a hag 
ae _. BOTANIC PHYSICIAN. _—_ 
ss _SWOONING OR FAINTING. <A 
~ Persons of weak nerves, or delicate constitutions, are liable to 
phil bid 
Fae Spowaings, or fainting fits. These, indeed, are seldom dangerous 
_ when duly attended to; but when wholly neglected, or improperly 
treated, they often prove hurtful, and sometimes fatal. 
__ The general causes of swoonings are, sudden transitions from cold 
fo heat ; breathing air that is dreprived of its oxygen, or proper spring 
or elasticity ; great fatigue ; excessive weakness ; loss of blood; long 
fasting ; fear, grief, and other violent passions or affections of the 
mind ; sudden fright, &c. 
___It is well known, that persons who have been long exposed to cold, 
_ Often faint, or fall into a swoon, upon coming into a warm house, espe- | 
cially if they drink hot liquor, or sit before a large fire. This might 
y be prevented by people taking care notto go into a warm room 
tely after they have been exposed to the cold air, to ap-_ 
_ proach the fire gradually, and not to eat or drink any thing hot, till 
_ the body has been gradually brought into a warm temperature. 
“When any one, in consequence of neglecting these precautions falls 
into a swoon, he ought immediately to be removed to a colder apart- 
ment, to have ligatures applied above his knees and elbows, and to 
have his hands and face sprinkled with vinegar or cold water. He 
should likewise be made to smell vinegar, and should have a spoon- _ 
ful or two of water, if he can swallow, with about a third part of vine- 
gar mixed with it, poured into his mouth. If these should not re- 
or fainting fit. They are in this case deprived of the very principle 
ife. Hence it is, that fainting fits are so frequent in all crowded 
ies, particularly in hot seasons. Such fits, however, must be 
considered as a kind of temporary death ; and to the weak and deli- 
_ €ate, they sometimes prove fatal. They ought therefore with the 
_ utmost care to be guarded against. Let churches and other places 
of public resort, be large and well ventilated. eae 
ge Apes ho faints in such a situation, ought immediately to be 
y the open air ; his temples should be rubbed with strong 
randy, and volatile spirits, or salts, held to his nose— __ 
d be laid upon his back, with his head low, and have a — 
ine, or some other cordial, as soon as he is able to swallow it, - 
_ poured into his mouth. If the person has been subjeet to hysteri¢ — 
___ fits, castor or assafeetida should be applied to the nose, or burnt fea 
8, horn, or leather, ic. ) ch 
When fainting proce dsfrom mere weakness or exhaustion, which _ 
often the case alter great fatigue, long fasting, loss of blood, or tl 
Pi with generous cordials, as jellies, 
e. These, however, must be give® 
