The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1896-10-24
Emergency Remedies.


No season ever passes without a certain
number Of accidents peculiar to the season
and born Of its outdoor life. One ef these
is the bite of dog, which, always alarm
ing, is doubly so to the timid and nervous,
who regard all dogs as dangerous in hot
weather For the consolation of such it
must be repeated that the bite of dog
even mad one-does not inevitably re-
suit in hydrophobia, though it is certainly
wise to treat any bite vigorously and so
prevent evil results.
In cool head lie both prevention and
care, says the Philadelphia Ledger When
attacked by dog, remember that he, by
instinct, flies at the uncovered portion of
your body. If you are brave enough, you
can help yourself little by concealing
your hands or protecting your face. As
a dogs saliva contains the poison, his
teeth as they pass through the clothing are
wiped free of some of it before they enter
the flesh, and thus a bite through the
clothing is robbed of part of its dangers.
Nevertheless, attend to the bite at once;
BAohAplhSco 10 blC pllSf vi safety. SluCt Alit
poison, If introduced into the blood, dees
not act unless the germs are allowed to
circulate in the ordinary way The OBJ
ject, then, is to stop the circulation be-
tween the wound and the heart, and to
allow much blood to flow away. If pos
sible, tie a string or ligature on the side
of the bite next the heart, and then wash
the wound long and freely, changing the
water constantly. Warm water is best,
but cold is sometimes all that can be pro-
cured Hfar from water, the wound may
be sucked by any one whose mouth and
lips are free from cracks In the mean
time reliable doctor should have been
sent for. When he comes he may cauter-
ize the place, but he is the only one to do
this; all you can do is to bathe the bite
till he comes
Another series of accidents is the va
riety of falls to which children are exposed,
especially the city child who loves to
climb, but is in utter ignorance of the
art. He essays tree or a barn roof, and
in a short time is laid limp and white in
his distracted mothers arms.
When the head has been struck, insen-
sibility, more or less complete, ensues If
the fall has been slight, the stunned
condition lasts only few moments, and
quickly gone; but if the shock has been
severe, the child may lie insensible for
hours-a sufficient alarming condition, but
one not necessarily desperate.
A physician should be summoned at
once, as there are many symptoms during
and following unconsciousness which are
as sign-posts to his experience. Before
he has come, the patient should be placed
fiat on his back, with the head very
slightly lifted, and particular care must
be exercised to prevent the chin falling
upon his chest, nor should the head be al
lowed to 'wobble, as it will if the sup
port is too far under the shoulders. The
whole idea must be to create free pas
sage for air into the lungs Loosen all
tight clothing-collar, waistband, garters-
fan vigorously or let the air blow freely on
the face, keeping the body warm, and
shade the patient from the glar even of
ordinary daylight. Apply cold to the
head and heat to the feet and limbs. 1t
is most essential to secure absolute quiet
for him.
Never attempt to give stimulants nor
any kind of food to an unconscious per
SON. because he cannot swallow, and any
thing put into his mouth has every chance
of entering his windpipe and sutfocating
him. For the same reason it is always
well to see that there is nothing in the
mouth to impede breathing. The tongue
may have fallen back, and so closed the
orifce; it should then be gently drawn
forward, and it will not fall back again if
the head is sufficiently and properly pill
lowed
But remember that keeping your own
wits about you may mean the life Of your
patient. Do not attempt to do too much
without skilled advice Nature is bet
ter doctor than the ignorant, though low
ing, friends who come with countless sug-
gestions In many cases "cure' is writ
ten ''rest.
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