, or
spirit of salt; nitric
, or
aquafortis; sulphuric
, or
oil of vitriol
.)


E Acid burning taste, acute pain in the gullet and throat, vomiting of bloody fluid, which effervesces when chalk is added to it; hiccough, tenderness of the belly, cold sweats, pinched face, convulsions, and death.
A Give calcined magnesia, chalk, soap and water. Administer frequent draughts of water to weaken the acid with carbonate of soda, potass, or magnesia, to neutralize it; thick soap-suds made with common soap; chalk, or in default of the alkalies and chalk, break down the plaster of the wall or ceiling, mix in water, and give the sufferer. Excite vomiting, and repeat the remedies till all the acid is neutralized.

1353.  Chlorine (gas)


E Violent coughing, tightness of the chest, debility, inability to stand.
A The vapour of caustic ammonia to be inhaled, or ten drops of liquid ammonia to one ounce of water to be taken.
T Dash cold water over the face, and relieve urgent symptoms.

1354.  Lead


(
Sugar of; red lead; wine sweetened by; and water impregnated with
).


E Sugary astringent metallic taste, tightness of the throat, pains as if caused by colic, violent vomiting, hiccough, convulsions, and death.
A Epsom or Glauber's salt; plaster of Paris; or phosphate of soda.
T An emetic of sulphate of zinc (twenty-four grains to half a pint of water); leeches to belly; fomentations if necessary; and a dose of castor oil mixed with laudanum.

1355.  Phosphorus


E Intense burning and pain in the throat and stomach.
A Magnesia and carbonate of soda.
T Large draughts of cold water, and tickle the throat with a feather.
Caution Do not give oil or milk.

1356.  Lime


E Burning in the throat and stomach, cramps in the belly, hiccough, vomiting, and paralysis of limbs.
A Vinegar or lemon juice.
T Thin starch water to be drunk frequently.

1357.  Alkalies


(
Caustic potash; soda; ammonia
.)


E Acrid, hot, disagreeable taste; burning in the throat, nausea, and vomiting bloody matter; profuse purging, pain in the stomach, colic, convulsions, and death.
A Vinegar and vegetable acids
T Give linseed tea, milk, almond or olive oil, and excite vomiting.

1358.  Baryta


(
Carbonate, pure
, and
muriate
of,
See
Lime
para
.
1356
.)

1359.  Nitre


E Heartburn, nausea, violent vomiting, purging, convulsions, difficult breathing, violent pain in the bowels, kidneys, and bladder, with bloody urine.
T Emetics, frequent draughts of barley water, with castor oil and laudanum.

1360.  Narcotic Poisons


(
Bane berries; fool's parsley; deadly nightshade; water hemlock; thorn apple; opium, or laudanum; camphor, &c.
)


E Giddiness, faintness, nausea, vomiting, stupor, delirium, and death.
T Give emetics, large draughts of fluids, tickle the throat, apply smelling salts to the nose, dash cold water over the face and chest, apply mustard poultices, and, above all, endeavour to rouse the patient by walking between two persons; and, if possible, by electricity; and give forty drops of sal-volatile in strong coffee every half-hour.

1361.  Vegetable Irritating Poisons


(
Mezsreon; monk's-hood; bitter apple; gamboge; white hellebore, &c.
)


E Acrid, biting, bitter taste, choking sensation, dryness of the throat, retching, vomiting, purging, pains in the stomach and bowels, breathing difficult, and death.
T Give emetics of camomile, mustard, or sulphate of zinc; large draughts of warm milk, or other bland fluids; foment and leech the belly if necessary, and give strong infusion of coffee.

Take Care of Pence, Pounds will Take Care of Themselves.


1362.  Oxalic Acid


E Vomiting and acute pain in the stomach, general debility, cramps, and death.
A Chalk
T Give large draughts of lime water or magnesia.

1363.  Spanish Flies


E Acrid taste, burning heat in the throat, stomach, and belly, bloody vomitings, colic, purging, retention of urine, convulsions, death.
T Large draughts of olive oil; thin gruel, milk, starch enemas, linseed tea, laudanum, and camphorated water.

1364.  Poisonous Fish


(
Old-wife; sea-lobster; mussel; tunny; blower; rock-fish, &c.
)


E Intense pain in the stomach after swallowing the fish, vomiting, purging, and sometimes cramps.
T Give an emetic; excite vomiting by tickling the throat, and plenty of warm water. Follow emetics by active purgatives, particularly of castor oil and laudanum, or opium and calomel, and abate inflammation by the usual remedies.

1365.  Bites of Reptiles


(
Viper; black viper; Indian serpents; rattle-snake.
)


E Violent and quick inflammation of the part, extending towards the body, soon becoming livid; nausea, vomiting, convulsions, difficult breathing, mortification, cold sweats, and death.
T Suppose that the wrist has been bitten: immediately tie a tape between the wound and the heart, scarify the parts with a penknife, razor, or lancet, and apply a cupping-glass over the bite, frequently removing it and bathing the wound with volatile alkali, or heat a poker and burn the wound well, or drop some of Sir Wm. Burnett's Disinfecting Fluid into the wound, or cauterize the bite freely with lunar caustic, but not till the part has been well sucked with the mouth, or frequently washed and cupped. The strength is to be supported by brandy, ammonia, ether, and opium. Give plenty of warm drinks, and cover up in bed.

1366.  Mad Animals, Bite of


E Hydrophobia, or a fear of fluids.
T Tie a string tightly over the part, cut out the bite, and cauterize the wound with a red-hot poker, lunar caustic, or Sir Wm. Burnett's Disinfecting Fluid. Then apply a piece of "spongio-piline," give a purgative, and plenty of warm drink. Whenever chloroform can be procured, sprinkle a few drops upon a handkerchief, and apply to the nose and mouth of the patient before cauterizing the wound. When the breathing appears difficult, cease the application of the chloroform. A physician, writing in the Times, strongly urged this course, and stated, many years ago, that there is no danger, with ordinary care, in the application of the chloroform, while the cauterization may be more effectively performed.

1367.  Insect Stings


(
Wasp, bee, gnat, hornet, gadfly, scorpion.
)


E Swelling, nausea, and fever.
T Press the barrel of a watch-key over the part, so as to expose the sting, which must be removed. Give fifteen drops of hartshorn or sal-volatile in half a wine-glassful of camomile tea, and cover the part stung with a piece of lint soaked in extract of lead.

1368.  Cautions for the Prevention of Accidents


The following regulations should be engraved on the memory of all:

  1. As many sudden deaths come by water, particular caution is therefore necessary in its vicinity.
  1. Do not stand near a tree, or any leaden spout, iron gate, or palisade, in times of lightning.
  1. Lay loaded guns in safe places, and never imitate firing a gun in jest.
  1. Never sleep near charcoal; if drowsy at any work where charcoal fires are used, take the fresh air.
  1. Carefully rope trees before they are cut down, that when they fall they may do no injury.
  1. When benumbed with cold beware of sleeping out of doors; rub yourself, if you have it in your power, with snow, and do not hastily approach the fire.
  1. Beware of damp.
  1. Air vaults, by letting them remain open some time before you enter, or scattering powdered lime in them. Where a lighted candle will not burn, animal life cannot exist; it will be an excellent caution, therefore, before entering damp and confined places, to try this simple experiment.
  1. Never leave saddle or draught horses, while in use, by themselves; nor go immediately behind a led horse, as he is apt to kick. When crossing a roadway always go behind a cart or carriage, never in front of it.
  1. Do not ride on footways.
  1. Look closely after children, whether they are up or in bed; and particularly when they are near the fire, an element with which they are very apt to amuse themselves.
  1. Leave nothing poisonous open or accessible; and never omit to write the word "POISON" in large letters upon it, wherever it may be placed.
  1. In walking the streets keep out of the line of the cellars, and never look one way and walk another.
  1. Never throw pieces of orange peel, or broken glass bottles, into the streets.
  1. Never meddle with gunpowder by candle-light.
  1. In trimming a lamp with naphtha, never fill it. Leave space for the spirit to expand with warmth.
  1. Never quit a room leaving the poker in the fire.
  1. When the brass rod of the stair-carpet becomes loose, fasten it immediately.
  1. In opening effervescing drinks, such as soda water, hold the cork in your hand.
  1. Quit your house with care on a frosty morning.
  1. Have your horses' shoes roughed directly there are indications of frost.
  1. Keep lucifer matches in their cases, and never let them be strewed about.
  1. Kick into the gutter any piece of orange peel that you may see on the pavement or the roadway. By so doing you may save many from meeting with dangerous accidents.
  1. Never allow your servants to leave brooms, brushes, slop-pails, water cans, &c. in outside doorways, or at the head of a flight of stairs when engaged in house-work.

If You are in Debt, Somebody Owns Part of You.


1369.  Accidents in Carriages


It is safer, as a general rule, to keep your place than to jump out. Getting out of a gig over the back, provided you can hold on a little while, and run, is safer than springing from the side. But it is best to keep your place, and hold fast. In accidents people act not so much from reason as from excitement: but good rules, firmly impressed upon the mind, generally rise uppermost, even in the midst of fear.

1370.  Life Belts


An excellent and cheap life belt, for persons proceeding to sea, bathing in dangerous places, or learning to swim, may be thus made:—Take a yard and three quarters of strong jean, double, and divide it into nine compartments. Let there be a space of two inches after each third compartment. Fill the compartments with very fine cuttings of cork, which may be made by cutting up old corks, or (still better) purchased at the corkcutter's. Work eyelet holes at the bottom of each compartment, to let the water drain out. Attach a neck-band and waist-strings of stout boot-web, and sew them on strongly.

1371.  Another


Cut open an old boa, or victorine, and line it with fine cork-cuttings instead of wool. For ladies going to sea these are excellent, as they may be worn in stormy weather, without giving appearance of alarm in danger. They may be fastened to the body by ribands or tapes, of the colour of the fur. Gentlemen's waistcoats may be lined the same way.

1372.  Charcoal Fumes


The usual remedies for persons overcome with the fumes of charcoal in a close apartment are, to throw cold water on the head, and to bleed immediately; also apply mustard or hartshorn to the soles of the feet.

Economy is the Easy Chair of Old Age.


1373.  Cautions in Visiting the Sick


Do not visit the sick when you are fatigued, or when in a state of perspiration, or with the stomach empty—for in such conditions you are liable to take the infection. When the disease is very contagious, place yourself at the side of the patient which is nearest to the window. Do not enter the room the first thing in the morning, before it has been aired; and when you come away, take some food, change your clothing immediately, and expose the latter to the air for some days. Tobacco smoke is a preventive of malaria.

1374.  Children and Cutlery


Serious accidents having occurred to babies through their catching hold of the blades of sharp instruments, the following hint will be useful. If a child lay hold of a knife or razor, do not try to pull it away, or to force open the hand; but, holding the child's hand that is empty, offer to its other hand anything nice or pretty, and it will immediately open the hand, and let the dangerous instrument fall.

1375.  Directing Letters


It may sound like being over particular, but we recommend persons to make a practice of fully addressing notes, &c., on all occasions; when, in case of their being dropped by careless messengers (which is not a rare occurrence), it is evident for whom they are intended, without undergoing the inspection of any other person bearing a similar name.

1376.  Prevention of Fires


The following simple suggestions are worthy of observation:


Add one ounce of alum to the last water used to rinse children's dresses, and they will be rendered uninflammable, or so slightly combustible that in event of coming into contact with fire, they would only smoulder away very slowly, and not burst into flame. This is a simple precaution, which may be adopted in families of children. Bed curtains, and linen in general, may also be treated in the same way. Tungstate of soda has been recommended for the purpose of rendering any article of female dress incombustible. Any chemist will intimate to the purchaser the manner in which the tungstate of soda should be employed.

1377.  Precautions in Case of Fire


The following precautions should be impressed upon the memory of all our readers:

1378.  Fire!


Should a Fire break out, send off to the nearest engine or police station.

1379.  Water


Fill Buckets with Water, carry them as near the fire as possible, dip a mop into the water, and throw it in showers on the fire, until assistance arrives.

1380.  A Wet Blanket


If a Fire is violent, wet a blanket, and throw it on the part which is in flames.

1381.  Chimney Fire (1)


Should a Fire break out in the Kitchen Chimney, or any other, a blanket wetted should be nailed to the upper ends of the mantelpiece, so as to cover the opening entirely; the fire will then go out of itself: for this purpose two knobs should be permanently fixed in the upper ends of the mantelpiece, on which the blanket may be hitched.

1382.  Curtains on Fire


Should the Bed or Window Curtains be on fire, lay hold of any woollen garment, and beat it on the flames until extinguished.

1383.  No Draughts


Avoid leaving the Window Or Door open in the room where the fire has broken out, as the current of air increases the force of the fire.

1384.  Burning Staircase: Escape


Should the Staircase be burning, so as to cut off all communication, endeavour to escape by means of a trap-door in the roof, a ladder leading to which should always be at hand.

1385.  Avoid Hurry and Confusion


Avoid hurry and confusion; no person except a fireman, friend, or neighbour, should be admitted.

1386.  Dress on Fire


If a Lady's Dress takes Fire, she should endeavour to roll herself in a rug, carpet, or the first woollen garment she meets with.

1387.  Handy Baize


It is a Good Precaution to have always at hand a large piece of baize, to throw over a female whose dress is burning, or to be wetted and thrown over a fire that has recently broken out.

Little Sticks Kindle the Fire, but Great Ones Put it Out.


1388.  Use Pearlash


A Solution of Pearlash in Water, thrown upon a fire, extinguishes it instantly. The proportion is a quarter of a pound, dissolved in some hot water, and then poured into a bucket of common water.

1389.  Buckets and Mops


It is recommended to Householders to have two or three fire-buckets and a carriage-mop with a long handle near at hand; they will be found essentially useful in case of fire.

1390.  Check before Retiring


All householders, but particularly hotel, tavern, and inn-keepers, should exercise a wise precaution by directing that the last person up should look over the premises previous to going to rest, to ascertain that all fires are safe and lights extinguished.

1391.  To Extinguish a Fire in a Chimney (2)


So many serious fires have been caused by chimneys catching fire, and not being quickly extinguished, that the following method of doing this should be made generally known. Throw some powdered brimstone on the fire in the grate, or ignite some on the hob, and then put a board or something in the front of the fireplace, to prevent the fumes descending into the room. The vapour of the brimstone, ascending the chimney, will then effectually extinguish the fire.

1392.  To Extinguish a Fire in a Chimney (3).


To Extinguish a Fire in the chimney, besides any water at hand, throw on it salt, or a handful of flour of sulphur, as soon as you can obtain it; keep all the doors and windows tightly shut, and hold before the fireplace a blanket, or some woollen article, to exclude the air.

1393.  Escaping from a Fire


In escaping from a fire, creep or crawl along the room with your face close to the ground. Children should be early taught how to press out a spark when it happens to reach any part of their dress, and also that running into the air will cause it to blaze immediately.

1394.  Don't Read in Bed


Reading in bed at night should be avoided, as, besides the danger of an accident, it never fails to injure the eyes.

1395.  Warming a Bed


To heat a bed at a moment's notice, throw a little salt on the hot coals in the warming-pan, and suffer it to burn for a minute previous to use.

1396.  No Plant Life


Flowers and shrubs should be excluded from a bed-chamber.

1397.  Swimming


Every person should endeavour to acquire the power of swimming. The fact that the exercise is a healthful accompaniment of bathing, and that lives may be saved by it, even when least expected, is a sufficient argument for the recommendation. The art of swimming is, in reality, very easy. The first consideration is not to attempt to learn to swim too hastily. That is to say, you must not expect to succeed in your efforts to swim, until you have become accustomed to the water, and have overcome your repugnance to the coldness and novelty of bathing. Every attempt will fail until you have acquired a certain confidence in the water, and then the difficulty will soon vanish.