Convulsions
The condition causing a convulsion may be serious. Therefore a convulsion should be reported immediately to a physician. Meanwhile, though the cause is not yet known, the victim can be handled as follows:
WHAT TO DO
1. Place the victim on something wide and soft such as a bed or a thick rug so that he will not be injured by his involuntary motions-if on a bed, stand guard so that he will not fall off.
2. Loosen the clothing so as to reduce the danger of choking.
3. Put something blunt and soft (such as a small roll of cloth) between the victim's teeth so as to hold the jaws apart and thus reduce the danger of his biting his tongue.
4. Place the victim on his side rather than on his back; for, particularly in the case of a child, there is danger of vomiting and choking on the vomitus. Do not leave the patient face down because of the danger of smothering. Always keep his face turned to one side.
5. Breathing is usually interrupted for brief periods during a convulsion. If breathing stops completely for more than a minute or two, administer artificial respiration.
NOTE: Do not put anyone with convulsions in the bathtub. The thrashing movements of the convulsion can cause injuries here. Furthermore, the first aider will find it difficult to care for a person in a, bathtub.
6. In convulsions associated with high fever, reduce the body temperature as quickly as possible, wrapping the patient in a sheet wrung out of cold water. Then allow an electric fan to play on the wet sheet. This will cause rapid evaporation and will have a cooling effect. Cool sponging of the victim's skin produces a similar effect.
