These different Causes of Swooning should be opposed by the Means and Remedies adapted to each of them. A Detail of all these would be improper here; but the Assistances that are necessary at the Time of Swooning, are nearly the same for all Cases of this Class; excepting for that attending a great Loss of Blood, of which I shall treat hereafter: first of all, the Patients should be laid down on a Bed, and being covered, should have their Legs and Thighs, their Arms, and their whole Bodies rubbed pretty strongly with hot Flanels; and no Ligature should remain on any Part of them.
2, They should have very spirituous Things to smell or snuff up, such as the Carmelite Water, Hungary Water, the [105] English Salt, Spirit of Sal Ammoniac, strong smelling Herbs, such as Rue, Sage, Rosemary, Mint, Wormwood, and the like.
3, These should be conveyed into their Mouths; and they should be forced, if possible, to swallow some Drops of Carmelite Water, or of Brandy, or of some other potable Liquor, mixed with a little Water; while some hot Wine mixed with Sugar and Cinnamon, which makes one of the best Cordials, is getting ready.
4, A Compress of Flanel, or of some other woollen Stuff, dipt in hot Wine, in which some aromatic Herb has been steeped, must be applied to the Pit of the Stomach.
5, If the Swooning seems likely to continue, the Patient must be put into a well heated Bed, which has before been perfumed with burning Sugar and Cinnamon; the Frictions of the whole Body with hot Flanels being still continued.
6, As soon as the Patient can swallow, he should take some Soup or Broth, with the Yolk of an Egg; or a little Bread or Biscuit; soaked in the hot spiced Wine.
7, Lastly, during the whole Time that all other Precautions are taken to oppose the Cause of the Swooning, Care must be had for some Days to prevent any Deliquium or Fainting, by giving them often, and but little at a time, some light yet strengthening Nourishment, such as Panada made with Soup instead of Water, new laid Eggs very lightly poached, light roast Meats with sweet Sauce, Chocolate, Soups of the most nourishing Meats, Jellies, Milk, &c.
§ 497. Those Swoonings, which are the Effect of Bleeding, or of the violent Operation of some Purge, are to be ranged in this Class.
Such as happen after artificial Bleeding, are generally very moderate, commonly terminating as soon as the Patient is laid upon the Bed: and Persons subject to this Kind, should be bled lying down, in Order to prevent it. But should the Fainting continue longer than usual, some Vinegar smelt to, and a little swallowed with some Water, is a very good Remedy.
The Treatment of such Faintings or Swoonings, as are the Consequences of too violent Vomits or Purges, may be seen hereafter [§ 552].