296 Physiology. 



Wounds from Thorns and Rusty Nails. Promote bleeding by rub- 

 bing and pressing the wound and bathing with warm water. Or suck 

 the wound. This tends to remove any injurious matter. Apply 

 poultices. 



Bites of Cats, Dogs, etc. If the animal is rabid (mad), suck the 

 wound and cauterize quickly. A poker or nail heated red hot is best 

 for cauterizing. If one cannot do this promptly, get lunar caustic with 

 which to cauterize ; strong acid or alkali, or a coal of fire, may be ap- 

 plied at once to the wound ; the coal on a cigar may be used. Do not 

 kill the animal if there is doubt. Keep it confined, and if it proves a 

 false alarm much anxiety will be saved. 



Snake Bites. Apply ligatures around the part between it and the 

 heart. Suck the wound (there is no danger in this if there are no sores 

 or cracks in the skin of the mouth ; venom is not a stomach poison). 

 Then apply caustics, or a live coal. Wash the wound with vinegar or 

 strong salt solution. If ammonia water is at hand, add five teaspoon- 

 fuls to a pint of water and drink this. Ammonium carbonate, ten per 

 cent solution, is also highly recommended. A teaspoonful dose should 

 be given immediately, and repeated twice at intervals of ten minutes. 

 To bee stings, apply soda or dilute ammonia. 



Poison Ivy. The itching and discomfort may be relieved by bath- 

 ing the part in a mixture of two teaspoons of carbolic acid (pure), two 

 tablespoons of glycerin, one half pint of water or rose-water. 



The Sick-room. Every boy and girl ought to learn something about 

 the care of the sick, as any one is likely to be called on to do this 

 kind of work. Good nursing is often " half the battle." The patient 

 should have a cheerful room, but the bed should be so placed that he 

 will not face the light. Evidence of illness, such as medicine bottles, 

 etc., should be kept out of sight so far as possible. While it is not 

 best to deceive the patient as to his condition, there should at all times 

 be kept up an air of cheerfulness and hope. If the physician can 

 inspire with confidence, and the nurse give unflagging good cheer, the 

 chances of recovery are greatly improved. Nothing sustains like hope. 

 Keep the air of the room pure. Remove excreta and everything offen- 

 sive just as soon as possible. Do not rely on feeling as to temperature, 

 but keep a thermometer in the room. 



Sympathy with the Patient. One of the necessary characteristics 

 of a good nurse is the power of imagination. " How would I feel, and 



