157 



to be pursued, if he would act with justice to himseh" or family. 

 A false bandage, instead of being the means of sure and easy com- 

 pression, is useless and embarrassing, and fitter to increase the evil 

 than diminish it. 



During the first ferment of the v.'ine enclosed in the vat, or even 

 when it is in the cask in small cellars, that have no draught, and are 

 very low, vapours are disengaged, which are inebriating, and occasion 

 vertigo, vomiting, numbness of the limbs, and overpowering stupor. 

 These symptoms are not dangerous ; rest and the open air, and drinks 

 of hot coffee or acidulated water are sufficient to restore the individual 

 to health ; but too long an exposure to the carbonic acid gas renders 

 the numbness dangerous, and asphyxia and sudden death are near at 

 hand. It is better that these accidents should be prevented by fore- 

 sight, than to trust to curative means to rescue the victims. Before 

 entering a cellar, endeavour to discover by the smell whether the 

 mephitic gas pervades it ; if, on shghtly opening the door, the peculiar 

 odour is perceived, throw it open and leave the spot immediately, to 

 give a chance to the expansive gas to escape from the confined pre- 

 cincts. If the smell does not satisfy you, open cautiously and look 

 steadily into the cellar ; if you perceive a mist in it hovering, and 

 about to rise above the vat or casks, do not enter, but use means to 

 disturb the air in the cellar, and if possible estabUsh a draught. If 

 neither of these directions give satisfactory results, if the presence 

 of the mephitic air is suspected, notwithstanding appearances to the 

 contrary, then drop alighted candle by a string into the cellar, over 

 some vat or cask. If the flame grows yellow, faint, and expires, the 

 air of the place is dangerous to life, and must be renewed. 



"When asphyxia has taken place, the assistance should be immediate 

 and persevering, but not hurried or careless. The first thing is to 

 bring the unfortunate individual into the fresh air ; after which, 

 every part of the dress that might obstruct respiration must be 

 loosened, and not a ligature or tightness of any sort be allowed 

 around the body or limbs. Cold water and vinegar must be 

 sprinkled, or dashed, over the face and skin, and light fi-ictions be 

 appHed to the chest. If these means seem unavailing, the lungs must 

 be inflated, either by an apparatus, or "by some bystander breathing 

 into the mouth of the patient, and then pressing the hand lightly 

 on the chest and abdomen, to re-estabUsh the mechanical operation 

 of respiration in the lungs ; purgative enemas should next be tried, 

 blisters be put on, or even leeches applied in various parts of the body. 

 Such exertions as these must not be discontinued for several hours ; 

 the least negligence or impatience may accelerate death, while these 



