The people's common sense medical adviser in plain English; or, medicine simplified / by R.V. Pierce.

  • Pierce, R. V. (Ray Vaughn), 1840-1914.
Date:
1891
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The people's common sense medical adviser in plain English; or, medicine simplified / by R.V. Pierce. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Woodruff Health Sciences Center Library at Emory University, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Woodruff Health Sciences Center Library, Emory University.

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    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 unsuc- cessful, replace the patient upon his face, care being taken to raise and support his chest, then turn the body gently on the side and quickly again upon the face. Alternate these move- ments about every four seconds, and occasionally change sides. When the body is turned on the face, gentle but efficient pres- sure 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 or infusion of tobacco are injurious. Avoid the constant applica- tion 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 per- mitted 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