The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-06-27
Miscellaneous.
DROWNING ACCIDENTS

Oh the year when nearly every morn
ing paper brings the news of a drown
ing accident. These accidents are
mostly the result of carelessness, ano
as toohshness is a disease, for which
unfortunately there is as yet no speci-
nc curative serum, they will continue
10 happen. There are, however, a GER
tam number of these accidents that
might be avoided if the necessity for
cartul precautions was impressed on
the minds OF individuals who run spe-
clal risks owing to some readily rec
ognlzed physical conditions. There
are number of death from drowning
while bathing in which the victim.
though a good swimmer, seems to
have been utterly unable to make anv
effort to save himself. 1t is usually
considered that in these cases there
was simultaneous series of cramlike
seizures III various groups of muscles
that completely unnerved the swim
mer. There is, however, a growing
doubt III the minds of many physicians
with regard to the acceptance of this
explanation. 1t would seem as though
something more serious than cramps
were the cause of the helplessness that
ensues. Special attention has recent
ly been called to the fact that persons
who have been suffering from middle
ear disease, and who have already had
some symptoms of vertigo, are more
likely to be the victims of these acct
dents than are others. 1t seems not
improbable that something happens in
the semi-circular canals, and that this
is the reason for the utter helplessness.
Swimming is, after all, mainly a bal
ancing feat in the water. The semi
circular canals are the organs of di-
rection, and the maintenance of equili-
brlum depends on them. If there
should be then sudden hemorrhage,
even of very small amount, into this
delicate organ (and the possibility of
such an accident is never far off amid
butteting waves), the result would
surely be serious if the person swim
ming were at the moment beyond his
depth. Persons, then, who suffer
from middle ear disease should be
warned not to take risks in swimming
beyond their depth, particularly on
blustery days, when breaking waves
are likely to prove sources of injury
to structures that are already not in
the best resistive condition.
There is another class of cases for
whom warning also seems necessary.
Certain neurotic individuals are espec-
tally liable to suffer from cramplike
seizures that for a time prevent the
use of their limbs. Unfortunately this
class of persons is rather prone to
make fool-hardy attempts to swim dis
tances beyond their strength. Their
neurOtic habit makes them especially
liable, through auto suggestion, to lose
control over their motor apparatus,
and consequently to become helpless
on such a swimming journey If there
is no one near them the fright adds to
their paretic condition, and the result
is that, unless rescue is immediate, an
other drowning accident is added to
the long list. Not a few of these per-
sons have had warnings in the shape
of sudden moments of fright, during
which their swimming power was Sc
riously impaired, on previous occa-
sions, and yet they dare to encounter
similar danger again because they har-
Dor the notion that by training they
can discipline themselves not to be so
timorous This is, however, an ex-
IRENE imprudent procedure. AS a mat
ter Of fact, all persons with any ten
dency to cramplike seizures should be
advised against going beyond their
depth except under such circumstances
that they can be assured of prompt as
sistance in case of drOwning.-Journal