Ellis Edward Sylvester
Ellis's Primary Physiology. Or Good Health for Boys and Girls

CHAPTER VI
THE TEETH

Few boys and girls take proper care of their teeth. All of us admire a set of strong, sound, even, white teeth, and those who do not have such, will tell how sorry they are because in youth they were so careless that their teeth were ruined.

The teeth should be carefully cleaned each morning before breakfast. This is best done with a good brush, Castile soap, and lukewarm water. Use none of the numerous tooth-powders sold, and never pick your teeth with a metallic substance. Quill, wooden, or ivory tooth-picks only should be employed.

When the brush does not remove the stains from the teeth, the soft end of a small stick, covered with powdered charcoal will answer, though it should not be used often.

INJURIES TO THE TEETH

Very hot or cold food, or water, sweetmeats and acids injure the teeth. Children sometimes like to show the strength of their teeth by cracking hickory-nuts and other hard substances. This should never be done, as the nuts and substances may prove stronger than the teeth. The teeth are made of a soft kind of bone, covered with enamel. The bone part of the teeth soon decays if the enamel is broken.

TWO SETS OF TEETH

The first set of teeth, twenty in number, gradually become loose after a child is five or six years old, and the second set, thirty-two in number, crowds after them. The second are the teeth which are meant to last all our life-time, and they should be guarded, therefore, with the utmost care.

Sometimes the second teeth crowd so closely that the first become wedged in place. The old tooth should be removed, just as soon as the second can be discovered pushing after it. If this is not done, the mouth will be filled with crooked and unsightly teeth.

The mother or father of any boy or girl will readily draw a loose tooth, by means of a looped thread. Often, however, a brave child will pull his own teeth, without help. Be on the watch and clear the way for the second teeth. If you don't you will be sorry all your life.

Some children have poorer teeth than others, and the utmost care will not save them from decay. When the first speck appears, go to the dentist. Dentistry has made such improvements during the last few years, that the poorest teeth can be made to last a long time.

What is said of boys and girls?

When and how often should the teeth be cleaned? What should be used for that purpose? What is said of tooth-powders and tooth-picks?

How may stains be removed from the teeth?

What substances injure the teeth? What about cracking nuts and other hard substances with the teeth?

How many teeth has a child? A man? When do the second teeth begin to appear? How long is it intended they should last?

What sometimes takes place? What should be done? What will follow if this advice is not heeded?

How are loose teeth generally pulled? Have you ever known of a boy or girl pulling his or her own teeth? What must you watch for and do? Is there any need of such care?

What is said of some children? When should you go to the dentist?

CHAPTER VII
EXERCISE

Boys and girls are not likely to believe they need any instruction as to exercise. They are so fond of play that all they ask is a chance and they will use it to the utmost.

That form of exercise is best which brings most muscles into action. It should not be too violent nor continued after one is tired. It should be in the open air, and some kind of game is preferable because it also engages and interests the mind.

TESTS OF SKILL

Base-ball, rowing, foot-ball, hare and hounds, skating, lacrosse, lawn tennis and similar tests of skill have become so popular in this country that the young need to be restrained from indulging too much in them. After one's school-days are over and a young man takes up some sedentary occupation, he should manage to gain exercise every day.

The gymnasiums afford the best forms of exercise, but boys and girls can walk, run, and use some of the simpler forms of gymnastics at their homes. They should make sure they breathe pure air, that they do not form bad habits, and are regular in everything daily required of them.

What form of exercise is best? What should be guarded against? Where should it be? What is preferable?

What games are popular? What should every boy do, after his school-days are over?

What of the gymnasiums? What can be done by all boys and girls? Of what should they make sure?

CHAPTER VIII
THE ART OF SWIMMING

Every boy and girl should learn to swim. Instances are likely to arise, where a knowledge of the art will not only enable you to save your own life, but that of some dear friend.

When ready to take your first lesson in swimming, plunge into the water until the head and body are cooled. Then, standing where the water reaches your waist, lie down gently on your face, head erect as if walking, with the mouth just above the surface. Lift your feet from the bottom and strike them out in imitation of a frog. At the same instant or a second later, throw your arms, palms outward, from the front of your breast, drawing them in and striking out as before.

You will fail a good many times before you learn to swim, but do not give up. You will perhaps swallow some water, and in spite of all you can do, your head will drop more than once under the surface; but, if you will keep trying, you will soon find yourself able to make two, three or more strokes, before you sink. A little practice will complete your mastery of the art.

It is well to use helps at the beginning. A friend may hold up your chin, or a light float may be fastened behind your shoulders. The body of a person is very little heavier than water, and a slight exertion, rightly directed, will keep it afloat for hours.

FLOATING

The most important step, after learning to swim, is to learn how to float. A skillful swimmer may find himself overtaken by cramp while in deep water. He can turn upon his back and float until he recovers or help reaches him. In case of shipwreck, or where a person is forced to stay a long time in water, he can rest by floating.

Taking your position in water, no higher than your breast nor shallower than your waist, you lie very gently on your back, with your chest elevated, your hands on your stomach and your feet extended in a straight line, close to the surface. If you wish to swim on your back, you have only to draw up your legs and strike out as when swimming in the natural position. It is a poor method, however, as you cannot see in what direction you are going, and will soon exhaust your strength.

After learning to swim, there are many fanciful movements which can be easily learned. They have no special value, but afford amusement to those who look on or engage in them.

You cannot be too careful while learning to swim. Boys are apt to be venturesome and think their parents are too timid on their account. You should make it a rule never to go into water beyond your depth until you can swim very well. If this rule should be followed the number of deaths from drowning would be greatly lessened.

Why should every boy and girl learn to swim?

Give directions for the first lesson in swimming.

What is sure to follow?

What helps may be used at the beginning?

Show the advantage of knowing how to float in the water.

Show how a person may float.

What is said of fanciful movements in the water?

What care should boys exercise?

CHAPTER IX
HOW TO TREAT DROWNED PERSONS

Many persons are drowned every month, and almost every day. Hundreds doubtless could be saved by a knowledge of the art of swimming, while others could have been revived, had the proper means been used.

When any one believes he is drowning, he becomes frantic and his fierce struggles only hasten his death. If a friend swims to his rescue, there is danger that he will throw his arms around his rescuer and cause both to drown.

If the person in danger will keep still, when his friend seizes his hair or arm, he can readily be taken ashore. If a swimmer finds his sinking friend frantic, it may be necessary to strike him a violent blow between the eyes so as to stun him for a minute or two.

A drowning person generally rises twice before sinking the last time. Those who have been unconscious ten, fifteen, twenty minutes and sometimes longer, have been resuscitated or brought back to life. What is done, therefore, must be done without delay. Should you be present when a drowned person is taken from the water, you ought to know exactly what to do.

If any one can be spared to go for the doctor, let him run with all speed. The instant the body is brought to land, turn it upon the face, with a hard roll of clothing under the pit of the stomach. This roll can be readily made from your own clothing or that of others if present. Put one wrist of the patient under his forehead so as to keep his mouth off the ground.

Then, with your hands well spread upon the patient's back, above the roll of clothing, press down with the whole weight of your body, pushing forward at the same time. Repeat this two or three times, with quickness and vigor. The object of the movement is to force the water from the lungs, and it must occupy very little time, for there is none to throw away.

Having freed the lungs so far as possible from water, turn the patient on his back, face upward, with the hard roll of clothing beneath his back. Bend the head backward and downward, so that the throat is stretched to the utmost. Place his hands on top of his head, and, if there be any one standing near, let him tie the wrists with a single twist of the handkerchief.

All the clothing must be instantly stripped off to the waist. Kneel astride the patient's hips; grasp the front part of the chest on both sides of the pit of the stomach, your thumbs pointing to the patient's chin and your fingers fitting into the grooves between the short ribs.

Brace your elbows firmly, making them rigid with your sides and hips, while your knees serve as a pivot. Press the sides of the patient firmly together, throwing yourself slowly forward for a second or two until your face almost touches his and your whole weight presses upon his chest. End this pressure with a sudden short push, which will send you back to the kneeling posture.

Stop for two or three seconds, so as to allow the ribs to spring back into position. Then repeat this bellows-blowing movement as before, gradually increasing the rate from seven to ten times a minute. Watch closely, and if you detect a natural gasp, do not interrupt it, but as the ribs sink, gently press them and deepen the gasp into a long breath. Continue to give this help, until the natural breathing is fully resumed, but do not cease your efforts for fully an hour or longer.

Avoid impatient vertical pushes; the force must be upward and inward. If a second person is present, he should pull the end of the tongue of the patient out of a corner of his mouth and hold it there, using his handkerchief or piece of cotton rag. This helps to give the air free passage to and from the lungs.

What causes a great many deaths from drowning?

How does a person act when he believes he is drowning? What is he likely to do if a friend swims to his rescue?

What may be done if the drowning person keeps still? What, if he becomes frantic?

How often does a drowning person generally rise? How long after drowning has a person been resuscitated or brought back to life?

What about the doctor? Now, describe very carefully the first step to be taken the instant a drowned person is brought to land. What should be done with his wrist?

What next should be done? In what manner and how often should this be done? What is the object of the movement?

After freeing the lungs, so far as possible, from water, what is the next step? What should be done with his hands?

What of the patient's clothing? What next should be done?

Having placed yourself astride the patient's hips, describe what should be done next.

What are the next steps? What should be done if a natural gasp is detected? How long should you continue your efforts to restore the patient to life?

What should be avoided? What should be done by a spectator, if there be one?

Now tell me precisely what to do from the moment a drowned person is taken out of the water until he is resuscitated or it is proven he is beyond help. (The teacher must insist on an answer, correct in every particular, for it is evident that unless he knows every step, the pupil's knowledge is useless.)