Smelling salts
As smelling salts refers to various intensively smelling substances from 17th to the early 20th century to the upturn in dizziness - and fainting were held under his nose. Smelling sticks served the same purpose. Smelling salts are no longer used in modern first aid . Occasional use in sports is not recommended as it is believed to have no effect and may delay the initiation of necessary medical measures.
Most olfactory salts are based on ammonium carbonate , which dissociates ammonia in a moist environment . Ammonia is said to cause an increased breathing stimulus in the nose and lungs, which should then lead to a better oxygen supply to the patient. The raw material used was deer horn salt , one third of which consists of ammonium carbonate. The effect could be increased by adding ammonia to increase the proportion of ammonium carbonate.
As English smelling salts was formerly called ammonium carbonate, which with essential oils was perfumed. From smelling salts existing liquids also impact balm called, was filled in so-called vinaigrettes . At times when constricting clothing such as corsets were part of women's fashion and encouraged such seizures, they are said to have been quite common.
Smelling Salt today
Smelling salts have disappeared from modern first aid because there is no evidence of effectiveness and it can delay the initiation of necessary medical measures.
There are, however, close parallels to modern olfactory ampoules with ammonia, which are (re) used today for psychosomatic states of excitement: The extreme olfactory stimulus serves to reduce high tension , in particular as a high tension “skill” in the context of dialectical behavioral therapy , and it also works anti dissociative ; Dissociations often involve restricted movement and even impairment of consciousness, and extreme cases of dissociation can resemble unconsciousness. Smelling vials with ammonia can, among other things also with mentally-related (with) dizziness and fear of fainting in the context of coping with anxiety sstrategien (so to speak to, persevere in the situation ') can be used, although for the treatment of other methods - in particular exposure therapy - indexed are. Smelling ampoules are freely available in pharmacies in Germany.
Cultural reception
The well-known quote “Neighbor, your little bottle!” From Goethe's Faust refers to the use of smelling salts in liquid form.
Erika Fuchs used smelling salts for the translation of a Donald Duck story by Carl Barks ; In the translation that is still published today, smelling salt is used in the newly invented, highest "strength 5".
supporting documents
- ^ A b c P. McCrory: Smelling salts. In: Br J Sports Med. 40 (8), Aug 2006, pp. 659-660. PMID 16864561
- ^ Frank Schneider: Specialist knowledge of psychiatry and psychotherapy. Springer DE, 2012, ISBN 978-3-642-17192-5 , p. 357.
- ^ Stefan G. Hofmann: Introduction to modern cognitive behavioral therapy. Psychotherapeutic solutions. Springer, 2013, ISBN 978-3-642-35199-0 .
- ↑ Ernst Horst: Just no sentimentality! As Dr. Erika Fuchs moved Duckburg to Germany. Blessing, Munich 2010, ISBN 978-3-89667-406-7 , pp. 75-76.
