Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1884-03-05
Facts Worth Remembering.

Sudden deaths do not come from
heart-disease, one case in twenty, but
from congestion of the lungs or brain,
or from apoplexy. More die from con-
gestion of the lungs than of the brain,
and more of congestion of the brain
than apoplexy.
Sudden death from heart-disease is
usually caused by rupture of some large
artery near the heart; from congestion
of the lungs, by instantly stopping
the breath; from congestion OF the
brain, by causing pressure on the brain
which paralyzes and instantly destroys
life; from apoplexy, by hemorrhage in
the brain.
Heart-disease most frequently results
from neglected or improperly-tr
rheumatism. Itmore often follows mild
rheumatism than the severe kind, be-
cause severe rheumatism receives
prompt treatment, while the mild form
is often neglected and left to work its
way to the heart.
Persons who suppose themselves suf-
fering from heart-disease because they
have pain in the region of the heart, or
palpitation, seldom have any disease of
that organ. In nine cases out of ten
they are suffering from dyspepsia
nothing more. Congestion of the lungs
is most frequently caused by sudden
change from the heat of an ill-ventilated
room, or railroad-car, or horse-car, to
the cold air outside, without being pro-
tected by sufficient clothing; hence,
many persons thus seized drop dead in
the streets.
Congestion of the brain most fire.
quently results from trouble and anxi-
ETY. of mind, producing slecplessness,
followed by the engagement of the
small blood-vessels of the brain, sudden
loss of vital power, and almost instant
death. Apoplexy may be an inherited
disease, or it may be induced by too
free living, or its opposite, too great
abstemiousness. Paralysis may affect
only small portion of the body, from
a finger or toe to an entire limb, or it
may disable half the body, or the whole
body, when death soon follows. When
half the body is affected by paralysis,
we may be certain that the seat of the
disease is in the opposite side of the
brain, because nerve fibers cross. Par
tial paralysis is often temporary when
caused by the rupture of small blood
vessel, if the clot is got rid of by absorp-
ton or otherwise.
Although this is n disease that all
classes of people are liable to, its most
destructive work is done among the de-
PRAYED and dissipated There is no
doubt that the habitual use of tobacco is
one of the most prominent causes of
paralysis and other nerve diseases.
A severe cold may be soonest cured
by remaining within doors, in n warm
room and near the fire, until all signs
of it have disappeared. Then care
should be taken to prevent relapse by
having the feet warmly clad, and the
whole body, and particularly the chest
and the back of the neck, well pro-
tccted when going out.
To stop bleeding, if from a cavity in
the jaw after tooth has been extracted,
shape cork into the proper form and
size to cover the bleeding cavity, and
long enough to be kept firmly in place
when the mouth is closed. This, we be-
lieve, is our own invention, and we have
never known it to fail. 1t has served
us III desperate eases.
When an artery is cut, the red blood
spurts out at each pulsation. Press the
thumb firmly over the artery near the
wound, and on the side toward the
heart. Press hard enough to stop the
bleeding and wait till physician comes.
The wounded person is often able to do
this himself if he has the requisite
knowledge.
Simple fractures may be adjusted by
almost any ons. Get the limb as nearly
as possible in the natural position, and
then send for the doctor. There is no
great urgency in such cases.
In fracture of the skull, with COM
preston and loss of consciousness, ex-
anime the wound, and, if possible, raise
the broken edges of the skull so rs to
relieve the pressure on the brain.
Prompt action will often save life.
In case of poisoning, the simple rule
is to get the poison out of the stomach
as soon as possible. Mustard and salt
act promptly as emetics, and they are
always at hand. Stir tablespoonful
in glass of water, and let the person
swallow il quickly. If it does not
cause vomiting in five minutes, repeat
the dose. After vomiting, give the
whites of two or three eggs, and send
for the doctor.
Burns and scalds are soonest relieved
by an application of cold water. Dry
carbonate of soda, or baking soda,
sprinkled over the burned spot, is the
latest remedy, and is said to be very
effectual. These means are only tenn
porary. In severe cases, a physician
should be sent for.-HaWS journal Of
Health.