face is uncommonly swoln, and of a deep red hue; so that every feature is distorted: the eyes are inflated, and project from their sockets; a bloody froth appears at the month; all the vessels of the neck and face are distended; and swallowing is totally impeded.
Treatment:—1. The cord must be instantly cut; the suspended body being gently taken down, every ligature ought to be removed; the head should be supported in an erect posture, and turned towards the left side. 2. Air must be blown upon the face, which should also be sprinkled with cold water. The gullet ought to be stimulated by a feather moistened with oil; and vinegar be applied to the nostrils, while the regions of the heart and throat are gently compressed. Farther, the patient ought to be wrapped in warm flannel, or placed between feather-beds; and a bladder, filled with tepid water, applied to the pit of the stomach: the whole body may also be fomented, or immersed in the luke-warm bath.
Stimulants:—1. Moderate friction with warm flannel, to be gradually increased on the left side. 2. The shower-bath, combined with friction. 3. Stimulating clysters, consisting of salt-water and oil: none of these remedies, however, must be resorted to, where the blood appears to be determined towards the heart and head.
As soon as the first symptoms of resuscitation become evident, the blowing of air into the nostrils, and aspersion of cold water on the face, ought to be continued: next, clysters, consisting of a strong solution of emetic tartar, ought to be administered; and the sugillations, or injured parts, be fomented with wine, in which chamomile flowers have been infused. Lastly, when the ability of swallowing is restored, the patient should take frequent draughts of vinegar diluted with cold water, and mild, cooling laxatives.
SWALLOW, the Common, or Chimney-swallow, Hirundo rustica, L. a well-known bird of passage, appearing in this country about the middle of April, and generally departing early in October. This bird constructs its nest, about the middle of May, in the upper part of chimnies. The female deposits from 4 to 6 white eggs, spotted with red, producing her first brood about the latter end of June, or beginning of July; and the second in August.
Swallows delight to skim along avenues, extensive walks, under hedges, pasture fields, and mown meadows; because, in such situations, flies and gnats generally abound. They also frequently settle on newly-ploughed gravelly soils, particles of which they instinctively swallow, for promoting the digestion of their food. These birds are caught, and sold as food, in the markets of France, Spain, and Italy; but not in Britain. By the myriads of insects which every single brood of swallows destroys in the course of a summer, they, in a great measure, defend mankind from the annoyance of flies, gnats, &c. Farther, by devouring multitudes of vermin, either in the grub, or winged state, which would otherwise render the labours of the husbandman abortive, the breed of these birds ought, by every possible means, to be encouraged.
It is remarkable, that some species of these useful creatures retire to warmer climates, while others
