Femina, A Work for Every Woman

by John A. Miller

“The treatment of apnœa from drowning must be prompt and decided. Every moment of time is most precious. The body being removed from the water to a dry place, is immediately stripped, wiped, and covered with a blanket, especially in cold weather. The mouth, nostrils and throat are cleared of mucus, froth, and any other substances likely to interfere with the admission of air to the lungs; the tongue is to be pulled out at the corner of the mouth, and prevented from falling back upon the glottis; ammonia is rapidly passed to and fro under the nose; and the body is stretched out at full length with the face downwards, the forehead resting upon one arm, for the purpose of allowing any water that may be in the stomach and air passages to escape by the mouth and nose. If these means do not speedily revive the patient, artificial respiration is instituted. For this purpose, the body being placed upon its back, with the head slightly elevated, the arms, grasped just above the elbows, are carried outwards and upwards from the chest almost perpendicularly, and retained in this position for about two seconds, the object of the procedure being designed to promote the introduction of air into the lungs as in natural breathing. They are then lowered and brought closely to the sides of the chest, where they are held for the same length of time, to expel the air, the effect being aided by pressure applied to the inferior and lateral portions of the chest. These alternate movements of elevation and depression from twelve to fourteen times a minute, and are performed with all possible gentleness. As soon as signs of life are observed, dry warmth should be applied to the extremities, the region of the heart, loins, and abdomen, a little brandy and water being administered, or if deglutition be impracticable, thrown into the rectum.”

(f) Poisons and their antidotes form an important subject for our consideration, because many of the poisons are among the most useful remedies. The daily accounts in the public press of serious and fatal mistakes in the administration of medicines, are always due to carelessness and very often to criminal negligence.

No package or bottle should be kept about the house without its proper label.

Those that contain poisonous drugs or chemical preparations should be plainly marked Poison, besides the name of their contents.

Vials or packages containing poisonous drugs or chemicals must not be kept on the same shelf and near those medicines that are comparatively harmless.

Always look at the label twice; once before the contents are poured out, and a second time, before the dose is swallowed. Never take medicine in the dark, in the belief that you are certain of the right vial and locality; many a sad accident has occurred from this venture.

Sulphuric, nitric, and muriatic acid cause great heat and a sensation of burning pain from the mouth down to the stomach. Acids are neutralized by alkalies, hence one teaspoonful of washing soda or two teaspoonfuls of bicarbonate of soda dissolved in a pint of water should be drunk as soon as possible: chalk or powdered magnesia mixed with water will also answer the purpose.

Oxalic acid is frequently mistaken for Epsom salts; lime water, chalk or magnesia mixed with water and taken in large quantities are antidotes: then administer emetics, which act more quickly if the stomach is filled with fluids; sometimes the finger run down the throat will excite quick and sufficient vomiting.

Creosote and carbolic acid benumb the stomach so that emetics usually will not act, and large quantities of sweet oil or castor oil should be first drunk; I prefer the former because from one to two pints of it can be taken; after which lime water or a solution of Glauber salt (sulphate of sodium) should be taken; the latter is especially recommended as neutralizing carbolic acid. When circumstances make it possible the stomach pump or india rubber siphon tube should be at once employed.

Alkalies, for example, caustic potassa, soda, lye, strong solution of ammonia, earths and lime are neutralized by drinking vinegar or lemon or lime juice; afterwards milk in water and flaxseed tea.