FIRST HELP IN ACCIDENTS 347 



a joint, it is not well to hasten the healing process, on account 

 of the contraction that always takes place as the scar is formed. 

 " Fire is a source of danger, and is very destructive to life 

 at times. Spontaneous combustion of the human body when 

 saturated with alcohol is a myth, though perhaps the alcohol- 

 ized body does burn more readily than one free from inflam- 

 mable fluid. When a lady is on fire, she should not and 

 ought not to be permitted to run ; that fans the flames 

 amazingly. She must be laid down and rolled up in the 

 nearest woollen article, rug, coat, or blanket. Such wrap- 

 ping up in a non-inflammable article is a most effective method 

 of extinguishing the flames. Immersion in water is, unfortu- 

 nately, rarely practicable." Fothergitt. 



8. Illuminating Gas is dangerous in two ways. If it escapes 

 into a tightly closed room in sufficient quantities, it causes the 

 death of the inmates by suffocation, unless some one from 

 without discovers the perilous situation. If not too late, 

 remove the patient into fresh air, undo the clothing, dash cold 

 water on the face and neck, and employ artificial respiration, 

 as in drowning (see p. 336). Again : If it escapes freely into 

 an apartment, it forms an explosive compound by mixing with 

 the air. If then a light is unguardedly taken into the place, 

 an explosion that may be destructive fa life will result. 

 Always thoroughly air any room that has the odor of escaping 

 gas before a light is taken in. 



9. Kerosene is the cause of even more " accidents " than gas. 

 Too much care cannot be taken in its use. Buy only that 

 which has been tested, but remember that not all that are 

 marked as "safe" are truly so. If a responsible oil-man certi- 

 fies that the oil will not " flash " under 140 degrees, it may be 

 regarded as safe if properly used. Lamps should be filled only 

 in the daytime. Never attempt to fill a lamp that is lighted, 

 and never put kerosene in the stove for the purpose of kindling 

 a fire. Very small lamps are dangerous, as also is a lamp that 

 has burned a long time, and has but very little oil in it. 



8. Illuminating gas, in what two ways dangerous ? 



9. Kerosene, what kind to use ? Cautions to be observed in using ? 



