The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-05-28
PrOmptness and Self.cOntrOl in Sud-
den Illness.

Sudden attacks of illness no doubt fire.
quently terminate fatally, but it is
worthy of notice that such results are
comparatively few if the attack occur
when at home or among those who have
the ability to keep their heads cool and
clear whatever of pain or alarm their
hearts may have to contend with. Most
cases of sudden, almost instantaneous,
death occur when the sufferer is alone,
unable to summon prompt attendance,
or in the streets, or a public assembly,
or in some similar position, where indi-
cations of such an event will cause
tumult, confusion or uncomfortable ex-
cltement. On such occasions the Spec
tators are unbounded in their indica-
tons of real kindness and sympathy, but
mostly lack calmness and self-control:
or, mistaking the cause of the attack,
especially if inexperienced in the care of
the sick; but jealous to do something,
they often administer the wrong rene
dies, and by SO doing hasten the catas-
trophe that by proper treatment might
have been averted. No doubt many are
stricken down and die who could have
been easily saved if some friend had
been near who understood their liability
to acute ailments and was able to hold
himself quiet and steady.
When a person faints, every effort
should be made to dispense the crowd
that will be likely to gather close about
the patient. One, or at the most two,
are all that can act to any good purpose.
Lay the patient down, secure a large
supply of fresh air, battle the face
in cold water, or sprinkle the face
with sudden dash, not to deluge
the patient, but to start circulation
quickly by the shock of the cold water
on the face. Apply cologne, or harts-
horn, but not in rash, impetuous man.
ner. Act rapidly, but calmly and quiz
city, with no loud talking, or quick,
frightened EXPLANATIONS. Everything
of this kind must be avoided, for the re-
turn to consciousness in fainting may be
instantaneous, and usually is, and any
such excitement will be injurious, and
may cause the patient, if nervous or
easily alarmed, to relapse into another
g fainting condition, which will be more
difficult to manage than the first. Rub
or slap the hands quickly, battle the face
freely in cold water, and after dash the
water sharply over the face from the wet
hands. In common cases recovery from
fainting fits is not difficult, but unless il
is speedy send for a physician at once,
while the attendants continue their eff.
forts actively until he comes. 1t is safer
to summon medical aid when there is
any delay, because there may be more
serious state of things than is apparent
to spectators, that a physician could
easily detect and for which he is more
competent to find a remedy.
But it is not always safe when per-
son falls, apparently insensible, to treat
the case as faint. Many have trouble
with the heart, which is not necessarily
alarming if proper attention is paid to
the symptoms at once. But the two,
fainting and heart trouble, are so entirely
unlike that a mistake in treatment, il
not fatal, is very unsafe and source OF
some additional and needless suffering
to those afflicted thereby, especially in .
crowded room or public assembly.
In fainting the pulse is imperceptible,
the face pallid and rigid as the dead
and all power Of moving, all sight anG
hearing are lost. But where the hear
is the seat of trouble, the face, often fol-
a few moments only, is almost purple
then becomes very pale, but not corpse
like, blush tint usually underlying tn,
pallor. In all cases that have come un
der our own immediate knowledge, tn
eyes close firmly, as if glued down, tn
tongue refuses to speak, but the hearin.
and perfect consciousness are unnatural
ly acute, although the limbs refuse t.
perform their duty. The blood rushe
TO the heart faster than the lungs an,
brain can pump it out, the veins on tn
neck seem about to burst and the top G
the head ready to follow. If any on
can administer teaspoonful of ray
whisky instantly, the attack can in mos
cases be almost instantly relieved.
In all cases of heart disturbance, neUe
attempt to lay the patient down. Tha
will fearfully increase the suffering
even If it does not speedily end fatally
Never put ammonia, cologne, or any
thing of the kind to the nose, or sprinkl
cold water in the face. That render
breathing still more difficult. Never ia
person thus afflicted. 1t will stop IL