Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1897-08-12
m CASE OF sYNCOPE.
moMENTARY HEART PARALYSIS TIT,
REQUIRES STtMuLANTS.

REQUIRES STiMULANTS.
t,tf,srent Methods of Trcatusca0 ai'' sA"''
They Should Be Appiied-ss hatever. -
.,,,st Re Done without Delay,
which, Is Dangerous.
II in an everyday occurrence TO see
nersons In a weak condition, just up
from a sickbed or under the influence
~ some great emotion, grow suddenly
male, lose consciousness ana ralnt.
more or less complete suspension o.
breathing takes place, corresponding 10
a check. or, at any rate, to consioer-
able decrease in the circulation OF the
blood. This condition is called synoope'
and Is in reality momentary paraiy Sls
Of the heart If immediate help Is NOV
afforded. syncope may in some cases %
the cause of DEATH
Nothing is better known thah me
different means to be used III case "a
svncope: the most important points arr
n Facilitate the flow Of the BLOOD 70
keep up what remains OF the weakeneo
o,,or,v IF the heart contraction ana 20
remove every obstacle to RESTORATION u
the circulation Of the blood.
From these points Of view to place
tho natient in horizontal position Is
nractice that is as efficacious as 1t IS
! habitual In this way not only ~ -
easier for the heart to keep the mass Oh
blood in motion, but the head. which 1t
ia hest to put in lower position than
/ the body. receives larger supply OF
blood than before, SO that the lack OF
Mood in the brain. the initial cause OF
the syncope, is very largely compen-
stated.
To carry still further this relative
congestion Of the brain, 1t has even deem
suggested to stand such patients liter
aliv on their head, and by following
this nractice, as nearly as could be done,
Nelaton ard Campbell reported cases IN
which uatients were brought back TO
consciousness who would otherwise nave
infallibly succumbed.
II It is with similar purpose that we
, should make all haste to remove the
J patient's corset, to loosen collar ana
crayat-in word, to loosen all the
clotbine-and to carry the patient into
the omen air. In this way many Cd
stacles to the circulation Of the BLOOD
are removed, but the special advantage
j ! in the practice is that the expansion OF
: the lungs becomes less iE,peded ano
D easier
q IF. however, in spite Of those meas
/ lures Of relief, the syncope continues, We
( must have recourse to reNeoles OF an
other kind, numerous and vailed III ma
r ture. but all designed to bring back ant
: stimulate the contraction of the hear
: muscle.
The return Of general Consciousness
should be stimulated by suaden and VIC
lent shaking Of the patient. ny dash
o ing cold water OF tho face and by rub
IS bling the skin with alcohol OR vinegar
J These are best applied to the temples
lips or palms Of the hands. It is ais
II we'll to rub the hands and feet, limb
and even the entire surface Of the bod
r, in an energetic manner with bal
., glove or any other rough tissue Wit
:! which any stimulating lotion that ma
be at hand can be applied, such as Dral
dy or eau de cologne.
The special senses should also I
W stimulated. The patient should be mad
to breathe any strongly smelling stu
that may be at han3-sal volatile, vii
nj epar, acetio aoid or ammonia. By thef
le different means, which are more or ie!
III energetic and almost always effic'
IT, oious, the stimulants Of the heart col
fractions bring back its beats, while tt
resumption Of circulation carries ont
K more to the brain the blood necessal
for its working.
IL these different means are still Il
"a sufficient, artificial respiration shou
lie be resorted to without delay. The p
tent should be placed on the back, IL
head as low as possible, turned to Of
side and the mouth wide open. The o
re orator stands at the side of the hea
seizes the two elbows firmly and draw
'ut them as far upward and away from Z
GU body as possible, thereby dilating e
- chest and allowing the air to enter ii
lungs.
An assistant, placed by the patient
legs, rests both hands on the sides
The the base of the chest and brings prt
sure to bear on 1t at the very nome
when the patients elbows are bel
- brought back to the sides again afI
having been raised to a maximum.
a word, the assistant acts in such W
as to help to drive out the air that
IND been sent into the lungs by the exit
sion Of the arl-ls. Two skillful ope
Is tors can in this way. by working W
- together, carry on an almost normal I
gree Of breathing.
It Is advisable lot to go too quick
as the average human being does
nte breathe more than about 16 time'
minute.
anK If in one or two minutes the sync'
has not come 10 az end, there is no
relying any longer on this measure, s
it will be best to resort to rhythmi
fractions Of the tongue according
the method of NJ Laborde Of Pa
This method, which is constantly G
ing the most unhoped fer results
cases of asphyxia. consists in open
the patients mouth, in selzlng
tongue with the fingers and piec'
linen and in drawing it forward "
strong rhythmical fractions, slowly
methodicaliy, Is to IS times min
The return to consciousness is usu;
y announced by the utterance Of lo
deep and long expiration.
When the patient has recovered Il
\ the fainting ct, the syDcope is natur
y cured, but we have still to try to
\ vent a recurrence Of this disagreei
Ia: no flOrtn r,QfT