Page:Every Woman's Encyclopedia Volume 1.djvu/772

 MEDICAL 744 If the flames are at the back make the patient lie face downwards, but face upwards if the flames are at the front. Spread the rug, or its substitute, over the flames, and beat them out. Fig. 2. An improvised tent bed If the accident is to oneself, lie down on the floor and roll over until the flames are extinguished. Let there be no running abcut, as the increase of draught increases the strength of the flames. Extinguishing flames by cutting off the supply of air is preferable to dashing water over them, since the steam generated in this treatment increases the severity of the burns. When the flames are extinguished, tr^at the burns by the method given above. Many burning accidents might be avoided by having a proper guard in front of each open fireplace. Those who work among the poor should be constantly reminding them that it is now a criminal offence if a child is burnt to death owing to the lack of a fireguard. 5. Frostbite. — Frostbit^ ^ is not unknown in this country during seV^f^^winters. If it is not properly treated mortifici'tion sets in, and may lead to the loss of a limb. The first symptoms of frostbite are a waxy white appearance of the flesh, which soon afterwards turns congested and piirplc, while the part itself becomes first numbed and then dead to all sensation. Proper treat- ment takes the form of rubbing the affected part with snow, which is generally at hand ; or, failing that, with olive oil. As soon as the sensation begins to return, the patient may be brought by degrees into a warmer atmosphere. The circulation is often impaired as the result of frostbite, and if this is the case, care must be taken of both the heart and the general health of the patient. Ma.ssage is beneficial, and the clothing must be warm. 6. Choking. — Choking is unpleasant, and may prove dangerous. It is generally caused by a portion of food entering the larynx instead of passmg over the epiglottis into its proper channel. A shock will often cause the irritating body to be blown upwards, and this result can best be obtamed by giving the patient a sharp slap on the back between the shoulders. Sometimes a piece of food or a fish bone sticks in the gullet. 1 he fish-bone can often be extracted by means ot pliers or tweezers, while solid food can be pushed down the gullet with the forefinger. If this fails administer an emetic, and send for a doctor. When solid articles, such as buttons, pins, nails, etc., are swallowed, on no account ad- minister an emetic. Send at once for the doctor, and if the patient can manage it let him eat new bread or buns to embed the dangerous article without injury to the digestive tract. 7. Suffocation. — Suffocation results from continued breathing of an undue proportion of carbon monoxide in the afterdamp of an explo- sion, or smoke, or certain gases, or the noxious products of combustion of a charcoal, coke, ojj gas fire. The patient must be immediately dragged forth into pure air, and the general treatment for insensibility, which will be de- scribed in detail in the next paper, must be applied. If this is unavailing, artificial re- spiration must be resorted to, and will be described in the next number of Every Woman's Encyclopedia. 8. Strangulation and Hanging. — With all promptitude cut the rope which suspends a person discovered hanging. To do this, first grasp the lower limbs and raise the body, to ease the tension of the rope, and also to prevent a sudden fall, which might cause irreparable injury. Lay the patient on the floor, and treat as for strangulation : that is, cut and remove the band constricting the throat, and apply artificial respiration. A child has been known to be accidentally strangled by its scarf catching in the wheels of its perambulator, unnoticed by the nurse in charge. Fig. 3. Bronchitis kettle. This can be made by fixing to the spout of an ordinary kettle either a funnel or a child's toy trumpet