smelling salts
Victorian swooning cure
Smelling salts are a pungent chemical compound, typically ammonia-based, held under someone's nose to revive them from faintness or unconsciousness.
The sharp smell triggers an inhalation reflex.
Once common in first aid kits and ladies' purses, they now appear mainly in sports sidelines and period dramas: The trainer waved smelling salts under the boxer's nose.
Temporary loss of consciousness
- consciousnessState of sentient awareness
- awakeningReturn to consciousness
- resuscitationRestoring vital functions
- alertnessActive mental awareness
rousing · recovery · swoon · reviving · stimulation · invigoration · animation · quickening
Acrid nitrogen-hydrogen gas
- inhalantSubstance taken through breathing
- syncopeTemporary loss of consciousness
- vasodilationRelaxation of vessel walls
- hypotensionAbnormally reduced arterial pressure
unconsciousness · paramedic · emergency · treatment · capsule · vial · ampule · Victorian
Combat sport using fists
- footballField sport with goals
- sidelineSecondary business pursuit
- locker roomShared space for dressing
- trainerOne who conditions others
concussion · knockout · dazed · athlete · sports · NHL · ringside · revival
Unpleasantly sharp-smelling
- sharpFine-edged, or astute
- stingingCausing sharp pain
- eye-wateringCausing tears to form
- bitingHarshly critical or cold
penetrating · harsh · intense · overpowering · noxious · irritating · caustic · strong
fainting
Temporary loss of consciousness
- consciousnessState of sentient awareness
- awakeningReturn to consciousness
- resuscitationRestoring vital functions
alertness · rousing · recovery · swoon · reviving · stimulation · invigoration · animation · quickening · reawakening
ammonia
Acrid nitrogen-hydrogen gas
- inhalantSubstance taken through breathing
- syncopeTemporary loss of consciousness
- vasodilationRelaxation of vessel walls
hypotension · unconsciousness · paramedic · emergency · treatment · capsule · vial · ampule · Victorian · vinaigrette
boxing
Combat sport using fists
- footballField sport with goals
- sidelineSecondary business pursuit
- locker roomShared space for dressing
trainer · concussion · knockout · dazed · athlete · sports · NHL · ringside · revival · banned
acrid
Unpleasantly sharp-smelling
- sharpFine-edged, or astute
- stingingCausing sharp pain
- eye-wateringCausing tears to form
biting · penetrating · harsh · intense · overpowering · noxious · irritating · caustic · strong · potent
- smellsmell, scent, odor, reek, aroma
- energizerscoffee, caffeine, energy drinks, energy drink, espresso
- wake-up thingsalarm clocks, roosters, coffee, espresso, caffeine
- wake-upsalarm, alarm clock, wake up call, reveille, rooster
- apothecarypharmacy, apothecary, drugstore, dispensary, pharmacist
- old remediescalomel, laudanum, tartar emetic, nostrum, patent medicines
smelling saltssedative
Drug promoting calm
chloroform · anesthetic · knockout drops · sleeping pills · ether
smelling saltslavender oil
Fragrant plant distillate
chamomile · valerian · muscle relaxant · anxiolytic · depressant
smelling saltssleeping draught
Drink causing drowsiness
anesthesia · sleep aid · sedation · Mickey Finn · nerve gas