Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 4, 1802).djvu/207

181&#93; swo a place, where it grows gradu- ally deeper, till it reach to the breast : the face must then be turned towards the shore, and an egg be thrown into the water, to -such a depth that it csn only be obtained by diving. The novice is then to plunge down, when he will find that the element buoys him up against his inclination : he will feel its power of keeping him afloat, and consequently learn to venture into it, without apprehension. Considered as an exercise, Swim- ming is equally amusing and use- ful ; because it combines the ad- vantages of the cold bath and mus- cular exertion. Hence we would uniformly recommend to plunge into the water with the head fore- most ; while the body is neither cold nor overheated : no dangerous rivers, or muddy streams, should be sele6ted ; nor should this attempt be made, till the water has in some degree been warmed by the genial rays of tiie sun. — Other precau- tions, necessary to be observed, having already been stated under th^ article Bath, we refer the reader to vol. i. pp. 186-88. — See also Bamboe-habit, and Cork. Swine. See Hog. SWINGING, a species of pas- sive exercise, which is performed in certain contrivances, known un- der the name of swirigi/ig viachines or cars ; by the undulating motion of which, the body is tossed in an ascending and descending direftion. Swinging greatly contributes to health j and has occasionally proved very serviceable to persons of con- sumptivehabits : it islikewiseof con- siderable advantage to sedentary individuals ; but it ought not to be repeated, if it excite giddiness, head- .ach, or other unpleasant efFefts. JS WOON, or Syncope, is a sud' SWO [iSi den fainting, in which the aftion of the heart is diminished, or for a time entivi-ly suspended. It is ge- nerally preceded by anxiety, diffi- cult respiration ; the pulse being low and tremulous ; the patient turning cold and pale, so that he is nearly deprived of all sensation.-— In some instances, these symp- toms are more urgent ; the limbs are flexible, but exhausted of their strength ; and the whole body is in a state of deadly, cold torpor. It is remarkable, that patients, during' the fit, often hear the whole con- versation respe6ting them, but feel the want of power to exert them- selves : the recovery is, in most cases, announced by deep and heavy sighs. When swooning occurs in the commencement of acute disorders, it is generally an unfavourable onien ; though, in the advanced stages, it is less alarming : in vio- lent bleedings, it frequently afford* relief; but, when faintings occur, without any apparent cause, there will be just apprehension of danger. Causes : — Long continued exer- tions of the mmd, such as deep study ; violent passions ; loss of strength from profuse evacuations, particularly of blood; hunger; pain j want of rest; surfeits; impure air j worms; narcotic poisons; ani affeftions of the interior organs. Cu?e : — ^I'he patient should im- mediately be exposed to the open air, and be sprinkled with cold wa-» ter on the neck and face. Strong, pungent odours, or volatile spirits held to the nostrils, ought to be used with caution; and only where the strength of the patient has been considerably reduced, espe- cially in hysterics and hypochon- driasis ; in these cases, spirit of hartshorn, tindture of valerian, cafrt N3 tor.