Science.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 360, 2 April 1903, Page 7

Science.

THE ACCIDENT OF CHOKING. BONTINTJING- oar occasional papers on ambulance, or first-aid treatment of accidents, we may to-day consider the question of choking. This is naturally a highly important subject, for the reason that-it is liable to occur anywhere, and as it may readily prove a fatal accident, it is well we should know what to do when we are summoned to render assistance to the person who has been unfortunate enough to experience it. There are several aspects of what may be called choking to which it is necessary to direct attention. This word is Bomewhat loosely used by the public. For instance, it may mean that a a person has got some food or other object lodged in his gulkt, which, of course, is the roadway to the stomach. This may be vfiry uncomfortable or even dangerous, but it does not so far interfere with life in that it blocks the way to the lungs, which, of course, is the roadway to the stomachpipe, that lies in the throat in front of the gullet, as we may Know V*y feeling in the front of the throat the gristly rings which exist for the purpose of keeping the

windpipe open during the movements of the neck. On the other hand. choW, truly so-called, implies that some subi stance has passed into the windpipe, and by threatening to block that tube, and thus cut short the supply of air to the lungs, may threaten us with death. Tamos ih thb Throat. By things in the throat I first of all imply matters which may stick in the gullet. A common example of this accident would be for instanoe a fish bone in the throat. This accident is not uncommon, and may sometimes be extremely painful. Every time the person swallows, the bone is apt to make its presence known by a sharp prick. This i?, no doubt, painful enough, put if the bone be large a metre serious accident might occur if the fish bone in the course of the movements of the throat should pass into some adjacent parts. A common household mode of remedying this accident is to make the patient swallow fairly large portions of the crust of bread, sending them forcibly down to the stomach by large gulps of water. Should these means fail it is *& good plan to cause vomiting, but this should only be done when there is anything to bring up from the stomach, so that the upward rush of matter might possibly dislodge the bone. The sensible plan would therefore be, if the swallowing of the crusts doss not dislodge the bone, to make the patient vomit, and see what the upward rush of matter from the stomach will accomplish. It is always well in the first instance, however, to place the patient in frost of a bright light and to take a thoroughly good look at the mouth. The tongue may be depressed with the handle of a spoon, so that the upper part of the throat may be well brought into view. Very frequently people may complain of fish bones lodging in the throat as if they were situated far down, but an inspection may show where they lie, and they can easily be removed by a little geutle manipulation. It has b* en recommended that where a fish bona exists far down in the gullet vinegar should be given, this being for the purpose of dissolving the bone. Failing these means, a surgeon should, of course, be consulted.

Swallowing Fobkgn Bodies.

An accident which is related to the foregoing is that where some object has been swallowed and has passed into the stomach. In the ease of children who are fond of putting various things, such as coins, into their mouths, this is by no means an uncommon accident, and. therefore it may be weirto eaution mothers as to the procedure that should be adopted in such cases. The common plan is that of administering some aperient, such as a dose of castor oil, in the hope of getting rid of the fereign body by the digestive system. This ia entirely wrong, because any stimulation of the movements of the bowels may cause it to lodge and to do harm instead of being expelled. No aperient medicine must be given at all, and it will be well that the diet should be of a solid character, such as plenty of bread and butter, porridge and milk, potato?b and suot dumplings Tais is done with the object of ceating the coin or other foreign body, and of rendering its expulsion the more easy. Perhaps, after three or four days, if the object has not been found a dose of castor oil may then be given.