be contracted; mind is clear.
Antidotes: Solution of tannic acid, twenty drops to a glass of water, to wash out the stomach.
Treatment.—Stimulants, whisky or brandy; digitalis, artificial respiration, warmth and friction of the body. Lie in recumbent position.
ALCOHOL. Symptoms.—Stupid, confused, giddy, staggers, drowsy, but can be aroused; full pulse, deep snoring, respiration, injected eyes, dilated pupils, low temperature.
Emetics.—Strong hot coffee, inhale amyl nitrite; hot and cold douches.
AMMONIA. Symptoms.—Intense inflammation of the stomach and bowels, often with bloody vomiting and purging; lips and tongue swollen; violent difficulty in breathing; characteristic odor.
Antidotes.—Lemon juice and water, vinegar and water half and half.
Treatment.—Milk, soothing drinks; sweet oil or castor oil, bland drinks like flaxseed tea, slippery elm, albumen (white of egg) water. The oil should be used last.
ANTIMONY. Symptoms.—Metallic taste, violent vomiting, becoming bloody, feeble pulse; pain and burning in the stomach. Violent watery purging, becoming bloody; cramps in the extremities, thirst, great weakness; sometimes prostration, collapse, unconsciousness.
Antidotes.—Tannic acid, twenty drops to a glass of water.
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Treatment.—Soothing drinks, milk, white of egg and water, flaxseed tea, etc.; external heat.
ARSENIC, Symptoms.—Violent burning in the stomach, nausea and vomiting, retching, thirst, purging of blood and mucus, suppressed urine, cramps in the legs, intense thirst, collapse.
Antidotes.—Jeaunel's antidote.
Treatment.—Emetics freely, mustard water, salt and warm water, goose grease, etc. White of egg and milk, and then sweet oil or castor oil.
ARSENICAL POISONING, Chronic Cases, Causes.—Inhaling arsenic from dyes, in wall-paper, carpet, etc, Taking it in by the mouth in handling dyed paper, artificial flowers, etc., and in many fabrics employed as clothing. The glazed green and red papers used in the kindergartens also contain arsenic. The drug given in repeated and excessive doses causes poisoning sometimes.
Symptoms.—Dry throat, watery swelling of the eyelids, sometimes coryza, nausea, burning vomiting, and burning watery diarrhea; skin eruptions, falling off of the hair, paralysis of the arms and legs, with wasting and numbness, but little pain, The legs are most affected, causing steppage gait.
Treatment.—Remove the cause in these chronic cases and treat the symptoms. It may be best for a physician to prescribe treatment.
ATROPINE. Symptoms.—Flushed face, red eyes, throbbing head, pulse fast, dizzy, staggering, hot and dry throat, dilated pupils, scarlet rash on the skin. Patient may be delirious and wildly so.
Antidotes.—Tannic acid, twenty drops in glass of water. Emetics to produce vomiting, such as mustard water, salt and warm water, goose grease, vaselin, etc.
Stimulants.—Coffee to drink or by enema, artificial respiration.
BELLADONNA, Symptoms.—Flushed face, red eyes, throbbing head, pulse fast, dizzy, staggering, hot and dry throat, dilated pupils, scarlet rash on the skin. Patient may be delirious and wildly so.
Antidotes.—Tannic acid, twenty drops in glass of water,
Treatment.—Emetics to produce vomiting, such as mustard water, warm salt water, goose grease, vaselin, etc.
Stimulants.—Coffee to drink or by enema, artificial respiration,
BLUE STONE. Symptoms.—Vomiting and purging, taste of metal, severe pains, dizziness and headache and sometimes insensibility.
Treatment.—Emetics such as mustard water, warm salt water, goose grease, vaselin, etc. Then white of eggs, followed by milk and soothing drinks, flaxseed tea, etc.
BLUE VITRIOL. Symptoms.—Vomiting and purging, taste of metal, severe pains, dizziness and headache and sometimes insensibility.
Antidote.—Jeaunel's antidote.
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Treatment.—Emetics such as mustard water, warm salt water, goose grease, vaselin, etc., then white of eggs, followed by milk and soothing drinks, flaxseed tea, etc.
CARBOLIC ACID. Symptoms.—Immediately burning pain from mouth to stomach; giddiness, loss of consciousness, collapse, partial suppression of the urine; characteristic odor and white color of lips, etc.
Antidotes. Epsom salts or glaubers salts, and water very freely to drink; drink a pint of flaxseed tea. Later strong coffee or whisky and water as stimulants.
External.—If burned externally by carbolic acid, apply immediately some oil-sweet oil, olive oil or any good oil at hand-or wash freely with baking soda water. Should the acid get into the eye continue application of oil or soda water and send for a physician. Hold lower lid down to prevent acid getting into pupil until you are sure all the acid is off of the lids.
CHLORAL. Symptoms.—Deep sleep, livid look, pulse weak, breathing slow, pupils contracted during sleep, but dilated when awake, temperature low.
Antidotes.—Permanganate of potash, four to five grains every half hour.
Treatment.—Emetics at first, if seen early, such as mustard water, and warm salt water, vaselin, goose grease, etc. Keep person awake by walking, slapping and cold applications; give strong coffee enemas.
COPPER. Symptoms.—Intense corrosion of the mouth and stomach, bleeding and cramps in the bowels.
Treatment. Emetics.—Mustard water, warm salt water, lard, vaselin, etc.
Then milk and eggs, black coffee enema.
CORROSIVE SUBLIMATE. Symptoms.—Burning heat in stomach and bowels, vomiting, diarrhea, with bloody stools, tongue white, shriveled: suppressed urine, gums sore, salivation.
Antidote.—Milk or white of eggs; one egg for four grains of drug; milk, flour paste.
Treatment.—Cause vomiting after the antidote has been given, and follow with soothing drinks, castor oil.
CHEESE, Spoiled. Symptoms.—Vomiting, cramps, diarrhea, weakness, cold hands and feet.
Treatment.—Emetics, such as warm water and salt until patient vomits freely; or mustard water, lard, vaselin, tickle throat with feather, etc. Enema to empty lower bowel; stimulants, such as strong coffee or whisky.
DEADLY NIGHT-SHADE. Symptoms.—Flushed face, red eyes, throbbing head, pulse fast, dizzy, staggering, hot and dry throat, dilated pupils, scarlet rash on the skin. Patient may be delirious and wildly so.
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Antidotes.—Tannic acid, twenty drops in glass of water. Emetics to produce vomiting, such as mustard water, salt and warm water, goose grease, vaselin, etc.
Stimulants.—Coffee to drink or by enema, artificial respiration.
FOWLER'S SOLUTION. Symptoms.—Violent burning in the stomach, nausea and vomiting, retching, thirst, purging of blood and mucus, suppressed urine, cramps in the legs, intense thirst, collapse.
Antidote.—Jeaunel's antidote.
Treatment.—Emetics freely, mustard water, salt and warm water, goose grease, etc., then white of egg and milk and follow with sweet oil or castor oil.
HYDROCHLORIC ACID, Symptoms.—The stomach and bowels are irritated and inflamed, the mouth may burn and bleed; swallowing is difficult; "coffee grounds" vomiting.; pulse feeble, clammy skin.
Treatment.—Usually the first thing to do is to give an emetic. Send for a doctor and give an emetic. Then give chalk or, if necessary, take plaster from the wall, mix it with a glass of water. Also three or four eggs (raw) in a glass of milk can be taken.
HELLEBORE, WHITE AND GREEN. Symptoms.—Pain and burning in the bowels, vomiting and diarrhea, slow weak pulse, pupils dilated usually.
Treatment.—Emetics, such as mustard water, warm salt water, goose grease, vaselin, etc.; stimulants, strong coffee, brandy, whisky. Keep patient quiet and warm.
IODINE. Symptoms.—Pain in throat and stomach, vomiting is yellow from the iodine, or blue if starch is in the stomach; color and odor of iodine on lips and in mouth.
Antidote.—Starch or flour mixed into a paste with water, should be given and followed by emetics.
Treatment.—Emetics, something to cause vomiting, warm salt water, mustard water, etc. Then sweating drinks, such as hot flaxseed or hop tea, etc.
LYE. Symptoms.—Intense inflammation of the stomach and bowels, often with bloody vomiting and purging; lips and tongue swollen; violent difficulty in breathing; characteristic odor.
Antidotes.—Lemon juice and water; vinegar and water, half and half.
Treatment.—Milk, soothing drinks; sweet oil or castor oil, bland drinks like flaxseed tea, slippery elm, albumen (white of egg) water. The oil should be used last.
LAUDANUM. Symptoms.—Excitement at first, soon weariness weighty limbs, sleepiness, pin-point pupils, pulse and breathing slow and strong, patient roused with difficulty and later it is impossible, snoring breathing.
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Treatment.—This is a dangerous poison. A stomach pump should be used. Emetics, such as mustard and warm water or warm salt water or vaselin, etc. Keep patient awake, stimulants, coffee enemas, artificial respiration, etc.
MERCURIC CHLORIDE. Symptoms.—Burning heat in stomach and bowels, vomiting, diarrhea, with bloody stools, tongue white, shriveled, suppressed urine, gums sore, salivation.
Antidote.—Milk or white of eggs; one egg for four grains of drug, flour paste.
Treatment.—Cause vomiting after the antidote has been given, then give soothing drinks and dose of castor oil.
MORPHINE. Symptoms.—Excitement at first, soon weariness, weighty limbs, sleepiness, pin-point pupils, pulse and breathing slow and strong; patient roused with difficulty and later it is impossible; snoring breathing.
Treatment.—This is a dangerous poison. A stomach pump should be used. Emetics, such as mustard and warm water or warm salt water, or vaselin, etc. Keep patient awake; stimulants, coffee enemas, artificial respiration, etc.
NUX VOMICA. Symptoms.—Appear quickly. Terrible convulsions, in paroxysms, devilish grin, the body is curved backward, jaw set.
Treatment.—Cause vomiting with warm salt water, warm mustard water, lard, vaselin, etc.; sixty grains of bromide of potash and thirty grains of chloral hydrate by the rectum. Dark quiet room.
NITRIC ACID. Symptoms.—The stomach and bowels are irritated and inflamed, the mouth may burn and bleed; swallowing is difficult. "Coffee grounds" vomiting. Pulse feeble, clammy skin.
OXALIC ACID. Symptoms.—Hot acrid taste; burning, vomiting, collapse, numb and stupid.
Antidotes.—Lime or chalk.
Treatment.—Medicines, soothing drinks, flaxseed tea, etc.
OPIUM. Symptoms.—Excitement at first, soon weariness, weighty limbs, sleepiness, pin-point pupils, pulse and breathing slow and strong, patient roused with difficulty and later it is impossible, snoring breathing.
Treatment.—This is a dangerous poison. A stomach pump should be used. Emetics, such as mustard water, or warm salt water or vaselin, etc. Keep patient awake, stimulants, coffee enemas, artificial respiration, etc.
PARIS GREEN. Symptoms.—Violent burning in the stomach, nausea, and vomiting, retching, thirst, purging of blood and mucus, suppressed urine, cramps in the legs, intense thirst, collapse.
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Antidotes.—Jeaunel's antidote.
Treatment.—Emetics freely, mustard water, warm salt water, goose grease, etc. White of egg and milk first, and then sweet oil or castor oil.
PAREGORIC. Symptoms.—Excitement at first, soon weariness, weighty limbs, sleepiness, pin-point pupils, pulse and breathing slow and strong, patient roused with difficulty and later it is impossible, snoring breathing.
Treatment.—This is a dangerous poison. A stomach pump should be used. Emetics such as mustard and warm water or warm salt water, or vaselin, etc. Keep patient awake, stimulants, coffee enemas, artificial respiration, etc.
PHOSPHORUS MATCHES. Symptoms.—Vomiting and pain, the vomit may be luminous in the dark, characteristic odor, after several days deep jaundice, blood in vomited matter and bloody stools, pulse is rapid and weak.
Treatment.—Emetics to cause vomiting such as warm salt water, warm mustard water, etc., followed by epsom salts in large doses; five to ten drops of turpentine.
POTASH, CAUSTIC. Symptoms.—Intense inflammation of the stomach and bowels, often with bloody vomiting and purging; lips and tongue swollen; violent difficulty in breathing; characteristic odor.
Antidotes.—Lemon juice and water, vinegar and water half and half.
Treatment.—Milk, soothing drinks; sweet oil or castor oil, bland drinks like flaxseed tea, slippery elm, albumen water, white of egg water. The oil should be used last.
POISONOUS PLANTS. Symptoms.—Vomiting, terrible weakness.
Treatment.—Emetics such as warm mustard water, warm salt water, goose grease, vaselin, lard, etc.; strong coffee, brandy; heat to extremities, artificial respiration.
ROUGH ON RATS. Symptoms.—Violent burning in stomach, nausea, and vomiting, retching, thirst, purging of blood and mucus, Suppressed urine, cramps in legs, intense thirst, collapse.
Antidote.—Jeannel's antidote.
Treatment.—Emetics freely such as warm mustard water, warm salt water, goose grease, etc. White of egg and milk first, and then sweet oil or castor oil.
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SALTPETRE. Symptoms.—Intense inflammation of the stomach and bowels, often with bloody vomiting and purging; lips and tongue swollen; violent difficulty in breathing; characteristic odor.
Antidotes.—Lemon juice and water, vinegar and water half and half.
Treatment.—Milk, soothing drinks; sweet oil or castor oil, bland drinks like flaxseed tea, slippery elm, albumen (white of egg) water. The oil should be used last.
SANTONIN. Symptoms.—Object looks blue, then yellow, ringing ears, dizziness.
Treatment.—Emetics such as warm mustard water, warm salt water, goose grease, lard, etc.; stimulants, brandy, strong coffee.
STRYCHNINE. Symptoms.—Appear quickly. Terrible convulsions, in paroxysms, devilish grin, the body is curved backward, jaw set.
Treatment.—Cause vomiting, with warm salt water, warm mustard water, lard, vaselin, etc.; sixty grains of bromide of potash and thirty grains of chloral hydrate by the rectum. Dark, quiet room.
SPOILED FOODS. Symptoms.—Vomiting, cramps, diarrhea, weakness, cold hands and feet.
Treatment.—Emetics such as warm salt water until patient vomits freely; or mustard water, lard, goose grease, vaselin, tickle throat with feather, etc.
SULPHURIC ACID. Symptoms.—The stomach and bowels are irritated and inflamed, the mouth may burn and bleed; swallowing is difficult. "Coffee grounds" vomiting. Pulse feeble, clammy skin.
Treatment.—Usually the first thing to do is to give an emetic. Send for a doctor and give an emetic. Then give chalk or, if necessary, take plaster from wall, mix it with a glass of water. Also three or four eggs (raw) in a glass of milk can be taken.
TARTAR EMETIC. Symptoms.—Metallic taste, violent vomiting, becoming bloody, feeble pulse; pain and burning in the stomach. Violent watery purging, becoming bloody; cramps in the extremities, thirst, great weakness; sometimes prostration, collapse, unconsciousness.
Antidotes.—Tannic acid, twenty drops to glass of water.
Treatment.—Soothing drinks, milk, white of egg and water, flaxseed tea, etc., external heat.
TOBACCO. Symptoms.—Vomiting, terrible weakness.
Treatment.—Emetics, such as warm salt water, warm mustard water, goose grease, lard, vaselin, etc.; then stimulants such as strong, coffee, brandy; heat to extremities, artificial respiration.
WINE OF ANTIMONY. Symptoms.—Metallic taste, violent vomiting, becoming bloody, feeble pulse; pain and burning in the stomach. Violent watery purging, becoming bloody; cramps in the extremities, thirst, great weakness; sometimes prostration, collapse, unconsciousness.
Antidotes.—Tannic acid, twenty drops to glass of water.
Treatment.—Soothing drinks, milk, white of egg and water, flax seed tea, etc.; external heat.