Accidents - Victorian Health and Medicine

ACCIDENTS. As there is no age or condition which can insure us against accidents, it is of the utmost importance that we should always be prepared against such contingencies, and that we should have some line of conduct marked out by which we are resolved to act in an emergency.

This faculty is termed presence of mind, and it is to the want of this that the lamentable loss of human life is in many cases attributable. When an accident occurs, firmness of resolution, and coolness of action, are indispensable. In the majority of instances however, it unfortunately happens that the mind, being suddenly overwhelmed by fear becomes as it were paralyzed, and is unequal to the conception of the simplest means by which both life and property might be saved.

It is, therefore, incumbent upon us all the when we are most secure, and the mind is in the full and calm possession of its reasoning powers, we should devise and mature certain plans, to be put into execution in the hour of danger for the preservation of ourselves and the succour of others. There are accidents of daily and hourly occurrence, which the exercise of the commonest prudence might prevent, and which we may be said to rush into through carelessness and indiscretion.

• Stand not near a tree, or any leaden spout, iron gate, or palisade in time of lightning.
• Never sleep near charcoal; if drowsy at any work where charcoal fires are used, take thee fresh air.
• Carefully rope trees before they are cut down, that when they fall they may do no injury.
• Air cellars, vaults, and sewers, by letting them remain open some time before you enter, or scattering powdered lime in them.
• Where a lighted candle will not burn animal life cannot exist.
• Before entering damp and confined places, therefore, it will be an excellent caution to try this simple experiment.
• Never leave horses whilst in use by themselves, nor go immediately behind a led horse, as he is apt to kick.
• Leave nothing of a poisonous nature open or accessible, and never fail to vrite the word "POISON" upon, it in large letters wherever it may be placed.
• In valking the streets keep out of the line of the cellars, and avoid scaffolding and ladders; and never look one way and walk another.
• Never meddle with gunpowder by candlelight.
• Lay loaded guns in safe places, and never imitate firing a gun in jest.
• In trimming a lamp with naphtha never fill it. Leave a space for the spirit to expand with warmth.
• Do not enter a room where there is an escape of gas, with a lighted candle.
• Never alight from an omnibus while it is in motion, nor stand on the steps to receive change, nor enter with the point of your stick or umbrella upwards.
• When driving, keep on your right side of the road, and abate speed when approaching corners or cross roads.
• Never throw orange rinds about in the streets.
• Open windows at the top: it is better both for ventilation and safety.
• Sprinkle door steps with coal ashes or sand on frosty mornings. Never sprinkle them with salt.
• Take great precautions with fires where children are, as this is an element that they are very fond of amusing themselves with.
• Do not "rake out" fires at night time; let them go out of themselves; there will be no loss of fuel, as they will support the temperature of the apartments, and be less likely to cause accidents.
• Never quit a room leaving the poker in the fire.
• Put a wire guard before each fire on going to bed.
• Turn off gas at the meter the last thing at night.
• Look both ways before you cross a street; and when you know yon have to cross, take the first opportunity of doing so, instead of waiting until you arrive at the spot where you must cross.
• Never be attracted by a mob. Be assured that where there is a crowd there are already too many for any good purpose; therefore pass on.
• Never be induced to venture upon platforms hurriedly erected by needy people, to let out places at small fees for viewing public spectacles.
• When travelling by railway, do not put your head out of the window, nor lean against the door, without due caution.
• Keep lucifer matches in their boxes, and. never let them be strewed about.

As accidents from whatever causes arc always sudden, and as life may be saved, or much pain and suffering averted, by the promptness with which remedial agents are applied, every household should have a few of the most necessary articles always at hand in case of emergency. Wherever there are children, such appliances as will at once assuage the anguish of a burn, or stop the effusion of blood, become absolutely imperative, as before a medical man can be obtained much time is lost; and in the anxiety and confusion consequent on an accident, and in the hope of giving the sufferer some relief, the most injudicious means are often, erroneously, employed.

ARTICLES TO BE KEPT IN THE HOUSE FOR ALL CASES OF ACCIDENT.

• A piece of adhesive plaster.
• A few sheets of wadding.
• A little fine wool.
• A 4-ounce green bottle of liquor plumbi, or pure extract of lead, properly labelled Poison.
• And a few bandages, two or three yards long, and 2 inches wide.

These should be kept together in a box or drawer, so as to be ready at any moment.

The use and application of these articles will be explained under the different headings by which various accidents are distinguished. - See also BURNS, COPPER, DROWNING, FIRES, LEAD, POISONS, &c.

ACCIDENTS, RESPONSIBILITY FOR. When one person meets with an accident through the carelessness and negligence of another, the amount of the damage sustained thereby is recoverable by action at law. If, for instance, a person falls into a cellar which opens into a public thoroughfare, and it is proved that such cellar was not properly guarded at the time, all expenses and losses attendant upon such accident - namely, medical attendance, loss of wages, salary, or any other form of income, both present and prospective, may be sued for against the owner or occupier of the cellar in question. The same responsibility also exists where the servants of an employer cause an accident, the employer being considered by the law as answerable for the acts of the employed. - See MASTER AND SERVANT,

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