Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 4, 1802).djvu/185

159&#93; S UF the shouldeVs and back will be advisable : the steam of milk, or water, should be inhaled, and the throat be tickled with a feather dipped in oil. Farther, the patient ought to take copious draughts of water-gruel, milk, oil of almonds, or any other lubricating fluid 5 and, if the bodies adhering to the throat be Hunt, they may be thrust down by means of a long wax taper, which has been previously render- ed pliable by warmth, and also immersed in oil : or, if this cannot be speedily procured, a piece of sponge may be fastened to a wire, which should be covered with leather, then oiled, and employed for a similar purpose. — See also Gullet, and Metallic pointed substances. The vapour arising from boiling wines or strong liquors, when in- haled, tends to impede the circu- lation of the blood, and sometimes even produce suffocation. Similar consequences may ensue from in- spiring the fumes of sulphur, anti- mony, and a variety of other mi- neral and vegetable substances, particularly of Charcoal. First symptoms cif'suffucation : — Giddiness; head-ach ; lethargy; fainting ; convulsions ; and gene- ral torpor. External appearjince of persons suffocated by the deleterious fumes arising from charcoal ; various me- tals, such as copper, lead, antimo- ny, and mercury ; the vapours from fermented liquors, moist wood, flax, and turf; as well as in consequence of respiring or sleeping in unventilated apart- ments, caverns, and mines : — ^I'he head, face, and neck are swoln; the eyes arc propelled from their sockets: the tongue is protrud- S U F [is9 ed at one side of the mouth ; the jaws arc firmly closed ; the face is of a livid, and the lips are of a deep-blue colour; the abdo- men is inflated; the body is insen- sible to pain, and appears to be in a profound sleep. Immediately on discovering a person in such unfortunate situa- tion, the windows and doors ought to be opened ; the body undressed, removed to the open air, and sup- ported iy a leaning posture on a chair. Next, the patient must be covered with flannel or blankets, the face be sprinkled with vinegar, and the pit of the stomach with cold water ; and, if it be conveni- ent, the whole body, or at least the legs, should be plunged into a cold bqth. After each application of vinegar or water, the skin ought to be rubbed with flannel or a soft brush ; then leaving the person, thus situated, for a few minutes in an undisturbed state. Farther, clysters consisting of vinegar and water, will be useful ; 2nd, on the return of life, an inclination to vo- mit must be promoted by a feather dipped in oil, while gentle fri6tioii is to "be continued, at intervals. The first symptoms indicating this happy change, will be, foaming at the mouth, and shivering of the whole body, especially after affu- sions of cold water. In some cases of suffocation, however, it will be advisable to em- ploy the united powers of ele6tri- city ; blood-letting ; ironchotomy, or the opening the wind-pipe by an incision ; or the earth-bath ; or the artificial introdu(Siion of air into the lungs, by means of a pair of bellows described vol. ii. pp. igo- 91. — If these efforts prove suc- cessfulj so that the patient is again able