Chapter 73
Section 73 of A Thousand Things Worth Knowing. This is a LibriBox recording. All LibriBox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriBox.org. Pulse The average rate of the pulse in adults is
76 beats every minute, but it varies according to age. At birth it is from 130 to 140. First year 115 to 130. Second year 100 to 115. Third year 95 to 105.
Between 7 and 14, 80 to 90. Between 14 and 21, 75 to 80. Between 21 and 60, 70 to 75. Between old age, from 75 to 80. The female pulse is from 10 to 15 beats quicker than that of the male of the same age.
To count the pulse, place the finger over the artery at the wrist. Count the beats for 15 seconds, multiply this by 4, and the result is the number of beats a minute. Do not use the thumb, as there is a sort of pulse in it which interferes with counting. Rheumatism So far as is known, there is no certain cure
for rheumatism, notwithstanding the many nostrums that are advertised as sure cures. Rheumatism may be helped by avoiding meat and other nitrogenous foods, confining the diet to vegetables and similar foods, and drinking water freely. Rheumatism however is too serious to be treated by other than a physician. Scals and burns Place the patient in a comfortable and safe
place to remove the clothing rapidly with a knife or scissors. If it sticks, cut away as much as is necessary, but don't pull it off. Clothing may sometimes be removed by sprinkling with water or oil. Do not expose the surface of the burn or scald to the air. Cover as quickly as possible with flour or Vaseline and wrap a cloth about it wet with
a solution of water and common baking soda. If the clothing is afire, force the person to lie down immediately. Wrap him in a blanket or other piece of cloth, preferably of woolen. Do not allow him to run around or expose himself to a draught. Fire may be extinguished by slapping the burning pads with a cloth or throwing water upon the
person, but the wrapping process is better, because it immediately smothers the fire and water is not always available. Slight scalds or burns may be relieved by the application of a solution made of a pint of water with one teaspoonful of baking soda or saleratous. Apply with a piece of lint and then cover the burn or scald with absorbent cotton, held
in place by a bandage. If the burn or scald is severe, apply sweet oil, olive oil, Vaseline or the white of an egg. If these are not handy, cover the spot with starch or use damp earth. Burns caused by lye and other alkaline chemicals should be covered with water, then with vinegar,
then treated as those by fire. Burns caused by acids and vitriol should be soaked with water and thoroughly washed with soda, saleratous or lime water. Chalk or tooth powder may be used with saleratous is not available. Carbolic acid burns may be treated with strong alcohol.
Burns of the mouth or throat coming from the drinking of hot fluids may be treated by taking oil or the white of an egg into the mouth and allowing it to run into the throat if the throat is affected. Vinegar should be used for burns in the mouth coming from caustic potassium ammonia. If the burn is serious, summon the doctor.
Burns caused by gum powder should be treated the same as our ordinary burns. End of section 73
