The ship captain's medical guide / compiled by Harry Leach ; revised and enlarged by William Spooner.
- Leach, Harry.
- Date:
- 1901
Licence: In copyright
Credit: The ship captain's medical guide / compiled by Harry Leach ; revised and enlarged by William Spooner. Source: Wellcome Collection.
139/216 page 117
![He toains at the mouth, his hands are clenched, his breathing is suspended, face is distorted and livid ; he bites his tongue, and for the moment appears at the point of death. In a short time the convulsions cease, and he awakes heavy and stu[)iil, witli no recollection of what has taken place. The onlv thing to do during the attack is to raise the head, loosen the neckerchief, throw cold water on tlie face, and i)revent him from injuring himself. Put a ]hece of soft wood or a handkerchief between his teeth to prevent his tongue from being bitten. The best medicine to give to prevent a return of the attack is the Hromide of ArnTuonium ; this may be given in doses of 15 grains dissolved in water, three times a day, and must be continued for some weeks to do any good. Xo one liable to epilepsy should go to sea. F.-viNTiNti is due to failure of the heart’s action, and is caused by loss of blood, by weakness from any debilitating illness, by hunger, or fright, d’he patient suddenly feels giddy and staggers, and then, ])erha.})S, falls down and loses consciousness. Treatment.—I^ay patient on liis back and sprinkle cold water on the face and chest. Loosen the clothes round the neck and chest, and expose the body to a cold draught. When consciousness returns give a little stimulant, such as a teaspoonful of Aromatic Spirit of Ammonia in a wineglassful of water, or a few spoonfuls of brandy in water. Then find out the cause and treat accordinglv. 4/](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b28992349_0139.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
