FAINTING Loss of cOnsciousness often causes considerable alarm, and, in fact, should not be treated as a light mat ter, because it may be a preliminary to a grave illness.
The first thing to discover in the case of insensibility is the cause. No tice the surroundings. The condition may be due to a fall, fright, loss of blood, drunkenness, or poisoning. Convulsions would suggest epileptic fits, hysteria, or kidney disease. If, however, the cause of the injury is known, then a systematic examina tion of the body should be made. The presence of a wound or bruise or bleeding would throw light upon the cause. Examine the eyes. If they are sensitive to the touch, brain in juries may be eliminated. If the pu pils are contracted, it is indicative of opium poisoning, while unequal con traction is a sign of brain lesions. If the face be drawn to one side, it would suggest paralysis. A bloated face or the odor of liquor would be the sign of intoxication.
the patient on his back. If the face is white and blood less, have his head lower than his body. Let him have plenty of fresh air. Loosen the clothing. Apply cold water to the face. This in most cases will bring a return to conscious ness. Aromatic spirits of ammonia is a good thing to use as a smelling salts and to give internally when con sciousness returns.
The above treatment is applicable in all cases of simple fainting due to weakness, mental emotions, and close, warm atmosphere of crowds.
In the event of fainting from shock following an accident, there may be more marked symptoms, such as cold ness of the skin, dilatation of the pupils, and weak heart action.
In addition to the above treatment, the skin should be rubbed briskly, bleeding, if any, controlled, wounds dressed, and broken bones bound up. Hot-water bottles, flatirons, or plates should be applied to the extremities. Hot coffee is a good stimulant.
The temperament of the injured person is an important factor in de termining the amount of shock. Some people go into hysterics over a very simple thing. I have known people
to faint at the very sight of blood.
One experience comes to my mind of a young lady who was the sweetheart of a member of a volunteer regiment. He had violated some rule of the regiment and was placed in the guard house for twenty-four hours as a penalty. The young lady was told of the circumstance, and was so over come that she fell in a dead faint. She was picked up from the street and carried into a store. Seizing a glass of water from the counter in the store, I soaked a handkerehief in it and applied it to her face. She im mediately revived. She seemed com posed for a time, but suddenly she seemed overwhelmed with the terrible thought that her lover was impris oned behind iron bars unjustly, and that she would not be able to see him nor hear his familiar voice for twen ty-four long hours. She ran down the street toward the armory, but fell in a dead faint in the middle of the car tracks. I rushed out, and dragged her from in front of a rap iclly approaching car. Again I ap plied the wet cloth, and she imme diately revived. This time I held on to her wrist and gave her a good talking to. This proved a very ef fective means of treatment.
Stunning.— A condition of the mind extending from bewilderment to insensibility, due to shaking of the brain by sudden violence. Concus sion of the brain. Pilcher mentions three varieties: (1) Slight Stanning.—After a blow or fall, the patient is confused and pale, and the pulse weak for a few moments. Treatment: Rest, lying down, and apply wet cloth to head.
(2) Moderate Stunning.—Patient insensible and immovable, skin cold, pulse weak, eyes closed, pupils con tracted. May be aroused, but returns to unconsciousness. Then comes a period of returning consciousness and restlessness; vomiting often oc curs on return to consciousness. Treatment: Rest, lying down, quiet of body. Apply heat to -feet and low er part of body, and cold to head.