328 FIRST AID TO THE INJURED 



neutralized thereby. In case of burning by an alkali, 

 vinegar should be substituted for the soda. The 

 subsequent treatment should be that prescribed for 

 burns. 



Frost-bite. The skin frozen by extreme cold should 

 first be gently rubbed with water from melting ice or 

 with melting snow. This treatment should be con- 

 tinued for several hours, in order to avoid the intense 

 inflammatory reaction which is apt to follow freezing. 

 If, in spite of this treatment, the skin becomes inflamed, 

 it should be treated as a burn. 



In all cases of severe burns, a physician should be 

 immediately summoned, since a burn which involves as 

 much as a quarter of the skin of the body may be quickly 

 fatal. 



Sprains. Sprains are another frequent form of in- 

 jury and are usually due to a wrenching force applied 

 to a joint. As we have seen in our study of ligaments, 

 a sprain usually involves some tearing of the ligaments 

 about the joint. In severe cases, it may even involve 

 the breaking off of portions of the bones to which the 

 ligaments are attached. 



Treatment: The immediate treatment for a sprain is 

 in general similar to that for a bruise, as the laceration 

 of the tissues leads to bleeding, swelling and pain. In 

 addition to such treatment, a splint (see Appendix C) 

 should be applied to the joint, to prevent pain and the 

 possibility of further injury. Sprains should always 

 be examined by a physician, that the extent of the injury 

 may be definitely determined in the beginning. Serious 

 disability has not infrequently arisen from a neglected 

 sprain, especially of the ankle. 



Dislocations. Dislocations are ordinarily due to the 

 same causes as sprains. The wrenching force must be 



