7. If the shock has prostrated the patient, give him a teaspoonful of brandy or other liquor—always provided he has not been drinking. Many accidents occur in consequence of liquor-drinking. If the patient is cold, faint, and prostrate, wrap him or her up warm, placing hot bricks, or jugs of hot water, at the feet. When he can swallow, some hot tea, or soup, may be given, if necessary.
8. If the patient has delirium tremens, give him strong coffee.
9. To remove an injured person, do not call a carriage, but take a shutter, or board, or door, throw your coats upon it, and tenderly place him thereon. Carry him carefully. Don’t keep step in walking; he will ride easier without.
10. If a patient faints, give him air. Let him lie on the back. Wipe the face with a little water. A little camphor in water may be applied to the face and temples, provided he has not been using it already to excess. Camphor, used excessively, may keep one faint a long time. Let the clothes be loosened. Keep cool, and wait.
11. Avoid all rude and alarming conversation around the patient. When he recovers a little, do not press around and confuse him with questions of “What can I do for you?” etc. Let him rest.
12. If a person has been under water, don’t roll him to get the water out of him. There is no water there beyond the mouth. The life has been rolled out of many a poor wretch, over a barrel, under this foolish delusion of “getting the water out of him.” Lay him on his side, in a warm room, or in the sun. Try to inflate the lungs. Don’t get a “bellows,” and blow him full of wind. He is not like a bladder, or a balloon, that he needs inflating thus. To breathe is what he needs. Let the water, if any, in the mouth, run out. Wrap him warm—hot water at feet. Rub the limbs, if cold, for a long time. Persevere. Do not give him up until a good physician has arrived, and pronounced him beyond all hope of recovery.
Sun-stroke (Coup de Soleil).
The “ounce of prevention” must first be considered in this case.
1. All who can should keep in the shade during the extreme heat of the summer days. You who must “bear the heat and burden of the day” may not be able always to avoid the direct rays of the scorching sun. Wide-rimmed palm or straw hats should be worn, and when the noonday sun pours down its sultry beams, wet the hair, or keep a green leaf, or wet handkerchief, in your hat. This will surely prevent sun-stroke, by the evaporation of moisture. If away in the field, swinging the scythe, or with spade levelling the “everlasting hills,” and no water is near, place some green grass or damp earth in the hat,—any way to avoid sun-stroke and sudden death!