Few things are of greater importance, and nothing is more neglected than instructing school-children how to act in emergencies. Particularly is such knowledge of value in the country. In cities the need of understanding matters of this kind is not so great, since it is usually possible to secure at short notice some one capable of dealing with any situation that may arise. Children very quickly grasp knowledge of this character, and opportunities frequently offer for an actual demonstration of the proper remedies in the case of accidents. When the instructor speaks of cuts and burns they at once understand what is meant. The most serious result of our neglect in this particular is that our children pass through life with the most meagre knowledge of the proper way in which to meet accidents of all sorts, for where they are not taught during their school days they, for the most part, remain ignorant of matters of this kind throughout their maturer years. It is much to be hoped--though this is somewhat of a digression--that the old unscientific and senseless system of teaching, which persists even in the present time to a considerable degree, may in the future give way to a more rational and practical plan of instruction--one that will deal with perceptible needs rather than abstractions. The most common emergencies will now be taken up and considered in detail. _Drowning._--The subject of drowning is one of especial interest in rural districts, since it is here that accidents of this kind are most apt to occur, and skilled attention is most difficult to obtain. It is of the utmost importance to remember that people may be resuscitated after having been under the water for considerable periods of time, and we should, therefore, look upon no ordinary cases as hopeless until the proper restorative measures have failed. On removing the body from the water we should not waste time by attempting to drain the water from the victim's mouth, as the amount of this substance that enters the air-passages under such circumstances is so trifling that it may be entirely disregarded. The drowned person should be placed face down upon the ground with the head slightly turned to the left, and we should begin at once with artificial respiration.