328 FIRST AID TO THE INJURED 



Sterilizing. Many disease germs may be killed by 

 heat; others by chemicals called disinfectants, such as 

 bichloride of mercury, carbolic acid, etc. The solutions 

 used in washing wounds should be made up of about 

 the following strengths: Bichloride of mercury, 15 gr. 

 to 1 qt. of water; or, liquid carbolic acid, 2 teaspoonfuls 

 to 1 qt. of water. The substances should be thoroughly 

 dissolved before the solution is used. 



ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES 



FAINTING 



Fainting, or swooning, with loss of sensation, motion, 

 and consciousness, may result from a severe blow or 

 wound, from loss of blood, from great emotion (extreme 

 fear or joy), from electic shock, etc. The patient be- 

 comes pale, inanimate, and is in a condition of apparent 

 death; if not soon relieved, death may result. 



The patient should be laid with the head lower than 

 the feet, and ligatures or bands of some sort should be 



FIG. 1 



tied around the arms and legs close to the body, so as 

 to confine the circulation to the trunk and head. The 

 tongue should be kept out of the throat, in order to 

 allow free access of air, and the respiration may be 



