SUFFOCATION IN WELLS. 335 



(The above, with figures, is taken from Lincoln's Hygienic 

 Physiology.) 



Of course persons who cannot swim well ought not to go 

 out in a boat without taking along some sort of a float that 

 may serve as a life-preserver. Some of the rubber cushions 

 serve well for this. 



In case an ordinary rowboat is overturned, one should not 

 attempt to climb into it or upon it. It takes very little to float 

 a person in water, as the body is only a little heavier than 

 water ; in fact, if a person fills the lungs and lies back in. the 

 water, his face and nose will keep above water, and a person 

 (at any rate without clothing) can float in this way for some 

 time, if he breathes lightly. The trouble is that the person 

 tries to lift the whole head out of the water. The dog, and 

 such animals, when swimming, have little out of the water 

 but the tip of the nose and a little of the top of the head. If 

 we could learn something from them it would be a good 

 thing. The easiest way to float is on the back. Few persons 

 have been taught these facts; and most of those who have 

 learned them lose their presence of mind, and waste their 

 breath and strength in wild and fruitless splashing. If a 

 boat be overturned, those who can swim should help those 

 who cannot to get hold of the edge of the boat, but not permit 

 them to climb upon it. A small plank will float a person if 

 he will not try to lift much of his body out of the water. 



Every father neglects his duty if he does not teach his 

 children, girls as well as boys, to swim and to float. One 

 cool, trained person may save the lives of a whole boat load. 



Suffocation in Wells. Persons are sometimes suffo- 

 cated by carbon dioxid in wells and cisterns. Before going 

 down into a well it is a safe precaution to lower a lighted 

 candle. If this is extinguished, a warning is given. If a 

 second person goes down after one who has become uncon- 



