ache, vertigo, dimness of sight, and feverishness. Sometimes the wound is not much inflamed, while in other cases it becomes red, painful, and swollen, ending in suppuration.

Treatment of Insect-Bites.-1. Cleanse the wound and sponge it thoroughly with a strong solution of ammonia, and afterward cover it with linen or other suitable cloth, wet with solution of ammonia.

2. Poison from bees, hornets, spider-bites, etc., is instantly arrested by the application of equal parts of common salt and bicarbonate of soda, well rubbed in on the place bitten or stung.

ANTIDOTES FOR POISONS-MISCELLANEOUS.

Poison Ivy and Oak: Remedies.-1. The common wild turnip, or "Jack-in-the-Pulpit," as it is called, is an excellent remedy when scraped and applied to the poisoned part. When the blisters have flattened, apply cold cream to heal them sooner.

2. A good remedy for poison by ivy is to dissolve a tablespoonful of copperas in two thirds of a teacup of boiling water, and when cold apply with a cloth to the poisoned places.

3. Rubbing frequently with sweet oil is one of the best remedies. Some use salt and water, and find relief from that.

4. A standing antidote for poison by dew, poison oak, ivy, etc., is to take a handful of quick lime, dissolve in water, let it stand half an hour, then paint the poisoned parts with it. Three or four applications will never fail to cure the most aggravated case.

5. Olive oil is said to be a certain cure. In severe cases it is to be taken inwardly as well as applied externally. Dose: two tablespoonfuls three times a day, keeping the affected parts well oiled all the time. Anointing exposed parts with the oil will prevent poisoning.

6. A few drops of kerosene oil, rubbed in with the point of the finger or a piece of sponge, is a certain and speedy cure for the effects of the poison oak. Repeat for three or four days.

Lead Poisoning. In cases where people frequenting freshly-painted rooms are affected in a disagreeable manner, the poisoning is due to the presence of lead in the paint. Painters are often poisoned by washing paint from their hands by means of turpentine. The turpentine brings the particles of lead into such a condition that they are easily absorbed by the skin. Lead is also found in hair dyes in large quantities, and the glazed visiting cards, so much in vogue a few years ago, owe their resemblance to "mother of pearl" to salt of lead.

Antidotes for Lead Poisoning.-The topical application of cold in lead poisoning has been tried in Clichy, by Professor Monneret, in over forty cases with complete success. Iced drinks and injections, the cold shower-bath two or three times a day, and ice-bags or ice-poultices (of fragments of ice laid in dry linseed meal) are used. The pain and other symptoms disappear, 66 as if by enchantment," and in two or three days the bowels are natural. A red-lead manufacturer of France has discovered that the use of milk at their meals, which he has made obligatory on his workmen, to the extent of one liter daily, preserves those employed in lead works free from any symptoms of lead-disease.

Poisoning by the Filling of Teeth.-A young lady of St. Louis has been suffering for several years past from symptoms of mercurial poisoning. For a long time no cause could be ascertained, but a dentist finding that she had her teeth filled with mercurial amalgam, came to the conclusion that the chlorine contained in her saliva might have generated corrosive sublimate. He therefore removed the amalgam and put in gold. She has since recovered her health.

Poisoning by Wall-Paper.-The habit of putting on the wall layer after layer of wall-paper is very pernicious. Several cases have been discovered lately where there was a mass of decayed paste and paper two inches thick, with a large growth of fungi. The sickness of several members of the families was attributed to the paper.

Phosphorus Poisoning.-Commercial oil of turpentine is a good antidote for poisoning by phosphorus. There is no fatty degeneration of the tis sues, nor is there any free phosphorus found in the system of the animals experimented on. Phosphorus and turpentine oil form in the stomach a compound resembling spermaceti, which is readily excreted.

· Poisoning by Opium.-1. Bisulphide of carbon will cure serious cases of poisoning by opium. Cloths should be saturated with it, and laid along each side of the spinal column its entire length, and covered to prevent evaporation. 2. Fluid extract of belladonna, administered in doses of twenty drops every ten minutes, will arrest the progress of the opiate.

3. Electricity will cure where everything else fails.

How to Act when Poison has been Swallowed: General Directions. -1. Whatever is done must be done quickly. The instant a person is known to have swallowed poison, by design or accident, give water to drink, cold or warm, as fast as possible, a gallon or more at a time, and as fast as vomited drink more; tepid water is best, as it opens the pores of the skin and promotes vomiting, and thus gives the speediest cure to the poisonous article. If pains begin to be felt in the bowels, it shows that part, at least, has passed downward; then large and repeated injections should be given, the object in

both cases being to dilute the poison as quickly and as largely as possible. Do not wait for warm water; take that which is nearest at hand, cold or warm, for every second of time saved is of immense importance; at the same time send instantly for a physician, and as soon as he comes turn the case into his hands, telling him what you have done. Drinking a gallon or two of simple water will not cure every case of poisoning, but it will cure many.

2. If a poison swallowed is known to be an acid by the name on the bottle, or by the discolored spots on the dress, or having a sour taste when the tongue is applied, alkalies will be the proper antidote-such as chalk, magnesia, soda, whiting mixed with milk, or plaster torn from the wall, if nothing better is at hand. If, on the other hand, poisoning has occurred by an alkaline substance, such as pearl-ash, vinegar would arrest its progress. The antidote for corrosive sublimate, is eggs; and for sugar-of-lead, epsom salts.

3. A poison of any conceivable degree of potency which has been swallowed intentionally or by accident, may be rendered instantly harmless by swallowing two gills of sweet oil. An individual with a very strong constitution should take twice the quantity. This oil will neutralize every form of vegetable or mineral poison with which physicians or chemists are acquainted.

4. Arsenic may be rendered inactive in the stomach by a dose of hydrated peroxide of iron, which is prepared by pouring a solution of green vitriol boiled with nitric acid, or of chloride of iron, into ammonia or soda, and washing the precipitate. Both arsenic and peroxide of iron can then be removed by the stomach pump or an emetic.

EMERGENCIES-HOW TO MEET THEM.

Loss of Blood a Real Loss.-Many deaths from wounds might be prevented if the means were immediately at hand for stopping the flow of blood. In any case the loss of blood is a disaster from which it takes a long time to recover. The means to be taken to save life must be adopted instantly, before a surgeon can be called, and therefore ought to be very commonly understood.

Bleeding from Veins.-1. Ordinary bleeding from small cuts or injuries may be stopped by cold water, or ice, or pressure, until a clot has had time to form. The wisdom of our Maker has made this wonderful provision, that as soon as blood ceases to circulate in its proper channels, or comes in contact with the air, it will coagulate. By this means a plug is formed at the mouth of an open vessel to stop the flow of blood. Cold water and various styptics, like sulphate of iron, tannin, alum, and matico, hasten this result.

2. It is said that bleeding from a wound, on man or beast, may be stopped

by a mixture of wheat flour and common salt, in equal parts, bound on with a cloth. If the bleeding be profuse, use a large quantity, say from one to three pints. It may be left on for hours, or even days, if necessary.

Bleeding from Arteries.-Blood may often be seen to flow from one small point of the wound. This indicates the opening of a small artery. Slight pressure with one finger, or the ball of the thumb over the spot, will stop it as long as the pressure is kept up, and often altogether, even after the pressure is removed.

2. Bleeding from a larger artery is indicated at once, by coming in jets at each beat of the heart, and being of a bright scarlet color instead of purple. If the wound be of such a character that the end of the artery can be seen, it can be readily taken up with a hook, or sharp-pointed fork, by any one who keeps his wits about him in spite of the sudden alarm, and tied with a strong thread. Otherwise, tie the limb between the wound and the heart, the simplest device being to bind the handkerchief around, and running a stick beneath the knot, twisting it up until the requisite pressure be attained to stop the bleeding.

Bleeding from the Teeth.-The following is an excellent remedy for hemorrhage arising from the extraction of teeth: Cut a piece of clean dry sponge into cone shape. This should be compressed tightly and introduced into the cavity left by the tooth. As soon as the sponge is dampened it begins to swell, and thus will, in most cases, effectually close the cavity, and prevent bleeding.

N. B. For remedy for bleeding from the nose, see page 146.

Rupture of a Large Blood-vessel.-In case a large artery or vein is cut, especially in a limb, make a knot in a handkerchief, and tie it loosely about the limb, placing the knot on the wound. Then with a stick twist the handkerchief until the flow of blood ceases. A pad can be used instead of a knot. If the artery is ruptured, apply the pressure between the wound and the heart. If a vein, beyond the wound.

Fracture of the Skull.-Send for the physician. If there be a collapse, hot bottles and blankets should be applied to the extremities, and the circulation stimulated by friction with the hands. Diluted injections may be given. These efforts must cease when reaction is secured.

Partial Fainting, and its Relief. — In mild cases of fainting, where partial consciousness remains, stimulating substances, as vapor of ammonia or cologne-water, may be inhaled, and cold water sprinkled in the face, and fresh air introduced into the apartment.

Apparent Insensibility.-No violent measures should be used to arouse a patient who may, or may not, be insensible. Lay him in bed, loosen his clothes, and let him have a free access of air, notice whether the breathing

18 quiet or noisy, regular or irregular, whether there are any convulsive movements of the limbs, whether the urine or feces are passed involuntarily, whether the pupils of both eyes are alike, or larger or smaller than usual, or whether the patient will bear to have his eyes touched, and whether he can be aroused at all. In all cases of apparent insensibility, the attendant should be careful to say nothing to the patient within his hearing, for while he can neither speak nor move, he may yet be perfectly conscious of all that is passing around him, and the effort to speak may do him great injury.

Complete Unconsciousness and its Remedy.-Place the patient inmediately in a recumbent position, with the head lower than the shoulders. Remove all superfluous clothing from the chest and throat. Neck-ties, collars, etc., hinder recovery. Moisten the nostrils with ammonia. Throw cold water into the face, and strike the palms of the hands, and rub them rapidly. Dip a plate in hot water and place it over the stomach and breast-bone. Should all these means fail, try galvanism, placing one pole of the battery at the upper part of the spinal column, and move the other up and down, over the back-bone and the breast-bone.

Dislocation, and its Treatment.-This is the displacement of two or more bones where articular surfaces have lost wholly, or in part, their natural connection, either owing to external violence, or to disease of some of the parts about the joint. Dislocation is complete when the bones have entirely lost their connection; incomplete, when they partly preserve it; and compound, when a wound communicates with the dislocated joint. The first thing to be done is to reduce the protruded bone to its original place, then to retain it in that position by means of splints, ligatured as tightly as the circulation will allow. The circulation must, by no means, be impeded, otherwise mortification will ensue.

Sprains, and How to Cure Them.—A sprain is often more painful and dangerous than a dislocation. It requires immediate attention. The injured part should be wrapped in flannels wrung out of hot water, and covered with a dry bandage, or, what is better, oiled silk. The limb should not be allowed to hang down, but kept in a quiet, easy position, until after all pain has ceased.

Fracture of the Collar-Bone.--If the collar-bone is fractured, the attendants must keep the patient in bed without a pillow, with the arm on the injured side folded across the chest. Keep the part moist with water "until the doctor comes."

Fracture of the Ribs.-If the ribs are fractured, the patient should remain in bed, have a spittoon within reach, so that the expectorations may be duly noted by the physician when he arrives.