The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-07-29
Medical Notes.
sEAsoNABLE SUGGESTIONS.

SEASONABLE SUGGESTIONS.
Shock or collapse is the result of IN
juries to the nervous system and TO
blows, operations, fright, grief light
ming, etc. The face is pale and pinched.
the pulse almost imperceptibIe, the
breathing very feeble, irregular and sigh
ing, the functions of respiration and
circulation being reduced to a minimum.
Place the patient in a horizontal position
and remove all tight clothing, collars,
waist bands, belts, corsets, ETC.; apply
warmth to the extremitfes and to the pit
of the stomach. Give stimulants eau
tiously, in small quantities, at frequent
intervals, until the hearts action be-
comes stronger and the patient begins to
rally. If the collapse is due to loss of
blood check the hemorrhage at once and
watch carefully TO see that stimulants
do not cause it recurrence. In case Of in
ternal hemorrhage, injuries of the brain,
wounds of the chest and abdomen, be
extremely cautious in using stimulants
Of any kind.
Severe shock or collapse may end in
death by heart failure or paralysis or in
gradual return to health. Usually
there is state OF reaction of greater
or less intensity, according to the dura-
ton and degree of the collapse. Stirnu-
lants given too freely simply exaggerate
and lengthen this state OF fever which
ordinarily subsidies within twenty-four
hours.
On the other hand when there has been
extreme prostration prior to the shock,
or the subject is addicted excessively to
alcohol, or has been debilitated or en-
hausted by long and severe work, loss
of sleep or mental anxiety the stimulus
of reaction is expended on the nervous
system and prostra.ion with excitement
ensues, characterized by muscular tTe-
mors and low delirium, muttering. etc.
This state demands rest and quiet with
nutrition and stimulation. with opiates,
which should never be given except by
the orders and under the direction of a
physician.
Sunstroke is not>necessartly due to d.
rect exposure to the suns rays. 1t is
really heat fever due to excessive heat,
cyerexertion and an insufficient supply
of water. The patient at first has
sense of oppression Of the chest and
headache thought becomes confused
and the limbs tremble Later on the pa
tient falls insensible the pulse is quick,
compressible and small, sometimes inter
mittent. The breathing IS short, shall
low and interrupted by long-drawn signs.
The lips are Hvid ConVulstons occur
every two or three minutes, which grad
ually relax for few seconds, with
slight twitcfing in the intervals, fofb9d
ing a recurrence. The patient also
clutches at the breast as If to remove
some obstruction to breathing. Unless
speedily and properly treated death VIII
occur Under the best OF circumstances
congestion of the brain is likely to ensue,
especially in old people and cause par
alysis.
Remove the sufferer at once to the
nearest shade Remove the outer cloth
ing at least loosen all constructing
bands, such as belts, eorsets ana. collars.
Apply cold water TO the face, head ana
body constantly to cool the blood by
evaporation. If the patient can swallow
give small quantities of water frequently,
but do not give ice water under any elr,
eumstances, although this may be used
TO moisten the face and body. If the pa
tent does not rally, but remains in
stupor treat the same as in apoplexy
- =
Apoplexy is due to an effusion Of blood
producing pressure on the brain, the
SYMPTOMS being sudden insensibility,
flushed face, a full hard pulse, slow and
Iabored; the breathing being slow, irreg-
ular and labored, the inspiration being
snoring: with a characteristic putting out
of the lips in expira ton. The pupils are
insensible to light and perhaps of different
size, while one or both sides of the BODY
may be paralyzed. the features being
drawn Place the body in a prone posi-
ton, with the head raised. Loosen the
clothing around the neck and waist. APP
ply ice or cold water to the head and hot
water or mustard to the feet. Do not
give any medicine and especially avoid
stimulants of any kind. Such cases should
always be attended by physician and
domestic medicine be set aside
Painting is a temporary paralysis of the
heart, resulting from fright, pain, ex-
haustion, loss of blood, or purely nervous
causes. The heart beats quickly, but with
SO little power that 1t cannot force the
blood to the brain. The face and lips
become pallid, the pulse is almost imper-
cepfiioIe AM cold sweat bedews the skin.
The patient becoi2es .giddy, faint and
nauseated, has ringing in the ears and
i1distinetness of vision ans lapses into
Inconsistencies. -=z'-,s-
When it is seen that a person Is about
to faint. he or she should be caught to