Anna Belle Hutton, age 16, of Biloxi, Miss., for her question:

WHY DO SOME PEOPLE FAINT?

Fainting is a temporary loss of consciousness. Fainting is caused by a rapid and great fall in blood pressure which results in a too small supply of blood to the brain.

Usually the rapid fall in blood pressure is caused by a mental or physical shock.

Fainting should be treated by letting the person lie stretched out with the head slightly lower than the body. The person's clothing should be loosened and then he should be given plenty of room and air.

In a few cases, hot applications to the back and legs can be used. A dash of cold water to the face or a whiff of ammonia to the nostrils is also sometimes helpful.

When a person faints, he usually becomes pale, begins to perspire and collapses as he loses consciousness. He also has a weak pulse and does not breathe regularly. Fainting usually lasts only a few minutes.