Page 413 - My FlipBook

409
SYNCOPE. —
pie operation, owing to some temporary condition of
the system, and never happen again under any cir-
cumstances whatever.
It sometimes comes on before, sometimes after, and
sometimes during, the operation. There is greater
liability to it after a recent meal than after digestion

is completed, since the nervous energy, during diges-
tion, is directed to the stomach and its appendages, and
thus the circulating apparatus has less of nervous force.
The frequent occurrence of syncope indicates a
constitutional predisposition to it, and may enable
the operator to anticipate it to some extent, by the
aid of stimulants, such as brandy, or, what is in
some respects preferable, a galvanic current. The

patient subject to such affection, should be placed,
for an operation, as nearly as practicable in a recum-
bent position—especially for the extraction of teeth
and his mind kept as tranquil as possible.
To restore the patient from syncope, place him in
a horizontal position, the head quite as low as the
body, and apply volatile stimulants to the nostrils.
and dash water on the face and chest. All compres-
sion should be removed from the body, especially
from the chest, as it would constrain the action of

the respiratory muscles. This remark is peculiarly
applicable to female patients. This treatment will
usually be quite sufficient to effect a rapid reaction
and resuscitation.