f punctured wounds,--to the chapter on which the reader is referred
for further information.

Where there is reason to suspect that the animal has hydrophobia, it
should be, if possible, at once confined, and watched for developments.
Under no circumstances should it be killed. If the animal is rabid, it
will be unable to eat or drink, and will die in the course of a few days;
should it survive not the least fear need be felt as to it having had
hydrophobia, as no instance is on record where the disease was followed
by recovery. For further information on this subject, the reader is
referred to the special article on hydrophobia (page 211).

_Hiccough._--Hiccough is a condition caused by a spasm of the diaphragm.
All methods for the relief of this somewhat annoying condition are based
upon the idea of having the patient hold his breath as long as is
possible. The remedy is best applied by the sufferer holding his breath
and leaning as far backward as is possible, and in the meanwhile
distracting the attention by pointing the index finger of one hand
towards the nose, and bringing the former toward the latter as slowly as
is possible. Sticking the tongue out and holding the breath at the same
time will often relieve hiccough, or if the victim can be induced to
sneeze the distressing symptom will at once cease. The _slow_ swallowing
of a few sips of water will frequently put an end to the trouble.

CHAPTER XV

WHAT TO DO WHEN POISONED

The vast majority of cases of poisoning occur in children, and are,
almost without exception, due to carelessness of their elders, and
therefore preventable.

As soon as it is recognized that anyone has swallowed a poison of any
kind, a competent physician should be summoned with the utmost haste, and
in the meantime much may be done, in most cases, to minimize the effects
of the substance taken. The patient should at once be urged to drink as
much water as is possible, in order that the poison may be diluted, and
every effort should be made to induce vomiting; this may often be brought
about as soon as the stomach is full of water, by tickling the throat
with the finger, or with any other object that can be readily introduced
through the mouth. As quickly as possible, some warm water should be
secured, to a quart of which either a teaspoon of salt or mustard should
be added, and the patient urged to drink until the stomach is thoroughly
distended; following this, particularly