On Diseases and Accidents of Farmers. 221 



medical man can attend. Whiskey or spirit mixed with 

 hot water, if at hand, must be freely given : the first 

 dranght may consist of equal parts. The body should be 

 well rubbed w ith coarse towels, dipped in hot whiskey 

 and water : the temples chafed with pure whiskey, while 

 a large kettl;^ of h'.^t water is heating. If possible the suf- 

 ferer should be put into a hot bath ; but if a bathing tub 

 be not at hand, the body is to be stripped, and blankets 

 dipped in hot water must be laid over it, renewing them 

 as ihey cool. Hot toddy is also at the same time to be 

 freely given, if the power of swallowing remain. 



Serious wounds have sometimes happened, from care- 

 less persons leaning: a pitchfork against the side of a stack of 

 hay or grain, with the forks up and men sliding down upon 

 them. The master of a farm may often prevent such and 

 other accidents, by directing his attention to the thought- 

 less conduct of labourers. 



Concussions of the Brain, and Strokes on the Head. — 

 Require the loss of more or less biood, in proportion to 

 the deo;ree of injury received, and the age, habits, and con- 

 stitution of the person injured. The sooner it is taken 

 away, after the accident has happened, the better. The 

 person should be bled if possible, while sitting or stand- 

 ing up, so as to induce a faintness, and thus save the loss 

 of an unnecessary quantity of blood. A purge of Glauber^s 

 or epsom salts, or castor oil should also be given, and en- 

 tire abstinence enjoined for one or two days, and then the 

 least possible quantity of liquid vegetable food, for two 

 weeks is to be taken. Rest and silence are essential. 

 As serious complaints have occurred, after an interval of 

 between ten and sixty days, from a blow on the head, 

 great attention should be paid, not to excite the system 

 to the production of the morbid state, to which it is pre- 

 disposed from the accident. The same remarks will ap- 

 ply to falls. 



M m 



