Sea-Sickness. - Sea-sickness is one of the most disagreeable ailments that exist, and its certain prevention has yet to be discovered. It is said to be due to the effect of the surrounding movement upon the eyes, and it is true that lying perfectly still with the eyes closed will often ward off an attack, even on a rough sea. Other authorities declare that the sickness is caused by the shaking of the fluid in the semicircular canals of the ears, and even advocate applying a local anaesthetic to the drums of the ears to reduce the sensitiveness of these parts. It seems, certainly, as if the nervous system, rather than the digestive apparatus, is affected, and that is why various nerve sedatives are prescribed in most of the "cures" for sea-sickness.

With regard to prevention and treatment, it has been truly said that the one certain way is to remain on shore, but in these days of travel this advice is not likely to be followed even by the most timid. A great deal can be done to reduce the suffering which sea-sickness imparts, even if it cannot be prevented altogether. Careful dieting for two or three days, by putting the digestive apparatus into good order, will prevent the extreme depression and attacks of "liver" which many people complain of after sea-sickness. A light meal should be taken before going on board. Those people who are only slightly susceptible to sea-sickness should remain on deck, choosing a central part of the ship, where the movement is less apparent. They should lie down on a deck-chair and remain as quiet as possible, keeping the eyes closed for a time until they are accustomed to the motion. The only safe medicine to take is perhaps twenty grains of sodium bromide; but it is best for each person to have the dose of medicine prescribed by his own doctor, as some people are more susceptible to narcotic drugs than others.

The mind has a very important influence upon sea-sickness. There are people who make up their minds that they are going to be sick, and by sheer force of suggestion feel sick before the boat has left the harbour. If these people determined that they would not be sick, if they would try to abstract their thoughts and concentrate their minds on something outside of themselves, it would make an immense difference. A fire or an accident on board would dispel the sea-sickness of nine people out of ten, simply because a stronger dominating influence is brought to bear upon the mind, and minor physical ailments are forgotten.

When sickness occurs, hot-water bottles to the stomach and to the feet, or a mustard leaf over the stomach on the left side just below the waist-line, will do good. Sucking ice or drinking small quantities of champagne helps to prevent vomiting and collapse. When seasickness lasts for some time, the patient should be encouraged to take such foods as liquid arrowroot or gruel or very hot milk. Even if these are vomited, the process is less painful than trying to be sick on an empty stomach, whilst the warmth of the liquid food counteracts collapse.

Shingles. (See Herpes.)

Shock. Thisis a condition of profound nervous and physical depression. It occurs after accidents or operations. The condition is a very serious one, and requires immediate treatment. Pallor, sickness, loss of voluntary movement, and apathy are marked symptoms. The circulation and respiration are feeble, and the pulse is small and rapid.

Treatment has been described fully under the Home Nursing section, and it will be sufficient to mention here that rest, warmth, and quiet are urgently needed. The patient should be wrapped in hot blankets, the head lowered, and the feet raised. When the patient is conscious, brandy may be given.

Short Sight. (See Myopia.) Sleeplessness. (See General Article.) Smallpox. As a result of the misdirected enthusiasm of conscientious objectors there is every likelihood that smallpox will become much commoner in the near future. In certain towns in England the number of unvaccinated people is so large that at any moment we may have an epidemic of a serious character. It is important, therefore, for people to recognise the earliest symptoms of the disease.

About twelve days after exposure to infection the patient is taken ill suddenly with shivering, rigors, followed by headache and severe pains in the back and legs. These pains associated with sickness and headache are very suggestive of smallpox. The temperature rises quickly up to 104 or 105 degrees, and the eruption comes out about the third day. In the case of an unvaccinated person the eruption is generally very severe. It begins as spots which enlarge, and can be felt like small shot beneath the skin. The spots are converted into little vesicles with watery heads, and these suppurate until each pock is filled with matter. In the case of a person who has been vaccinated the early symptoms may be slight, and the first thing to arouse suspicion is the characteristic eruption showing the little pox, each of which is depressed at the summit. As everyone knows, smallpox is intensely infectious, except in the case of a person who has been properly and recently vaccinated, when the risk of contracting smallpox is exceedingly slight. Various complications, such as bronchitis and pneumonia, and inflammation of the eye membranes may occur. In all cases patients should be under the care of a doctor, which generally means that they are taken to an infectious hospital.

Smoking Habit. It is only when smoking is indulged in by very young people or by their elders to excess that much can be said of the evils of the smoking habit. There is no doubt, however, that a great many boys and young men seriously injure their health by the excessive consumption of cigarettes. The boy who smokes a dozen, even twenty or thirty, cigarettes a day is bound to suffer from nicotine poisoning, especially if he practises inhaling the smoke into his lungs. The earlier sickness, nausea, and occasional vomiting which the novice in smoking generally experiences is simply the effect of this nicotine upon an unaccustomed system. After a prolonged course of nicotine in excess the digestion and nervous systems are affected for the worse. In bad cases there is a good deal of nervous tremor, and even muscular weakness. The palpitation is due to "smoker's heart," from the effect of the alkaloid nicotine on the nerves and muscles of the heart. Many people, even with a moderate amount of smoking, complain of eye troubles, whilst blurring or indistinct vision is a marked symptom from excessive smoking. There is no doubt that nicotine poisoning in young people will impair growth, produce anaemia and indigestion, and hamper mental and intellectual development. At the same time, in the case of adults who smoke moderately, the beneficial effects are in many cases marked. Smoking is a nerve sedative, and at the same time it exerts a beneficial influence upon the digestive system when practised in strict moderation.