Camping and woodcraft - Scoutmastercg.com

ACCIDENTS AND EMERGENCIES 429harm than good. If it be a case of drowning orfreezing, you will know at once. Sunstroke ismarked by a hot, dry skin. Bleeding, bruises, andswelling speak for themselves. If, however, thereare none of these symptoms, examine the patientwith care.Observe, first, w^hether the face is pale or flushed.If pale, and the pupils of the eyes are natural, it isa simple case of fainting; if the pupils are dilated,the face pale, with cold sweat, the pulse weak andquick, probably there has been concussion of thebrain.On the other hand, a flushed and turgid face,respiration snoring, a slow and full pulse, are symptomscommon to apoplexy, drunkenness, and opiumpoisoning. It is very important to distinguish betweenthese. Odor of liquor in the breath is notconclusive ; for a person struck down by apoplexymay have been drinking. A drunken man may havefallen and suffered concussion of the brain, thuscomplicating the case.In apoplexy due to hemorrhage in the brain, oneside of the patient generally is paralyzed. He cannotbe aroused, even with ammonia to the nose.His eyeballs are not sensitive to touch. A mandrunk or "doped" generally can be aroused for amoment by dashing cold water in his face. A bottleof liquor, laudanum, or morphine, is likely to befound on or near him. In alcoholic poisoning thepupils are dilated and equal; in opium poisoning,they are extremely contracted.Drowning.—Clean any mud or water from themouth with a handkerchief on the finger, loosen alltight clothing, and expose the chest and waist. Slipyour hands under the man's waist and lift him highenough for his head to hang down and drain thewater out of him. Give two or three quick, smartingslaps on his naked chest with the open hand.If this fails to restore breathing, then start at once