smelling salts

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smelling salts

A nurse holds smelling salts under a patient's nose.

Definition

Noun: * A pungent preparation of ammonium carbonate and perfume; sniffed as a stimulant to relieve faintness: A small, solid preparation, often contained in a small bottle or capsule, that releases a strong, sharp odor when crushed or opened. It is inhaled to rouse someone from fainting, dizziness, or a state of lethargy.

Usage
  • Primary Use: Used as a first-aid remedy to revive a person who has fainted or feels lightheaded. The strong, irritating vapor triggers an inhalation reflex, stimulating the person to breathe more deeply and regain consciousness.
  • Context: Typically found in historical, medical, or dramatic contexts. While once common, their use in modern first aid is less frequent.
Examples
  • The Victorian lady carried smelling salts in her purse in case she felt faint in the crowded ballroom.
  • The boxer was revived with smelling salts after being knocked down.
  • In the old film, the character waved a vial of smelling salts under the fainting woman's nose.
Advanced Usage
  • Metaphorical Use: Can be used figuratively to describe something shocking or surprising that jolts people into awareness or action.
    • The scandalous report served as smelling salts for the complacent committee, shocking them into finally addressing the issue.
Variants and Related Words
  • Aromatic spirits of ammonia: A liquid preparation with a similar stimulant use, often considered a more modern or medical term for a related substance.
  • Reviver, stimulant: General terms for something that restores consciousness or alertness.
Synonyms
  • Restorative (a substance that restores health or consciousness).
  • Reviver.
  • Stimulant (a substance that raises levels of physiological or nervous activity).
Idioms and Phrases
  • To need (a dose of) smelling salts: Used humorously or hyperbolically to suggest someone is acting faint, overly dramatic, or out of touch with reality and needs to be shocked back to their senses.
    • When he heard the price, he looked like he needed smelling salts.
smelling salts

A nurse holds smelling salts under a patient's nose.

Noun
  1. a pungent preparation of ammonium carbonate and perfume; sniffed as a stimulant to relieve faintness