and as an aid to digestion, which has been weakened by losses of the gastric juice.

When the patient begins to go to the table, he should avoid pastry, fat meats and all rich food, and after eating he should lie flat on his back for half an hour, or until digestion is well begun, when he may go on deck and walk or sit in a steamer chair, but he should not lean over the side or stern of the ship.

DROWNING.

There are three distinct periods of death from submersion, each of different length and each with clearly defined symptoms; the first, a period of struggles for breath; the second, a period of convulsions; and the third, asphyxia, ending in death.

During the first stage the following phenomena are observed: The person in the water sinks and then rises to the surface again; there is a violent feeling of shock with buzzing in the ears and a little stinging of the nose. Slightly dazed, an unconscious movement of inspiration is made, and the water coming into contact with the mucous membranes of the nose and larynx causes coughing. The victim then makes desperate efforts to save himself and holds his breath, and during this time the heart's action slackens. Then an intolerable desire for air comes on, suffocation begins, the lips become blue and the skin pale. Then the drowning man opens his mouth and makes an instinctive inspiration, which allows a large quantity of water to enter, part of which is swallowed, the remainder entering the larynx and causing coughing.

The second period then begins, characterized by loss of consciousness, insensibility and convulsive movements. The heart-beats continue to lessen, the body takes the position of a curve, with the head back and the limbs stiffened, with the fingers closed.

This is the opening of the third period. The muscles relax, the pupils become dilated and vomiting occurs, breathing stops after a few last struggles and the heart no longer beats. The time from the moment the victim

falls into the water until death occurs is rarely more than four or five minutes, although various incidents may modify the duration and either lengthen or shorten it. Thus, on the one hand, the voluntary movements made by the drowning person struggling as soon as he sinks may make his inspiration coincide with the moment he reaches the surface and has his face out of water. On the other hand, the process of digestion may shorten the period of resistance during submersion and hasten death.

HELP FOR DROWNING PERSONS.

Help to the drowning should comprise stimulation to the nervous system to restore sensation and artificial movements to set the breathing going again. The circulation should be quickened, heat and air introduced into the lungs.

As soon as the victim has been taken from the water he should be placed on his bac with his head well down, all clothing cut away from his neck, his mouth opened widely and kept so, his throat freed from any liquid it may contain and the "tongue process" be put into execution as quickly as possible. The tongue should be seized firmly between the fingers, covered with a piece of linen to prevent its slipping. It should then be drawn forward and allowed to go back fifteen times a minute in regular movements. It is absolutely necessary that the rescuer should be sure that these tractions affect the base of the tongue and not the point onlv. At the beginning of the process, for the first two or three tractions, it is useful to run a finger down the throat in the hope of producing vomiting.

At the same time two other persons should execute artificial respiration by employing energetic and ryhthmical pressure, one in a concentric direction on both sides of the chest, the other from below upward on the abdomen. The former should be made fifteen times a minute and should be followed each time by sudden and simultaneous release. Pressure on the abdomen and chest should alternate with traction on the tongue.

This should be kept up for at least a quarter of an

hour, during which period everything possible should be done to warm the patient.

When this has been methodically done the victim should be rapidly transported to the nearest shelter, all clothing removed, the body dried and wrapped in flannel and put to bed with the head low. If then breathing does not go on, artificial respiration should be renewed, using the process of drawing the elbows as far out as possible. A roll of clothes should be passed under the small of the back so as to throw the chest forward, the mouth kept open and the tongue drawn forward, and the rescuer, kneeling at the head, should seize the elbows, press them against the chest, draw them horizontally until they are at right angles, raise them vertically by the head, bringing them back to the wall of the chest fifteen times a minute for ten minutes. After this for another quarter of an hour the tongue process should be again resorted to, combined as before with the pressure process of artificial respiration, and the two methods should be alternated in this way for an hour at least. While this is being done still other persons can help in restoring circulation and heat by the following means: Rubbing the entire body, the soles of the feet and palms of the hands with hair gloves, coarse towels, hot cloths, etc., massage and kneading of the limbs; beating the surface of the body; hot water bottles, warmed irons or bricks, care being taken not to get them too hot.

If any attempt to breathe appears, ammonia or any object should be held before the nose or mouth. If symptoms of vomiting, run a finger into the throat. Nothing should be given to drink until consciousness has returned, except a few drops of cognac or vinegar for the purpose of bringing the drowned man back to his

senses.

It should never be forgotten that an attempt should always be made to help a man who appears to be drowned, no matter how hopeless the case may seem; and such efforts should be kept up for a long time. If a person has been under water for five minutes he can almost always be rescued and some have been saved after half an hour's submersion. Success depends on rapid and intelligent action in the presence of such an accident.

WHEN SHIPWRECKED.

An element in the situation is the ability or inability of a shipwrecked person to swim. By lying on the back, and merely keeping the mouth and nose out of the sea, one can remain alive for hours, or even days, without a life belt, provided that there are no waves to overwhelm him. One who has learned to swim has a degree of confidence and fearlessness when immersed on short notice that no one else can ever experience.

If a person is not a swimmer, but exercises only a little common sense and coolness, his chances of surviving are excellent. The captain of an Atlantic liner, who has received three medals for life-saving, has said that as a rule, a person who has donned a life belt and intrusts himself to the water, stands a better chance of escape thar. those who rush to the boats. A boat may capsize from becoming overloaded or striking the ship's side before she gets clear, especially if, in the necessities of the situation, it is not fully manned. But when one has a life belt on he can float, with his head and shoulders above the sea, for hours, and stands the best possible chance of being seen and rescued. Probably there is no one fact better worth remembering, when one is about to cross the ocean than this: If one knows where to find his life belt, has learned in advance just how to put it on in emergency, and then uses it when the peril of the hour demands, he may entertain little fear as to the result. He can afford to keep away from the boats and crowd, and pursue an independent policy.

The chief reason why so many persons lose their lives in a shipwreck is that they get "rattled." Confusion is sure to prevail if people do not know what to do. Those are the ones most likely to suffer. It is the person who has exercised some forethought, who does understand how to proceed, and therefore remains cool, who takes the wisest means to save himself.

One of the most interesting questions that is suggested by a disaster is, How long can a person survive who finds himself overboard, is not a swimmer, but wears a life-preserver? Well, those who should be experts in

matters of this kind say that much depends upon the weather and the vigor and sturdiness of the person. A delicate woman would not have the endurance of a hardened sailor or athlete. The chief evils to be anticipated are the chill from submersion, cramps of the stomach and deprivation of food and drink. If the sea does not beat up into one's face and choke him, he might keep alive for a day or two.

In heavy weather it is no uncommon thing for a steamship's boats to be carried away by a big wave. Hence it would be folly to cross the ocean without securing the boats thoroughly against any chance of this kind. The accusation that the boats are not lifted out of their chocks for months at a time, or in other respects are unfit for service, is almost invariably untrue. The Atlantic liners all have a thorough inspection of boats, and usually have the boats lowered into the water and rowed about for a mile or so for practice and test once a month. It is impossible for a ship to clear at Liverpool for the United States unless she has taken precautions of this kind.

Abaft.

NAUTICAL VOCABULARY.

Toward the stern.

About. To take the opposite tack.

Anchor. The heavy piece of iron which holds the ship at rest. Alee. On the side away from the wind.

Astern. In the direction of the stern.

Athwart. In a line across the ship.

Beating. Sailing against the wind by tacking.

Bow. The front of a vessel.

Bend. To fasten; as, to bend on a rope.

Berth. A ship's anchorage, or a narrow shelf for sleeping on. Block. A pulley.

Bolt Rope. The rope surrounding a sail to which it is sewed. Brace. A rope attached to a boom or yard by which they are moved.

Boom. The spar at the bottom of a sail by which it is extended. Bulkhead. A partition in the hull.

Bulwarks. The sides of a vessel surrounding and extending above the deck.

Cable. A strong rope or chain.

Cable's Length. About 200 yards, or 1-10th of a sea mile.
Caboose. A kitchen on deck.

Camel.

An arrangement for assisting a ship over shoals.

Carry Away. To break or lose a rope or spar.

Cat Block. The tackle block for hoisting the anchor.