[Page] 95

CHAPTER XIII. On [one who has been] overcome by the foul air of a privy.

59. Among the common folk, being overcome by the fumes [lit. "holding of the head"] from a brazier [*gortsli*] or a stove happens very frequently, because they close the chimney [*truba*, the passage for smoke to pass through] too quickly and do not wait patiently for the wood to burn well, or they bring the brazier inside before the coals are well-glowing [not well heated]. In order to prevent this mishap, one must be cautious of the aforementioned causes. 60. The head of one overcome by the fumes of a brazier or stove will grow heavy and ache severely, the heart will palpitate [lit. "tremble"], the head will begin to spin, the eyes will grow dim, [the person] will become confused and will faint, and if aid does not arrive promptly, even death may occur. 61. When this mishap occurs, [the patient] must immediately be taken outside or moved to another room [*ot‘akh*]. Have [the patient] frequently smell vinegar, or spirits of ammonia [*anushadr*], or mustard mixed with vinegar. Have them frequently drink cold water mixed with a little vinegar, or lemon juice, or pomegranate syrup. Rub snow or ice upon the head, or soak a linen cloth in a mixture of cold water and vinegar and apply it to the head or forehead, and as it warms, replace it until the sick person regains consciousness. 62. If [the patient] faints severely, such that they have no consciousness at all, then they must be taken outside, their clothes removed, and laid upon some kind of spread [cloth]; and with a piece of broadcloth or woolen shawl soaked in cold water or vinegar, rub the entire body, especially the hands, feet, and chest. Hold before the nose vinegar, or spirits of ammonia, or mint kneaded with vinegar, and alongside this, tickle the mouth [or throat] with a chicken feather. If these remedies render no aid, then let a sufficient amount of blood from the arm, and administer a clyster [enema] just as is written in number 20 or 21, or insert into the fundament [lit. "sitting place"] a piece of soap the thickness of a finger, smeared with oil. If...