|
or do something equally stupid. If possible, send at once for a medical man, and while awaiting his arrival, wrap a towel round the head as cold as possible, get hot water as soon as you can. But, as these seizures generally take place in the night, and when there is no hot water available, some little time elapses before it can be procured. In the meantime the wet towel may effect a recovery. I have seen it do so several times. If not, put the child into a hot bath, still retaining the cold towel on the head. If the child is young, be sure the water is not too hot; if you can bear your elbow in it it is right. This way of testing the temperature of a bath is not generally known. It is simple and reliable, for if you can bear the tip of the elbow in the water the youngest infant can safely be put into it. Sometimes it is sufficient to plunge the feet only into hot water, in which a tablespoonful of mustard has been mixed. A dose of medicine should be given as soon as possible, or better still, an enema; for very often convulsions are caused by a sluggish state of the bowels. When this is known or suspected to be the case, an enema of |
warm soapy water, and a teaspronful of castor oil should be administered at once. The pain from cutting teeth often results in a fit of convulsions. Then, if not within reach of a doctor to lance the gums, the mother or nurse can safely do it with a sharp lancet, or, failing that, the small sharp blade of a penknife. Sometimes rubbing the gums with a silver thimble will rub them through. When the patient is past the teething age, convulsions may result from over-feeding, or improper food, and then, as soon as consciousness is restored, give an emetic of ipecacuanha wine—a teaspoonful every quarter of an hour—till the desired effect is produced. Though very terrifying to witness, convulsions are not necessarily dangerous or fatal, though of course they are sometimes; a great deal depends upon the cause of the seizure. I have seen the wet towel on the head
successful in restoring consciousness several times, without any other treatment, so I recommend it to mothers whose little ones are liable to convulsions. But, as I mentioned before, I do not advocate the doing without a doctor. |
POISONS.
| The great thing in cases of poisoning is presence of mind. Do not lose your head, and common sense will suggest a remedy. More lives have been lost through sheer fright in the bush than poisons have caused. As a matter of course, the treatment must be prompt in all cases where poisons has been swallowed, and as in most cases there is no prospect of obtaining a medical man in time, whoever is in charge must remember that he is in the place of responsibility, and in a manner answerable.
|
this class of lunatics. The symptoms of poisoning by arsenic, that is when taken in a quantity, either by mistake or for purpose of suicide, are—heat and violent pain in the stomach, followed by vomiting yellow, green, and bloody matter; violent thirst, purging, quick pulse, though small and irregular; breathing difficult; speaking painful; skin cold and clammy. Sometimes there are convulsions and cramps, but these latter symptoms are speedily followed by death. For treatment give warm water, lime water, linseed tea, or anything to cause vomiting. Some people are made sick very easily; others cannot vomit at all, save with great difficulty. It is best to ask the patient this before trying anything, as he may know something that will make him sick. I have seen leeches applied to the bowels, and all that part of the |
