hould be repeated if
convulsions begin again. The doctor, when he comes, will probably order
a dose of castor oil; and therefore, if it is impossible to obtain a
doctor at once, the dose should be given.

SHOCK (in the medical sense of the word) or _collapse_, is a serious
condition in which a patient's vitality and all his bodily processes are
profoundly depressed. Generally shock occurs only after a severe injury
or a long exhausting illness. Since, however, some persons are
peculiarly susceptible to it, the possibility of shock must be kept in
mind in treating even slight injuries. The probability of shock is
somewhat increased if patients are allowed to see their own wounds.
Injured persons should always sit or lie down while wounds, however
slight, are dressed.

Symptoms of shock are pallor, pinched, anxious expression, dilated
pupils, cold clammy skin, feeble breathing, and rapid, weak pulse. The
patient may be mentally normal, or irrational, or unconscious, but more
frequently he appears stupid, and though conscious, he pays no attention
to what is going on. Unfortunately this condition is sometimes mistaken
for sleepiness, and he is left alone to sleep just when active measures
are most needed.

If a patient shows any symptom of shock the doctor should be summoned
immediately, but no time should be lost in beginning treatment, since
the condition may be critical. It should be remembered, however, that
panic and confusion may alarm a patient who is conscious, and thus
increase the shock. The patient should be covered warmly, and undressed
under blankets, without exposure or avoidable moving. His head should be
low, and as quickly as possible hot water bags should be placed near but
not upon him. If the patient is conscious and able to swallow he should
be given hot coffee or aromatic spirits of ammonia, one teaspoonful in
half a glass of water. The legs and arms should be rubbed from the
extremities toward the heart, but care should be taken to avoid touching
or moving injured parts. The patient should stay in bed, warmly covered
and closely watched for some time after he has apparently recovered.

Helping a patient into bed is not necessarily the first thing to be done
in every case of sudden illness. Great harm may be done by the
injudicious moving of injured persons, and often it is safer to make a
person comfortable with pillows and blankets where he happens to be,
certainly until a sufficient number of p