DROWNING.
Recovery from drowning sometimes occurs when life is apparently extinct. The treatment, however, should be immediate and energetic, and should be given in the open air, unless the weather be too cold.
Treatment. The patient should be gently placed upon the face with his wrists under his forehead. The tongue will then fall forward and the water run out of his mouth and throat, while the windpipe, or air-passage, will be free. To restore respiration, he should be instantly turned upon his right side, his nostrils excited with snuff or ammonia, and cold water dashed upon his face and chest. If this operation prove unsuccessful, replace the patient upon his face, care being taken to raise and support his chest, turn the body gently on the side and quickly again upon the face. Alternate these movements about every four seconds, and occasionally change sides. When the body is turned on the face, gentle but efficient pressure should be made along the back, between the shoulder blades, to assist in forcing the air out of the lungs, but this pressure ought to be removed before the patient is turned back on his side. Persistently repeat this operation, and success will often be the reward. As soon as respiration is established, warmth may be promoted by the application of warm flannels to the body and bottles of hot water to the stomach, armpits, thighs, and feet. During the entire process of restoration, the body should be thoroughly rubbed upwards. Turning the body upon the back or handling it roughly should be avoided. The person should not be held up by his feet, or be rubbed with salt or spirits. Rolling the body on a cask is improper, and injections of the smoke infusion of tobacco are injurious. Avoid the constant application of the warm bath, and do not allow a crowd to surround the body.
FAINTING.
When a person faints, he should be allowed to remain or be placed in a recumbent posture, and his clothing immediately loosened. The extremities should be rubbed, the patient permitted to have plenty of fresh air, and, if at hand, ammonia or camphor should be applied to the nostrils.
BURNS AND SCALDS.
The danger arising from burns and scalds depends not only upon the extent of surface involved, but also upon the depth of the injury. Burns are most dangerous when occurring upon the head, chest, or abdomen.
Treatment. Soothing applications, and those which will exclude the air, should be made. Grated potato, poultices of slippery-elm, sweet oil, cotton saturated in a mixture composed of two or three grains of carbolic acid and two ounces of glycerine, and linseed oil and white lead, are all beneficial for the treatment of burns. If internal treatment be necessary, it should be given under the direction of a competent physician.
SUN-STROKE.
In cases of sun-stroke, the patient should be at once removed into the shade. If the face is flushed, apply cold water to the head and neck, and mustard to the feet. The body should be bathed in tepid water and the head slightly elevated. If the countenance is pale, the symptoms denote exhaustion, and the patient should be kept in a recumbent position, the extremities rubbed, camphor and ammonia inhaled, mustard applied to the spine, and stimulants, such as brandy or whiskey, should be administered.