322 PHYSIOLOGY. 



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 un- 

 conscious, great care must be taken that two lives are not 

 lost. A rope should be firmly tied about the body, a hook, 

 attached to another rope, taken to catch into the clothing 

 of the first, and the rescuer should be lowered quickly and 

 brought up immediately. A small rope or large cord 

 might be carried, by pulling which the signal is given to 

 pull up. 



In resuscitating from carbon dioxid suffocation use the 

 same method as after drowning, except the first part, which 

 is to remove water from the windpipe, etc. 



Poisons and their Antidotes. Several of the common 

 drugs and remedies kept about the house are more or less 

 poisonous. The proper antidote for each should be known 

 and kept at hand. In the first place, all such materials 

 should be kept locked up so they will not be taken by 

 children, or by mistake, as in the haste of getting medicine 

 in the night. Again, all grown persons in the family 

 should be instructed as to the effects of each poison, and 

 taught its antidote. As soon as any new poisonous drug 

 is bought, it should be made a point to read up about it, 

 and procure an antidote. Every one should know that 

 strychnin causes spasms, that opium brings on stupor, 

 with contracted pupils, etc. 



Objects of Treatment. Treatment aims at three things, 

 (i) to get rid of the poison, (2) to neutralize what remains 

 and prevent further action, (3) to remedy the effects already 

 produced. 



