352 THE PRESERVATION OF HEALTH 



tears caused by the irritation of the troublesome sub- 

 stance washes it away, or it may be wiped off by a fold of 

 soft linen. But it is sometimes lodged far under one of 

 the lids usually the upper one where it is not so eas- 

 ily reached. In that case let a friend take the lashes of 

 the lid in the fingers of one hand and turn the lid gently 

 up over a knitting needle or slender pencil held in the 

 other hand across the middle of the lid. Then if the ball 

 is rolled downward, and from side to side, the source of 

 irritation can be seen and removed. Care must be taken 

 not to increase the inflammation by rubbing the eye. 

 Applications of hot water will give relief in cases of slight 

 inflammation. 



508. Foreign Bodies in the Ear are sometimes difficult to 

 remove. Syringe the passage gently with warm water ; 

 to drive out insects, drop warm salted water into the ear. 

 If such efforts do not avail, no violence must be used, but 

 a surgeon must be called in. 



509. Foreign Bodies in the Nose. Small buttons, cherry 

 stones, peas, beans, etc., are often crowded by children 

 so far up the nostrils that they cannot be reached. The 

 child can sometimes remove such an object by " blowing " 

 the nose hard, or it may be removed by slapping the 

 child's back. Occasionally a surgeon is needed. 



510. Sudden Illnesses. Fainting is directly caused by 

 a lack of blood in the brain. It should be treated by 

 placing the patient on his back with head and chest 

 slightly lower than the rest of the body. Plenty of fresh 

 air should be given ; cold water may be dashed over head 

 and neck. Clothing should be- loosened, and in severe 

 cases artificial respiration may be needed. Strong ammo- 

 nia or smelling salts applied to the nostrils is sometime 

 useful. 



