Many lives have been lost due to shock. A tragic fact is that many of these deaths were needless because proper preventive ‘measures can eliminate or Lesson the danger of the shock. Shocks are of different types.

Traumatic Shock:

Traumatic shock, as defined by the American National Red Cross, is “a depressed condition of many of the body functions due to failure of enough blood to circulate through the body following serious injury.”

The possibility of shock is present when there is an injury, no matter how slight the injury may be. It may result from any physical injury such as a broken bone, puncture wound, burn, poisoning or hemorrhage. Even though an injured person may not exhibit any of the symptoms of shock, he should be given protective care because shock may develop later.

ADVERTISEMENTS:

Symptoms:

(i) Pale, cold, clammy skin resulting from blood rushing to the internal organs.

(ii) The pulse may be weak and rapid, or is some­times absent as the heart strives to pump blood throughout the body.

(iii) The eyes are vacant, dazed, luster less and the pupils dilated.

ADVERTISEMENTS:

(iv) There may be weakness, restlessness and appre­hension with a confused attitude.

(v) The victim may develop excessive thirst and also feel nauseated with or without vomiting.

(vi) The breathing will be shallow and irregular,

(vii) In some cases the victim will lapse into uncon­sciousness

ADVERTISEMENTS:

Protection:

Emergency protection for shock should be given to all persons who are injured, immediately after being assured that breathing is restored and that bleeding i3 stopped.

(i) The victim should be kept comfortably warm with a blanket.

(ii) The victim should be kept lying down. The legs should be lifted to ten inches if there is no pain; on elevation or difficulty in breathing.

ADVERTISEMENTS:

(iii) Liquids should be given if the victim is thirsty. It is better to give a solution of one teaspoon of salt and one-half teaspoon baking soda in a quarter of water.

(iv) If the victim is unconscious he should be remov­ed to the hospital as soon as practicable,

Psychological shock:

Psychological shock can occur in the event of emo­tional jolts, ‘such as the death of a loved one, or in cases of immense fear or tragedy. Some persons go into shock at the sight of excessive blood loss. In psychological shock there’ is no physical injury, but emotional injury can be just as damaging the symptoms and protection for psychological shock are similar to those of traumatic shock.

ADVERTISEMENTS:

Anaphylactic Shock

Anaphylactic shock is a severe. Usually immediate response of the body to a foreign protein it may be caused by drugs of medications particular pollen, a food or a bee or wasp sting.

Symptoms:

(i) There is pale, cold, clammy skin.

ADVERTISEMENTS:

(ii) The pulse may be weak or rapid.

(iii) The eyes are vacant, dazed and lack luster.

(iv) There is congestion of the lungs which results in severe coughing and difficulty in breathing.

(v) There is severe nausea, Vomiting and diaphragm due to swelling of the abdomen.

(vi) The victim may develop unconsciousness Protection.

It is necessary in anaphylactic shock to obtain medi­cal help immediately because an injection of epinephrine is’, imperative. It has been said that if the victim survives for 20 minutes after the allergic response, he has’ a good chance on recovery.